The Ozark National Forest is filled with delightful natural treasures, like today’s unique feature we are eager to share with you! This Arkansas sand cave hike leads to an otherworldly Richland Creek Wilderness sandstone cave. The rugged trail to this cave is well worth the effort, so let’s lace up our hiking boots and began the trek.

You don't need to look far to find your next Ozark adventure.
Google/Chris Keller
The beloved Richland Creek Wilderness spans over 1 million acres and includes some of the most scenic hiking in the world. This trail is in the northeastern corner of the forest, off of Highway 123.
The Richland Creek Wilderness is a natural paradise of waterfalls, vistas, and unique rock formations.
AllTrails/Justin Harrel
The recreation area is perfect for anyone needing to reconnect to nature. The rec area also has primitive camping to turn your day hike into a weekend getaway.

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Along one of Richland Creek's more well-known trails lies an extra chance for adventure.
AllTrails/Doug Neidholdt
Most Arkansans are at least aware of Richland Creek's Twin Falls (which is an excellent hike if you're up for it). Using Twin Falls Trail, we can head to an even more remote feature.
The sandy cave is actually a cavernous castle caved from sandstone.
Google/Richard Loghry
The trail is a 6.8-mile long out-and-back off of the Twin Falls Trail. We don't recommend this trek for inexperienced hikers or families with younger kids. That said, if you're up for the bushwhack, it's well worth it! After following the ridge line farther up from Richland Creek, the primitive trail will lead to an impressive sandstone castle.
The eroded bluff is spacious enough to provide an afternoon of exploration, if not longer.
Google/Chris Keller
The fit-for-royalty castle is spacious enough that you can even set up lunch! Be sure to research the hike further before you set off. Use this GPS-friendly AllTrails map for a helpful guide to the castle.

Have you tackled the challenging trail to reach this natural gem? We’d love to hear about your hiking experience in the comments below! You can also add your trail 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.

For more information about the Richland Creek Wilderness, be sure to check out its page on the U.S. Forest Service website.

For another Natural State hidden gem, read on about this 13th-century-style French castle.

A lot of hikers also love to go camping. If you’d like to try it in an RV but don’t have one, visit RVShare. And whether you are new to RVing or are a seasoned pro, here are some great RV tips for your next adventure!

If you’re still in the mood for more Arkansas adventures, take a look at this video about the art of fly fishing:

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

More Adventures in Arkansas

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | July 10, 2023

Where else can we go hiking in Arkansas?

  • The highest point in Arkansas is the North Rim Trail in Mount Magazine State Park which meanders through a hardwood forest, several creeks, and to a scenic overlook.
  • Hiking as well as mountain biking through beautiful woodland area is part of the experience at the Little Blakely Trail in Lake Ouachita.
  • The Yellow Rock Trail in Devil’s Den State Park is a moderately difficult trail ending at a 300-foot-high summit.

Read on to learn about some other great places to go hiking in Arkansas.

Where can we find scenic trails in Arkansas?

  • The Lost Valley Trail in Ponca meanders past a cave, waterfall, and several natural bridges.
  • The Nebo Rim Trail located in Dardanelle meanders past a beautiful waterfall along its three-plus mile length.
  • In Winslow you’ll find the Moonshiners Cave Trail which also features a beautiful waterfall and an intriguing cave.

Read on to learn about some of the other beautiful scenic trails in Arkansas.

Where can we find campgrounds in Arkansas?

  • The Sam's Throne Recreation Area in Mt. Judea features primitive campsites, hiking trails, and rock climbing.
  • The Steel Creek Campground in Compton has campsites along the Buffalo National River and offers a wealth of activities.
  • In Mountain View, the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area features an array of campsites, underground cavern, and hiking trails.

Read on to learn more about some other fun campgrounds in Arkansas.

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