Waterfall Wonder: Short Grotto Falls, Arkansas

Short grotto falls, bring your ankle floaties 😅

To concur with Mark Mueller's review, yes, stay off 1524. Was going to use it to get back to camp after leaving Grotto trailhead. It is basically a logging trail (just wide enough for a Jeep at some points) and there are deep ruts in spots. After doing a small walk ahead to check the terrain we decided to double back and go the way we came because we found it was about to be a steep downhill descent followed by a sharp turn only big enough for a side by side or 4-wheeler to navigate. Very relieved to have made that decision after reading MM's review. If you were to drive all the way down to where the trailhead is marked on Google Maps then be prepared to do a multi-point turn and use of a spotter to get turned around.

Very secluded and tricky to get to. I took 4401 to 1522, though 1522 is almost exclusively a jeep track and not an actual gravel road. I made it almost to where the trailhead is on the map and walked down the hill to the creek. From there, there is no actual trail to the falls so I had to pick my way through the woods and crisscross the creek several times. There is a smaller falls before you get to Short Grotto Falls. The Falls themselves are very picturesque and cool to see. Getting out, I backtracked and tried to take 1524 out of there. DO NOT go that way, that road does not connect to 5140. I almost ended up stuck on the side of a mountain there, as the road turns into an ATV trail and then is finally blocked off by a padlocked gate.

Easy hike, but tough to get to trailhead. Nice Grotto.

Putting this address in Google maps led me to an unmarked, unpaved road that I'm fairly certain was someone's backyard. I didn't want to trespass so I didn't see the falls. If anyone goes and can photograph the steps to getting there from the main road, it would be helpful.