A 95-foot waterfall at the bottom of Petit Jean State Park's Cedar Creek Canyon, reached by a well-known 2-mile round trip.
Cedar Falls drops roughly 95 feet into a grotto at the base of Cedar Creek Canyon, on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton. The Cedar Falls Trail begins behind Mather Lodge and descends about 1 mile each way, losing and then regaining several hundred feet of elevation as it follows Cedar Creek under rock overhangs and around boulders to the falls.
Arkansas State Parks and most trail guides rate the route moderate to strenuous for its length, mainly because of the climb back out of the canyon. The reward is one of the park's signature views: a tall, narrow plunge into a tree-ringed pool. Wear real footwear, since footing near the base can be wet and uneven, and check current trail conditions before heading down.
Know before you go
Petit Jean State Park; trailhead behind Mather Lodge.
Year-round; flow is best after rain.
Cedar Falls Trail, about 2 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous.
No separate waterfall fee; standard Arkansas state park access.
Not accessible; steep, uneven canyon trail with real elevation change.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- Arkansas State Parks — Petit Jean, Trails & Waterfalls ↗
- Arkansas.com — Cedar Falls Trail (National Recreation Trail) ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
