Generated illustration of a natural swimming setting; not a photograph of this location
CreekAR

Lee Creek Ozark Swimming Holes

By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated

Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.

Separate Natural Dam Falls from the Lee Creek bridge access, check unresolved swimming permission, and plan nearby Devil's Den camping and seasonal pool visits.

Water type
Creek
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Creek-entry and parking charges are not established. Devil's Den lists separate pool admission of $6 for ages 6 and up and $5 for ages 2-5; confirm future-season prices before travel.
Best season
Confirm creek access before planning swimming. Devil's Den publishes a Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day pool season
Nearby towns
Fort Smith, Cedarville, Natural Dam
Water body
Lee Creek Region; Natural Dam Falls Is Described By State Tourism On Mountain Fork River

Location

Map & Directions

AR
Nearby towns
Fort Smith, Cedarville, Natural Dam
Access location not verified
35.64987, -94.39775
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.

Sources & checks

This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.

Swimming rules
Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
Access location not verified
The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
Record updated
· This is a data update, not a field visit.

Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.

Lee Creek and Natural Dam are separate access questions

The old listing combined Natural Dam Falls with a Highway 220 Lee Creek swimming spot, then applied shared fee and safety claims to both. This guide separates them. Current swimming permission and a legal creek-entry route remain unresolved; the retained map reference is not a verified swimming entrance.

Use Natural Dam's actual destination information

The state tourism page for Natural Dam Falls describes a waterfall outing on Mountain Fork River. Use its location resource for sightseeing, then confirm current authorized parking and paths. That page does not establish swimming permission, restroom service or family-safe water, and it is not the same destination as the Highway 220 bridge entry.

Withdraw unsupported adventure claims

The previous cliff-jump heights, improvised zip-line promotion and assurances of gentle swimming are not verified. Do not use those descriptions as activity instructions. Confirm the exact manager or landowner, access rights and current conditions before considering creek entry.

Plan a separate managed pool visit

Devil's Den State Park has a summer swimming pool, separate from natural creek swimming. Its published season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, so the normal 2026 season has ended. The page lists $6 admission for ages 6 and up and $5 for ages 2-5; call 479-761-3325 to confirm future dates, hours and charges. Do not infer pool availability from year-round campground operation.

Book camping at the correct place

The state park documents campsites and cabins at 11333 West Arkansas Highway 74 in West Fork. Make the appropriate reservation and use the park's directions rather than the old unverified gravel-road shortcut. State park picnic and restroom services are not facilities at the legacy creek entries.

Keep photo coverage location-specific

The saved Lee Creek Access place match does not cover Natural Dam Falls or the Devil's Den pool. New gallery photos must identify the destination they actually show rather than imply that all three locations share an entrance.

Getting There

Natural Dam Falls and the Highway 220 Lee Creek access are distinct destinations. Use the state tourism page's linked Natural Dam location for sightseeing, then confirm current authorized parking and paths locally. Do not rely on the old quarter-mile approach, turnoff or jumping-area directions as verified. For separate Devil's Den camping or pool plans use 11333 West Arkansas Highway 74, West Fork, AR 72774.

Access Notes

This regional listing combines two legacy creek locations whose current swimming entry and permission are not verified. Natural Dam's state tourism listing identifies Mountain Fork River, so it must not be treated as the same entrance as the Highway 220 Lee Creek bridge.

Plan Your Visit

Parking & Access

Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.

Regulations & Fees

Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.

Seasonality & Flow

Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.

Nearby Facilities

Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.

