glory hole trail and waterfall

Glory Hole falls is one of the most unique falls you will ever see. The stream to the falls long ago flowed over the overhanging bluff. In time it eroded a hole in the roof of the overhang and now flows thru it. In the winter Icicles can form all the way from the roof to the ground, creating an awesome sight. The hike( 1.9 mile round trip) is relatively easy( I would call it moderate) From the trailhead, you follow an old jeep road that is fairly level for about 1/3 mile. there you will see a sign leading you on the trail. here is where you will begin going downhill. The trail is very open, like an ATV trail, but does get steep in a coupe places and leveling out in others. When you first arrive at the falls you will see the "Hole", from there you take the trail to the right , around and down to get underneath. Watch your step !! the rocks are wet and slick ! On your walk out , just pace yourself and it isn't to bad a hike going back uphill.... I'm 54 and didn't have any problem. I took about 30 mins. to walk in and an hour to walk out. "GETTING TO GLORY HOLE" If leaving Huntsville : take hwy 23 south till you get to hwy 16, turn west on 16. At Fallsville you will want to go 6.3 miles and it will be on your right. Across the road is a locked gate with a sign advertising a cafe and an old abandoned house behind it. You will see the Glory Hole sign marking the trailhead at the pull off. From Ponca : take hwy 21 south to Edwards Jct( 21 & 16) Turn east on 16 for 2.2 miles, it will be on your left. Be sure to take a camera and a backpack with some water and maybe a snack. Hiking shoes would be preferable , but it can be done in sneakers. Be safe and ENJOY !!

Saw a picture of the fall on a nature page of facebook and since i had an upcoming road trip in that direction i had to make it a stop. Camped at nearby ozone campground in the national forest which was only a 15-20min drive from the trailhead. The trail head was very difficult to find because if you google "glory hole" it was leading to a campground an hour away from ozone. But there was a forum where a guy detailed exactly where it was. The trail is not marked from the highway so i passed it twice before following the forum. Coming from ozone there is an abandoned shack w a "no parking" sign and then on the right is a small dirt path with room for a couple cars. the dirt path is where to park and the trail head (2.3miles south of the junction from the town of slain). Hike is short and easy and is totally worth visiting.

Check for directions on-line and prepare to park off-road . The trail was fairly well traveled, and down hill, so beware of the return trip. Even in the fall after little rain, the waterfall through a ceiling of rock is beautiful. Several people ducked their heads in for a refreshing cool-off after a warm day in late October. Surprised it isn't more advertised with signage and better parking assess..

It was a fantastic place with the creek running into a funneled hole in the top of the cliff and the water running into a little cave area underneath. We got some great pictures and the nature trail to get there is a great get away. Now for the true part. It is more like 2 miles there so 2 miles back. While you walk mostly downhill through the woods on a washed out in places rocky trail, that means it is 2 miles mostly uphill to get back to the highway. All of us need more exercise but be ready to take your time and take your bottled water because you will need it. By the way, no cell service of someone was to ever need help. Still a great place to experience.

If you have 4wd you can park a 1/4 mile down the trail. Not wheelchair or kid friendly. Kindof steep trail. Completely worth it, expecially if the water is flowing. Tons of great places to explore!

The road to the glory hole has no signs so you need a broche telling you where it is. It is about a 3 mile round trip. The hike down was no problem but the hike up was horrible but it was worth it. You want to go when there's been rain in the area or else there will be very little water. We went in may and it was raining off and on the 7 days we were in the area. Once you get to the bottom you have to climb over boulders and wet rocks to get under the ledge. All of us are in our late 60's and early 70's so go for it if you are healthy enough.

We went down to the waterfall the first of June. The road getting to the parking spot is very crooked. The hike down to the waterfall is obviously better than the hike back up! There were about 15 people hiking it that day. Once you finally hear the water, you have to climb down/on big rocks. The waterfall was very awesome! It's a very neat place! The hike up was horrible, once you thought you were almost to your car, you weren't! But overall, it's a neat waterfall! Just be prepared to hike. A lot.

This is a moderate hike trail. The trail is probably 3 miles total, seemed like more because some of the trail is not on flat land. This was our first time out and expected a better trail from other reviews on other sites. This trail is for healthy people. It was harder on me because I'm asthmatic. Once you get to the last part of the trail you have to climb down boulders. My youngest decided he didn't want to do this part because it has some pretty hairy parts and if the rocks were wet could be slippery. I went down with my oldest but as we expected there was only a trickle. I'm sure in the wetter seasons this would be beautiful. The photos I've seen were definitely inviting. Although I'm glad I did the trail I won't repeat it. As always don't do a hike unless you are healthy enough. Going in an getting in trouble puts you and your rescuer in danger.