Moonshiners Cave Waterfall - Devil's Den State Park

Moonshiners Cave Falls - KSJ

Moonshiners Cave may be one of Devil’s Den’s lesser known features, in part, because it is found on the perimeter, before the squiggly descent into the splendid valley. The entry for this unmarked trail is found roughly 80 feet behind the perimeter sign for the park, located on highway 78 (which connects to Interstate 49). Just find the sign. Park and walk into the park till you see a worn path on your left.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arkansas/moonshiners-cave-trail

Moonshiners Cave falls, roughly 20 feet tall, is a highly seasonal, grotto pour.  The falls exhibit strong arching-flow after solid and sustained rains. The real treat of the space is the man-made component, a wall crating a hideaway in the shallow cave, used presumably to make and hide moonshine.

After posting an initial picture, I learned that the Moonshiner’s room has been damaged and defaced by vandal hikers in recent years. Mike Price writes:

It is sad how much has been destroyed there the past year or two. There used to be a large beam over the doorway but it was pulled down and burned in a fire pit out in front. along with a large rock from the door or wall that had an engraved date (1905) Crazy to think someone lugged that rock out of there.

People! Leave this stuff alone!



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At just over a half-a-mile round trip, the trek to Moonshiners Cave makes for a good family hike. I call this one “moderate.” My old man knees felt the grade, but didn’t suffer long. Only trick, when descending the trail, stick to the left hand side of any fork. We met one couple who took a bunny trail that led them away from the falls.

On Waterfalls and Tim Ernst

The Arkansas Waterfall Guide by photographer, writer, and explorer extraordinaire, Tim Ernst-- now in its second and a half printing (2014) -- is the penultimate guide to all things waterfall in Arkansas.  Anyone with more than a passing fancy in savoring waterfalls in Arkansas, should make a bee-line to Tim Ernst store and buy a copy for themselves. http://timernst.com/Products/H2O.html

In the years since the initial printing in 2003, Ernst has provided essential directions for  thousands of waterfall enthusiasts.   There are now several large communities on Facebook given to nothing other than waterfall photography.  A handful of photographers have  gone on to create images that rival or surpass images created by Ernst.  Few have equaled his range, and none have provided his service.  

I do not know how many years it took Ernst to assemble this collection.  Not only did he hike to these many places and take detailed notes, he has worked to diligently show each waterfall in its full-on glory.  If there is any drawback to this guide -- If you go to these same falls off season, you may not find flow you encounter on the page.

The Arkansas Waterfall guide is not exhaustive.  A skilled photographer who lives in the Ouachita Mountains tells me that while Ernst has plumed into the Ozarks, he has yet to highlight any number of gems in the Ouachitas.  There is always the prospect that Ernst has chosen to keep some finds secret, or honor private property rights by capping information.

That said.  Buy the book.  Study it.  Then, when you capture images, consider sharing your images with one of these several communities.

(Facebook) The Waterfalls of Arkansas:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WaterfallsOfArkansas/

(Facebook) Arkansas Waterfalls
https://www.facebook.com/groups/arkansaswaterfalls/




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Other recommendations: 
https://www.arkansas.com/articles/finding-arkansass-waterfalls


https://www.alltrails.com/lists/arkansas-waterfalls