Bear Creek (Big Piney trib), Arkansas, US

Headwaters to Big Piney Creek (4.1 miles)

Baby Bear Falls

Baby Bear Falls
Photo of Shelby Johnson by Lance Jones

Gauge Information

River Description

Note: The combination of Steep banks and lots of dead red oak trees (thanks to the borer beetle infestation) tend to clog the creek with wood from time to time, so keep look out.

This is a very small creek. Tight slots, fast slides, waterfalls, undercuts. Highlights are three waterfalls and three long slides. Gradient in the 0.5 mile waterfall section is ~350 ft/mi.

Put-in: Go 4 miles West on Hwy 123 from Pelsor (Sand Gap) and take Forest Service Road 1802 (Pope County Road 14) South. This road is located midway between two small cemeteries along Hwy 123. The road runs the ridge on the West Side of Indian Creek. Drive about 1.3 miles and look for a primitive camp on the left at the West Side of Mc Minn Knob. Park at the camp and carry down the trail directly across the road. The trail immediately passes by a small pond. Follow the faint trail North to the end of the knob and then down the mountain. The trail continues North and crosses a small creek. Bushwhack to the left on the North side of the creek to the main creek. This is where the 3 upper forks come together at a long slide. (Elevation 1490)

Take-Out: Reach the take-out by continuing West on Hwy 123 toward the Big Piney at Fort Douglas. Upon reaching the Big Piney bridge, turn around and head back East for 1/4 mile. The Hwy crosses over Sugar Creek in a right hand turn then curves left up the hill. Look for the first road to the right (South). Another primitive hunter camp is located here. A 4WD trail leads 1/4 mile to the creek just above the confluence with the Big Piney. (Elevation 720)

This is a small creek with lots of action. Watch for wood and take 'Papa Bear Falls' very seriously.

Check out some video from this creek in the Ozark Update section of LVM issue #13.

More info and photos at:
Bear Creek
Ozark Whitewater Page