About this spot
Lichen Falls is a 28-foot cascade beside the Ozark Highlands Trail near Oark, reached by a flat quarter-mile walk from the Arbaugh Road (FR#1404) trailhead off AR-16. It's a popular, well-reviewed hiking stop rather than a dedicated swim spot, drawing mostly OHT through-hikers and day-trippers. Flow depends heavily on recent rain and can dry to a trickle by summer; spring visits are best. An upper-ledge access exists but is steep and slick, so stay off it. No fees; forest-road parking only. Documented jump or swimming culture wasn't found, so treat it as scenic rather than a proven cliff-jumping location.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.