A Little Closer To Heaven

A slot canyon in Arkansas?

That’s what I thought too until I came across this beautiful picture taken by Tim Ernst a few months back. I had to know where it was and check it out for myself. So I shot Tim Ernst an email asking…and to my surprise…he answered! I immediately called one of my friends up and told him we have to give this place a visit.

It was an awesome place indeed. It starts as a typical creek bed in the woods and after following the creek about half a mile, narrow canyon walls just appear almost like a doorway. We headed into it amidst the horrible smell of a rotting carcass of some animal who probably fell in (most likely an armadillo, those things are so stupid). What we found was something that belongs in Utah or Arizona. But it’s not…it’s in the middle of the Ozarks.

Following the canyon became pretty difficult after a while. Though it was nearly dry, there was a little running water and the rocks were VERY slippery. There are a few places that require some pretty technical climbing and we were not prepared for that. But, being the idiots we are…we did it anyways. First, you come to a 9 foot boulder that you cannot go around. The only thing to do is press your back against one side of the canyon (that’s nearly 50 feet high in places), place your feet on the other and work your way over it.

Once you get on top of the boulder…you are treated to the beautiful waterfall found on Tim Ernst’s website . That is as far as most people attempt to go…but I’m not most people. The waterfall is about 10 feet tall and definitely seems impassible. However, my friend is about 6 foot tall and I’m about 5′ 8. I held his foot while he climbed the fall and then he helped me up (very dangerous…bring climbing equipment).

We continued through the canyon for another 1/2 mile or so (until we could go no further) climbing over perilous boulders and trying not to lose our grip and slide into the stagnant water. Then, we retraced our steps and headed back. It is definitely somewhere I will return…but probably with the right equipment and a little more water running to wash out the stagnant water and parasites. Still, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and probably the most unique place in Arkansas.

Check it out for yourself:

From Harrison, take Highway 7 South to the Camp Orr turnoff on the right hand side.. Follow the gravel road to the parking lot on the right and park. Follow the trail to Twin falls. When you get to the falls, go around them and head up the creekbed about half a mile or so until you reach the canyon. This is NOT recommended without the right equipment or you will not get very far without getting hurt. Watch out for flash floods.

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