Lost Valley

[NaturalStateReb]

Review by Kayla:

Lost Valley wasnt my favorite place to camp but it was nice and the cave was pretty fun. Well it would have been really fun but the walk/climb to it is pretty long and breathtaking in more ways than one. Its a pretty cool cave but its a long trip to it!

[NaturalStateReb]

A nice hike to a cool cave.  The hike is not too bad at all(a 3, 5, and 7 year old made the hike fine).  A short drive down to Ponca to watch the Elk in the evening.  Some camp sites need to be leveled out.  But overall it is a good camping experience.

[NaturalStateReb]

Lost Valley is possibly the prettiest place in Arkansas.  The relatively short hike (a mile or so) which ends at Eden Valley Falls and Eden Valley Cave, is a spectacular hike, literally chock full of amazing sights and sounds, particularly in the one of the rainier seasons.  You'll pass creeks, caves, bluffs, boulders, and all manner of interesting flora and fauna. 

The campground itself isn't as spectacular, but it's entirely adequate.  The sites are oriented along the left side of the drive and a small portion of the trail.  Some of the sites are situated behind the first row of sites, and that's where I'd try to pitch my stuff.  If you like company, try one of the sites near the trail.  My worry here is that either hikers would bother us, or we'd bother them.  The area is well maintained.

If you're looking for an additional experience after the hike into Lost Valley, try the Ponca Elk Education Center operated by the Game and Fish Commission that's about 2 miles away in Ponca.  The kids will love it.

[cliftoncb]

I have to agree that this is one of the prettiest places in Arkansas.

The camping area looked well maintained and was clean.  There was a LOT of trafic when we were there, but that's to be expected at
this time of the year.

We were a little concerned when we first started up the trail because the creek was dry.  But it wasn't long before we began to hear water.

The closer we came to the falls, the higher the humidity became and the more vivid the green all around became.  The green surrounding us and the falls themselves were absolutely stunning.

I went partially into the cave but didn't make all the way to the falls inside.  I was told afterward that there was a passage to the right that would have allowed me to stand up all the way but I didn't see it.  Maybe next time I'll look for it specifically now that I know it's there.

Here are a few pictures.