State Park · Oklahoma
A small northeast Oklahoma park built around a 77-foot waterfall dropping into a fern-lined canyon, with viewing platforms, short forest trails, yurts, and tent and RV sites.
Field briefing
Natural Falls State Park changes fast with season and elevation.
Before you go
The short trails and viewing platforms make for an easy half day, and yurts or campsites let you turn it into an overnight.
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Mild, green, and lush, with the strongest waterfall flow after spring rains.
Pack Rain shell, grippy footwear, and layers for the cool, shaded canyon.
Warm and humid, with the canyon staying cooler than the surrounding hills.
Pack Water, sun protection on the rim, and shoes for damp stairs and boardwalk.
Crisp and colorful, a strong second window as the hardwoods turn.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and traction for leaf-covered steps.
Cold and quiet, with lower flow but the chance of striking ice formations.
Pack Insulation, traction, and caution on icy boardwalk stairs.
The 77-foot waterfall and viewing platforms
The park's centerpiece: a spring-fed 77-foot waterfall, locally known as Dripping Springs, plunging into a mossy canyon. Two platforms, one above and one at the base, frame the falls. Scenes from the 1974 film Where the Red Fern Grows were shot here.
Dripping Springs and Ghost Coon trails
Short forested loops above the falls passing a spring, a small fishing lake, bluffs, and a creek, enough to turn a quick waterfall stop into a half-day visit.
Yurts and the day-use area
The park added Mongolian-style yurts to meet demand, blending camping with a roof. A reunion center, picnic shelters, and disc golf round out the day-use side.
Move exposed miles to the morning and keep water, shade, and storm checks ahead of the wish list. For one day in Natural Falls State Park, make The 77-foot waterfall and viewing platforms the non-negotiable, add Dripping Springs and Ghost Coon trails only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Yurts and the day-use area as the flexible finish.
Turn Natural Falls's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Natural Falls State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Natural Falls State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
The buying guides that match what Natural Falls asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Camp or book a yurt inside the park to enjoy the falls before and after the day crowds. Siloam Springs in Arkansas and Tahlequah, Oklahoma are the nearest towns for hotels, food, and fuel.
Camping reservations
Natural Falls books camping and yurts through the Oklahoma State Parks reservation system. Spring, when the falls run hardest, is the busiest window, so reserve ahead.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Oklahoma State Parks campsites and yurts are reservation-only, booked online through ReserveAmerica.
Where to book or verify
Official Oklahoma State Parks reservation portal for campsites and yurts.
Park profile with the waterfall, trails, yurts, and facility details.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Arrival note
Natural Falls is near Colcord and West Siloam Springs in far northeast Oklahoma, just west of the Arkansas line and about an hour from Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Car strategy
A car is required, and the falls and trailheads sit close together inside the compact park.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
The spring-fed waterfall drops about 77 feet into a fern-lined canyon. Two viewing platforms, one above and one at the base, frame it, and the short trail down is an easy walk.
Yes. The park has tent and RV sites plus Mongolian-style yurts, all reserved online through the Oklahoma State Parks system. Day-use entry is free.
Spring, after rain, gives the strongest flow. The canyon stays cool through summer, and fall adds hardwood color, while winter can produce striking ice formations at lower flow.