Hemmed-In Hollow Falls
- Height
- 210 ft
- Hike
- 2.5 mi each way
- Elevation gain
- 1400 ft
- Road
- Gravel
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Hemmed-In Hollow Falls only runs after rain or snowmelt. Hemmed-In Hollow Falls is a 210 ft waterfall in Newton County, Arkansas. Reaching it is a 2.5 mi hike each way with 1400 ft of elevation gain.
Closures and warnings
NPS: Hemmed-in Hollow is among the most frequent search-and-rescue locations at Buffalo National River. Steep trail, dehydration, and heat illness risk. Not recommended for children under 12. As of March 9, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 210 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow | Only after rain or snowmelt |
| Flow note | NPS: cascades nearly 210 ft; highest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians. Flows only after considerable rain. |
Access
| Hike | 2.5 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 1400 ft |
| Road | Gravel |
| Road note | Compton Trailhead: from Harrison take Hwy 43 south ~18.5 mi to Compton; turn left on dirt road across from post office, 1 mile to trailhead |
| Parking | Compton Trailhead parking; no restroom at the trailhead |
| Fee | No entrance fee for Buffalo National River |
| Hours | Day hike; plan the entire day |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Wheelchair access | Steep, rugged, highly strenuous; not accessible |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Buffalo National River, Ponca Wilderness) |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Hemmed-In Hollow Falls open?
NPS: Hemmed-in Hollow is among the most frequent search-and-rescue locations at Buffalo National River. Steep trail, dehydration, and heat illness risk. Not recommended for children under 12. As of March 9, 2026. Hours: Day hike; plan the entire day.
How tall is Hemmed-In Hollow Falls?
Hemmed-In Hollow Falls drops about 210 ft.
How long is the hike to Hemmed-In Hollow Falls?
It's a 2.5 mi hike each way with 1400 ft of elevation gain. The road in is gravel. Compton Trailhead: from Harrison take Hwy 43 south ~18.5 mi to Compton; turn left on dirt road across from post office, 1 mile to trailhead. Parking: Compton Trailhead parking; no restroom at the trailhead.
Do you need a reservation for Hemmed-In Hollow Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Hemmed-In Hollow Falls?
The fee is No entrance fee for Buffalo National River.
When is Hemmed-In Hollow Falls flowing?
It only runs after rain or snowmelt, so it is often dry. NPS: cascades nearly 210 ft; highest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians. Flows only after considerable rain.
What are the rules at Hemmed-In Hollow Falls?
Dogs are not allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Just outside: Buffalo National River (0.9 mi) .
Sources
2
- https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-to-hemmed-in-hollow.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis / elevationGainFt, access.roadNote / parking / hours, rules.dogs, waterfall.heightFt / ephemeral / flowNote, hazardNote)
- https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)