When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Mild, green, and lush, with the strongest waterfall flow after spring rains.
Pack Rain shell, grippy footwear, and layers for the cool, shaded canyon.
Summer
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.
Fall
Crisp and colorful, a strong second window as the hardwoods turn.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and traction for leaf-covered steps.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with lower flow but the chance of striking ice formations.
Pack Insulation, traction, and caution on icy boardwalk stairs.
Top things to do
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.
Anchor the day around The 77-foot waterfall and viewing platforms
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.
- 1Start with 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.
- 2Add 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.
- 3Use Yurts and the day-use area as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
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.
What to pack
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
Decide what Natural Falls State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
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.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Natural Falls
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Natural Falls
The buying guides that match what Natural Falls asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
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
Camping reservations
Reserve Natural Falls camping or a yurt for spring waterfall weekends.
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.
- Oklahoma day-use entry is free; camping, yurts, and certain facilities carry fees.
- There are no first-come campsites at Oklahoma state parks; all sites are reserved online.
- Spring after heavy rain gives the fullest waterfall flow and the highest demand.
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
Natural Falls campground and yurts
Details- Booking
- Reserve online through Oklahoma State Parks and ReserveAmerica.
- Sites
- Tent and RV sites plus Mongolian-style yurts near the falls.
- Best base for early and late views of the falls; yurts blend camping with a roof.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Get to Natural Falls State Park, then move through the park without wasting the day.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Oklahoma
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.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Oklahoma's film office routes you to the right authority rather than issuing permits; state parks require a commercial filming permit by rule, while most still photography is currently fee-free.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is the waterfall at Natural Falls State Park?
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.
Can you camp at Natural Falls State Park?
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.
When is the best time to see the falls?
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.