Map data retrieved 2026-06-15

Cedarville City Park

Park

4.3 mi 4.4 (42)

Cedarville, AR 72932

Basketball courtPicnic tablesPublic restroomSlides

Lee Creek Access

Swimming pool

4.8 mi 4.5 (65)

N Lee Creek Rd, Chester, AR 72934

Barker Gap Campground

RV park

6.2 mi 5 (29)

18445 Liberty Hill Rd, Natural Dam, AR 72948

Liberty Hill Campground

Campground

6.4 mi 4.8 (5)

18545 Liberty Hill Rd, Natural Dam, AR 72948

Lee Creek Reservoir Recreation Area

Park

10.6 mi 4.6 (274)

3808 Gelly Dr, Van Buren, AR 72956

Public restroom

Devil's Den State Park

State park

11.6 mi 4.8 (1746)

11333 AR-74, West Fork, AR 72774

Barbecue grillCycling lanesPicnic tablesPublic restroom

Fossil Flats Trailhead

Hiking area

11.9 mi 4.7 (530)

11333 AR-74, West Fork, AR 72774

Lush valley retreat featuring caves & miles of hiking trails, plus rustic cabins from the 1930s.

US Forest Service Boston Mountain Ranger Station

Government office

29.8 mi 4 (26)

1803 N 18th St, Ozark, AR 72949

Frequently Asked Questions About Lee Creek Ozark Swimming Holes

Is Natural Dam Falls the same entry as the Highway 220 Lee Creek spot?

No. The state tourism page identifies Natural Dam Falls with Mountain Fork River. The Highway 220 creek location needs separate directions, parking and permission checks.

Is creek swimming permission verified here?

No. Current permission and authorized water entry at the legacy creek locations remain unresolved. That does not establish a closure.

Is Devil's Den pool open year-round?

No. The park publishes a Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day season. Its normal 2026 season has ended; confirm the next season's schedule with staff.

What pool admission does Devil's Den publish?

Its page lists $6 for ages 6 and up and $5 for ages 2-5. These are pool charges, not creek-entry fees; confirm prices before a future visit.

Does Devil's Den camping allow overnight stays at the creek spots?

No. A booked state park campsite is a separate arrangement and does not establish camping permission at either legacy creek entry.

Highlights

Separate Natural Dam and Lee Creek access contexts
Official waterfall sightseeing information
Nearby state park camping and seasonal pool planning

Unique Features

Waterfall and creek destinations in the broader Fort Smith and Natural Dam region

Location & Area Map

Safety Information

Important Safety Tips

  • Do not use improvised zip lines, jump from cliffs or assume shallow water is child-safe
  • Confirm permission and current water conditions
  • Creek photos and waterfall sightseeing descriptions do not establish safe swimming

Cultural & Historical Context

Historical Background

The area reflects the Ozarks' natural beauty and is near Fort Smith, a city with rich frontier and military history.

Photography Guide

Photo Opportunities

Waterfall views from permitted sightseeing areas. The saved Lee Creek Access match is separate from Natural Dam Falls and must not illustrate both entrances.

Conservation & Ethics

Protect This Place

Follow authorized paths and posted rules, respect private land and remove litter. Do not create informal creek access or attach recreational equipment to trees.

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At a Glance

Best Time to Visit
Confirm creek access before planning swimming. Devil's Den publishes a Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day pool season; its normal 2026 season has ended as of this review.
Difficulty Level
Creek-entry terrain and parking are not verified. No family-safe shallows, easy trail or suitable jumping platform is established.
Fee
Creek-entry and parking charges are not established. Devil's Den lists separate pool admission of $6 for ages 6 and up and $5 for ages 2-5; confirm future-season prices before travel.
Facilities
Do not transfer state park services to Natural Dam or the Highway 220 bridge area. Lifeguards, drinking water and accessible creek entry are not established by this review.
Activities
Waterfall sightseeing from permitted areas; creek-access research; separately planned state park hiking, camping and seasonal pool swimming
Phone
479-761-3325 (Devil's Den State Park; not the manager contact for every creek entry)

Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

Camping Information

Reserve a separate authorized campsite at Devil's Den State Park. The park documents several campsite types and cabins; this does not establish camping permission beside either legacy creek entry.

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Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

  • Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
  • Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
  • Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
  • Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
  • Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
  • Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes

Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.

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