Haw Creek Falls: campground and access
Haw Creek Falls is a modest, low drop on Haw Creek, worth the stop mainly because it sits right next to a free, 9-site national forest campground rather than because of its size. The short walk from any campsite to the water takes minutes, and both camping and day use here cost nothing. It's one of the stops in our waterfalls in Arkansas guide, in the same free-access Ozark National Forest cluster as Natural Dam and Glory Hole; the wider waterfall finder covers the other states.
No sourced coordinates are on file for this spot yet — see methodology.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | Near 35.677°N, 93.255°W, northeast Johnson County, per campground directories that republish Forest Service recreation data |
| Height | Roughly 5 to 8 ft; trail guides give slightly different figures for this modest drop |
| Access | Short walk from the Haw Creek Falls Campground on AR-123, about 14 miles north of Hagarville or 12 miles west of Pelsor (Arkansas.com listing) |
| Campground | 9 designated sites, vault toilets, no potable water, pack-in/pack-out, first-come, first-served |
| Fee | Free for both camping and day use (Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, 2026 recreation fee schedule) |
| Legal status | Public land, Ozark National Forest (U.S. Forest Service, Haw Creek Falls) |
| Access note | The road in crosses a low-water bridge that can flood during heavy rain |
Campground and access
From Hagarville, AR-123 runs north about 14 miles to the Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area, where 9 first-come, first-served campsites sit within easy walking distance of the falls. Coming from the east, it's about 12 miles west of Pelsor on the same highway. Neither camping nor day use carries a fee here, per the Forest Service's own page for the site and its 2026 fee schedule. There's no potable water on site, so bring your own, and the pack-in, pack-out policy means no trash service either.
The access road crosses a low-water bridge at the entrance, which the Forest Service flags as subject to flash flooding. Treat any period of heavy rain as a reason to check conditions before driving in; the bridge can be impassable when the creek runs high.
The falls
Haw Creek spills over a wide, low rock ledge just steps from the campsites, more a scenic backdrop for the campground than a destination waterfall on its own. The Ozark Highlands Trail passes through the recreation area (around mile 104 of the route, by published trail guides), so through-hikers on the long walk across the forest pass right by it.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from the U.S. Forest Service's recreation page for the site and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests 2026 recreation fee schedule, cross-checked against the Arkansas.com listing and published trail guides. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Access and road conditions change with weather; verify current conditions with the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests before you go. Last checked September 2026.
FAQ
Is there a fee to visit Haw Creek Falls?
No. Both camping and day use are free at the Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area.
How do you get to Haw Creek Falls?
Take AR-123 north from Hagarville about 14 miles, or west from Pelsor about 12 miles. The falls sit a short walk from the campground's 9 designated sites.
Does Haw Creek Falls Campground have drinking water?
No. There's no potable water on site, so bring your own, along with everything you'll need to pack back out.
Can the road to Haw Creek Falls flood?
Yes. The access road crosses a low-water bridge at the entrance that the Forest Service flags as subject to flash flooding during heavy rain.
How tall is Haw Creek Falls?
Sources vary, putting it at roughly 5 to 8 feet. It's a modest, low drop rather than a dramatic waterfall.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked September 2026. Read our full methodology.