RICHLAND CREEK
Outdoor writer/photographer Corbet Deary has been writing about drive-friendly locations during the pandemic. Richland Creek Wilderness Area offers the opportunity to see two separate waterfalls from the road’s edge. See article on
Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about taking a drive through Richland Creek Wilderness Area.
There’s no doubt about it. The spring season is, by far, my favorite time of the year. It’s a time when native wildflowers paint the forest floor, that only weeks prior was bland and appeared lifeless.
The forest canopy glistens with crisp green foliage, fishing is unsurpassed, the toms are beckoning their hens, the temperatures are pleasant, and seasonal rains have swollen our creeks and rivers.
That all being said, there are hardly enough hours in the day to absorb all of the magnificence awaiting throughout Arkansas. In fact, I’ll go one step farther, and suggest that one cannot even remotely experience what lurks right here in our neck of the woods. That’s right, one could remain occupied without ever leaving the Ouachitas.
But that’s certainly no indication that one should avoid straying a little farther from home from time to time, especially when we reside in a state that is so diverse. In fact, each section of Arkansas produces a noticeably different environment.
I am partial to the Ouachitas, and for good reason. First and foremost, I am extremely familiar with the area. And the fact that the Ouachitas are situated right here in our backyards must be taken into account, as well. There’s something to be said for the luxury of knowing where to fish, where to hunt, where the wildflowers will be bountiful and where the most photogenic spots are concealed.
I am obviously a creature of habit. However, even though I savor the luxury of familiarity, I still enjoy the opportunity to stray out and experience other environments and unfamiliar landscapes. And I often gravitate in the direction of the Ozarks when the urge to explore new and exciting territories beckons.
Well, we recently struck out in a northward direction, shortly after Sandy arrived home from work on a Saturday afternoon.
The excursion had been devised on the spur of the moment. And in turn, we had no itinerary. In fact, Sandy was still browsing for a potential destination, via the internet, when we pulled from the driveway.
But it didn’t take long for that bride of mine to find the perfect location. And following a short discussion, we were anticipating a drive through the Richland Creek Wilderness Area.
The destination was relatively easy to find. We traveled on Highway 7 for about 38 miles north of Russellville and turned right onto Highway 16 at the Pelsor community.
Remain east on Highway 16 for about 9 miles to the Ben Hur Community, and take a left at the Falling Water Horse Camp sign (Forest Road 1205/County Road 68/Upper Falling Water Road). It will be the first dirt road on the left after entering Ben Hur.
The first few miles of the dirt road will wind through typical forest lands, and will eventually make its way alongside a creek on the right-hand side of the road. Keep an eye out for a small waterfall during this section of the drive.
There is a wide spot at this point where folks pull to the shoulder and get a better perspective. In fact, the small falls are literally a stone’s throw from the road’s edge.
However, this little set of falls is but a prelude to what lurks just a little farther up the road. In fact, be prepared to cast your eyes upon one of the most beautiful scenes throughout the entire journey at 2.3 miles into the drive.
We’re talking an incredible scene. The sheer beauty of the creek pouring over a shelf spanning the entire waterway is more than enough to deem this drive-worthy. But it is even more special in the sense that very few waterfalls are situated in such a close vicinity of a well-maintained road. And in turn, even those who are physically impaired can experience the beautiful natural occurrence from their vehicle.
The waterfall is obviously a popular destination, as a number of vehicles were parked alongside the road’s edge during our recent excursion, and rightfully so. The waterfall is nothing less than beautiful, as it dumps over the sheer structure and falls several feet into the pool below.
And the pool appeared to be a very popular destination, for those who simply enjoy playing in the water. Although I wouldn’t necessarily advise it, folks were jumping from atop the shelf into the pool. And in spite of the cool water temperatures during the spring season many were simply swimming in its waters.
The route will continue to parallel the drainage area for several miles, lending to an opportunity to catch occasional glimpses as the creek cuts its way through a jagged terrain in the deep draw below
The route runs alongside an old homeplace, on the left, at 4.4 miles and crosses a onelane bridge 5.2 miles into the journey. This little spot also lent to one of the highlights of our excursion, as wildflowers were aplenty.
In fact, we opted to stop and browse the road’s edge after noticing a colony of wild geraniums blooming along the ditch-line. I was amazed at the number of wildflower species taking root within sight of the road.
I was impressed when we happened upon a purple trillium in full bloom, but I grew even more exciting upon noticing a colony of bloodroots. Of course, they had already made their annual showing, but to find this specific species taking root within a foot or two of the road lent to yet one more opportunity for folks who are physically impaired to see something that often lurks in areas where they cannot easily access. Keep an eye out for a serene setting, on the left, as a small branch quietly cascades over the jagged substrate at 5.4 miles. And a huge boulder outcrop will lurk on the right-hand side of the road at 6.5 miles.
The journey has remained fairly level up to this point, but bear in mind that we are in the Ozarks. And the Ozarks are noted for mountainous terrain. So up we go shortly after crossing the one-lane bridge to yet another scene that is common through the northern section of the state.
I am talking about a view of a distant limestone bluffline. You can’t miss it lurking on the right-hand side of the road.
The route begins a descent shortly thereafter and makes its way to the Richland Creek Recreation Area at 9.1 miles. This is a spot where one can certainly spend some time. In fact, I might just return to this particular spot when the pandemic is behind us and the recreation area is opened back to the public.
We continued on, after enjoying the view upstream from the bridge, and remained straight at the intersection 14 miles into the drive. Eventually heading up a slight ascent, we enjoyed a nice view of distant mountains at 15.4 miles and drove alongside a farm a few miles farther down the road.
We continued through a rural area, remained straight at 20.5 miles and finally reached pavement again, 23.4 miles into the drive. Taking a left onto Highway 123 about a mile later, we remained straight onto Highway 7 1.4 miles later and veered left to remain on the highway leading back home in two more miles.
I couldn’t help but ponder how beautiful this particular section of the state was during our recent excursion. And I anticipated our next opportunity to embark upon a drive through the Richland Creek Wilderness Area again in the near future.