Sandstone Castle Is An Otherworldly Destination In Arkansas' Richland Creek Wilderness
By Carol Ann Carson|Published May 26, 2020
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
Take a hike to the Sandstone Castle, an underrated natural wonder in the Richland Creek Wilderness. This spectacular rock formation is downright otherworldly. The trek may not be the easiest but the end view is worth the effort! Let’s start at another Arkansas gem as we scroll to the Sandstone Castle.
The Twin Falls in the Richland Creek Wilderness are a splendid destination but they're not the end goal for today's hike.
It's no secret that the Ozark National Forest has some of Arkansas' most unique natural features. Many of these are concentrated in the Richland Creek Wilderness Area including the Sandstone Castle.
After you've hiked to the Twin Falls, follow the creek further to reach the bluffs.
There's a couple of different routes to take to reach both the waterfall and castle features. Use AllTrails to see a GPS-friendly map of the Sandstone Castle via Twin Falls Trail. None of these are easy hikes so be sure to research your picked path carefully before heading out.
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If you glimpse a skull in the bluff then you know you've reached the Sandstone Castle.
The castle was allegedly a hideout for Civil War deserts and other criminals. The numerous "doors" to the castle do give good vantage points of the valley below.
Inside the castle you'll find a cavernous center room that's perfect for a lunch break.
It's a good way to remember you haven't left Earth - you're still in the Ozarks!
Have you ventured through the wilderness to reach these sandstone castles? We’d love to hear about your trek in the comments below! You can also add your photos to our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
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