RIFLE FALLS STATE PARK - RIFLE COLORADO

Description - Rifle Falls State Park is in Colorado NE of Rifle, Colorado. Thev48-acre park has a triple waterfall. The falls is a lush area of trees and greenery kept moist by the spray of the cascading triple waterfall (http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/RifleFalls).  Mysterious limestone caves beneath the falls entice spelunkers and other curious visitors to explore their dark depths.Spray from the falls can be felt while picnicking at the tables near the falls.  

Accessibility - "In 1998, the park underwent a face-lift: new pavement, picnic tables, interpretive signs and increased handicapped access." The trek to the falls is only a short jaunt from the parking lot. 

Address and directions -  Follow the signs from town. The park is 13 miles north of town. A small fee is required to enter the park. Camping by tent or RV is available. Park Office - 5775 Highway 325 Rifle, CO, 81650  Park Hours - 7AM -10PM. Anglers And Campers Have 24 Hour Access Office Hours - Varies - Can Visit Rifle Gap's Office For Needs 7am - 7pm Daily. Phone - (970) 625-1607 Email - Rifle.Gap.Park@State.Co.Us 

Fall Type - a triple 70-foot waterfall flowing over a travertine (a mineral formed by a compilation of hots or spring waters) dam on East Rifle Creek.

Nature 

 

PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT-MINNEWISSA FALLS-MINNESOTA

Pipestone National Monument offers a three-quarter mile trail through the prairie, by quarries, and in front of Minnewissa Falls. Only people of Native American ancestry with a special permit can quarry the area or remove any stone.

WATERFALL TYPE:  Ledge waterfall: Water descends vertically over a vertical cliff, maintaining partial contact with the bedrock

ACCESSIBILITY:  A paved path throughout the park allows a wheelchair user easy access to view the beauty; however, a few places are narrow or a little steep that require assistance from another person.

DIRECTIONS:  Pipestone National Monument is easily accessible from the following highways. When you reach the city of Pipestone, road signs will lead you to Pipestone National Monument.

• I-90 Luverne, MN Exit north on US Highway 75 to Pipestone, MN - 25 miles
• I-90 north on MN Highway 23 to Pipestone, MN - 27 miles.
• Marshall, MN, southwest on MN Highway 23 to Pipestone, MN - 45 miles.
• Slayton, MN, west on MN Highway 30 to Pipestone, MN - 29 miles.
• Lake Benton, MN, south on US Highway 75 to Pipestone, MN - 19 miles.
• I-29 north of Sioux Falls, SD to Exit 109 (Madison/Colman exit) go east on SD Hwy 34 which becomes MN Hwy 30 to Pipestone, MN - 55 miles
• I-29 Brookings, SD exit, go east on Hwy 14 to Lake Benton, MN, south on US Highway 75 to Pipestone, MN.

FALLING WATERS, OZARKS NATIONAL FOREST-ARKANSAS

DESCRIPTION: This beautiful little waterfall is conveniently located right next to the road, so you don't even have to get out of your car to see it. A narrow dirt path leads to a nice big pool that the falls spill into, and it is a popular swimming hole in the summer.

DIRECTIONS:  At the junction of Scenic 7 Byway and Ark. 16 at Pelsor, turn east on Ark. 16 to Ben Hur, then go south about 1.5 miles until you reach Forest Service Road 1205. Turn east on this road and remain on it for approximately 3 to 4 miles. You'll be following Falling Water Creek and will come upon the falls to your right. They are easily visible from your vehicle.

ACCESSIBILITY:  The falls can be seen from your car directly off the side of the road. A small pull-off area is available with a narrow dirt path leading to the pool that the falls spill into. Getting to the pool would be difficult without assistance.

WATERFALL TYPE: Plunge-descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface.

BIG SPRING PARK - NEOSHO, MISSOURI

We happened upon this waterfall while searching for a church in the town of Neoshu, Missouri. The name of Neoshu is an Indian word meaning "clear or abundant" water. The downtown buildings are early 1800. It is a scene taken right out of civil war times.

ACCESSIBILITY:  Big Springs Park has well-maintained grassy areas and stone or concrete pathways. Neosho is known as "the flower box" city.  The Park's grounds have flowers planted in many beds and a wading pool, benches for relaxing while enjoying the flowers or watching the ducks.

GRAND FALLS - JOPLIN, MISSOURI

http://www.visitmo.com/grand-falls.aspx Grand Falls in Joplin Missouri is the largest continuously flowing waterfall in Missouri. Grand Falls normally plunges 25 feet over a ledge; however, the day of this photo session was a day after severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding, hence the muddy waters and higher waters.

DIRECTIONS:  Off I-44, exit 6; south on Route 86 two blocks; west on Glendale Road 1.5 miles; south on Jackson across the low-water bridge; immediately west on Riverside Drive two miles; Grand Falls is on the right. 5400 S. Riverside Drive Joplin, MO 64804 Phone: 800-657-2534 Dawn-dusk. ACCESSIBILITY:  The waterfalls are directly off the side of the road.  There is a pull-off parking area that allows you to see the falls from your car or move closer over a gravel area.

SMITH FALLS - Smith Falls S.P. Valentine, Nebraska

Smith Falls State Park was established in 1992. Smith Falls is located on the Niobrara River. Of the 180 falls on the 20-mile stretch of the Niobrara River Valley, Smith Falls is the tallest waterfall in Nebraska. The spring-fed fall drops 70 feet then flows into the Niobrara River.

Smith Falls State Park is 4 miles down a gravel road off of Highway 12. You'll wind through corn fields, see wildlife like, turkeys, deer, squirrels, rabbits, and buffalo. You'll cross a couple of cattle guards, and wonder to yourself, "Where in God's country are we going to again?"

DIRECTIONS:  Driving directions for Smith Falls SP from Valentine you go 15 miles east on Highway 12 to the Smith Falls State Park sign, then turn right. Travel 4 miles south on a gravel road to park.
A state park permit is required. Stop in the office to obtain one, then drive through the campground to the walkway that leads over walk bridges and across a historic truss bridge that spans the river. Once across the bridge, a short walk to a boardwalk leads to the falls.

The park is open April 1 - November 30.

ACCESSIBILITY: A walkway leads over walk bridges and across a historic truss bridge that spans the river. Once across the bridge, a short walk to a boardwalk leads to the falls.

 TYPE OF FALL:  Fan

BRIGGS WOODS COUNTY PARK - Webster City, Iowa

Briggs Woods Park is located at 2490 Briggs Woods Trail in Hamilton County, Iowa, two and one-half miles south of Webster City off of Highway 17. The park is 550 acres and is easily accessible by wheelchair, strollers, or bikes.  However, the path to the falls is a grassy steep path. I made it to the falls only by the strength of my husband. If you have a motorized wheelchair, you'll be good to go by yourself, otherwise, waterfall access is difficult. Highway 20 offers clear access to the east and west, while Interstate 35 is located about 12 miles east of highway 17.

FALL TYPE:  Briggs Woods Falls has three tiers cascading over rock formations.