WaterfallNear Me

Shady Lake Cascade

Polk County, Arkansas

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
27 ft (8.2 m)
Location
Polk County, Arkansas
Access status
Current overlook access unconfirmed
The walk
Short reported descent; distance not measured
Ground & access
The firsthand report describes slick rock below the overlook. Recreation.gov currently instructs visitors to stay off the dam; do not use it as a walking route.
Visitor source and access details
Shady Lake Cascade, AR.
Shady Lake Cascade, AR.
Photo creditPhoto: Valis55, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bryce Alexander identifies the natural cascade beside Shady Lake’s dam and describes viewing it from the overlook area with a short descent. The exact current permitted viewpoint and walking route need confirmation after changes to the recreation area.

Plan your visit

Dam-overlook area beside Forest Road 38

The 2016 account describes a short downhill walk from the overlook. Distances for the complete Shady Lake or Tall Peak trails are not distances to this cascade.

The firsthand report describes slick rock below the overlook. Recreation.gov currently instructs visitors to stay off the dam; do not use it as a walking route.

Where to start

The 2016 report identifies a parking spot at the dam overlook beside FR 38, before the campground entrance. Current authorization for that specific stopping place has not been confirmed.

Timing & water

Recreation.gov lists facility operation from April 15 through November 30. Confirm access outside that season.

Before you go

Recreation.gov lists paid day use. Confirm the applicable day-use charge locally; camping reservation charges are separate.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Arkansas

Waterfall location

Polk County, Arkansas.

Open location map