Petit Jean State Park

Cedar Falls is a rugged waterfall with a 95-foot drop into a shady, cliff-ringed canyon in the heart of Petit Jean State Park. It is quite photogenic as it tumbles in a wide sheet down into a deep grotto, plus after a good rain it really roars. The base of the falls looking up at the drop with the creek and big boulders for foreground is the perfect spot to set up your gear. The canyon stays shady most of the day, which suits the waterfalls nicely, as soft or overcast light keeps the spray and rock looking even. A tripod with a slow shutter will smooth the water out. The falls are at their fullest from late winter through to spring but can slow to a trickle in a dry summer. If you are shooting in the late summer try to go after some rain. There is an overlook on the top for a view from above, though shooting from the bottom gives you the most variety in experimenting with angles. Getting there is easy, the Cedar Falls Trail starts right behind the historic Mather Lodge, where there is a large parking lot. It is roughly a two-mile hike (round trip) down into the canyon and back. It is steep in a couple of spots but those sections are short and well-marked. Like all Arkansas state parks, there is no entry fee, so you can come and go as you please. All in all a fun spot, and an easy way to spend a day if you are anywhere near central Arkansas. (Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas, USA)