Natural Falls State Park

We absolutely love visiting Natural Falls State Park. It is one of our favorite hiking destinations in Oklahoma. There are great view points from all around the falls. Its so cool to know, "Where the Red Fern Grows" was filmed at this location.

I especially love how the first observation platform is wheelchair accessible and only a short distance from the entrance of Dripping Springs. Please note, it is not accessible to get to the bottom of the falls via chair.

When we visit, we always hike the other trails as well and they are a bit more rugged. I do wish they had signs for the trails that are not a loop and you must turn around and go back-- no through trail or dead end trail...etc. But even without signage you can clearly tell the trail ends. We wound up at the bottom of a dry creek bed in a cave-like/ overhead cliffhanging structure and knew we had to turn around and go back out the way we came. It was still a great experience, just a lot of extra walking with steep slopes.

Overall, the park is well-kept and clean. The trails to the falls and fishing area are clearly labeled with arrows so you know which ways to go. There are benches and seats throughout the park and trails. It's a great outdoor experience. This is an iconic Oklahoma destination to visit!

**Oh, and I will mention, the photos I took during this trip was a day after it rained and we were hoping for a "fuller" waterfall, but instead we had murky, muddy, dirty water. I have never seen this park with discolored water like this before so I will not fault it for weather related incidents. It is typically pristine, clear and bluish-green water. So when we revisit again, I will update with better photos. As stated, I've never seen the water dirty here until now.**

Beautiful place to scape out from the city. A very nice hike to do with family and young ones.

The hiking roads are very clear and easy. Make sure you cross all the bridges, they offer very different sights of this enchanting place.

Get your map and make sure you pay your parking in the visitors center.

Beautiful trails to walk around and plenty of options to hike around them too. If your inner mountain goat wants to roam off the path have fun 😁. Would recommend coming after it rains 1inch or 2 for the waterfall but it's still a delight. Help out the staff here and ask for owl 🦉 and opossum plush toys at the shop.

A Sweet and Well-Maintained Camping Gem

We absolutely loved our stay at the Natural Falls State Park campground and can't wait to go back. This is a fantastic, clean, and well-managed spot perfect for a relaxing getaway.

The Campsites: There's a good variety to choose from. Some sites offer full hookups (including a black tank, which is a nice perk), while others are water & electric. The pads are fairly level and easy to back into, with several pull-through options available. We saw plenty of spacious, shaded spots perfect for hammocks. Honestly, I think all the spots here are good spots. (Note: They also offer yurts and cabins for those who want a different experience, though we stuck with our RV.)

Amenities & Cleanliness: The park is impressively clean. The "comfort house" is an older building, but it is very well-maintained and spotless. Each room is a private toilet/shower combo, which we appreciated for convenience. The camp store is handy, offering firewood ($1 per stick) and bags of ice.

Hiking, The Falls & The Vibe: The highlight is, of course, the waterfall. The main path to the viewing area is paved but involves stairs, so it's not handicapped accessible. The trails through the woods are beautiful—some are vigorous and steep, offering a great little workout. We tried to find a couple of other paths but weren't successful; that just gives us an excuse to return and explore more! It was nice to see that the day-use park area is popular with locals enjoying picnics and games like frisbee golf, giving the whole place a lively, community feel.

Overall Impression: This is a peaceful, friendly, and beautifully kept park. It's clear the staff takes pride in it. We had zero complaints and are already looking forward to our next visit. Highly recommend for campers looking for a mix of comfort and nature.

The Yurt 🛖 stay was fantastic, and literally just above the falls. I highly recommend visiting this state park.

The Yurt has a fire pit, two chairs, a fridge and microwave, and comes with heat/AC. You can't drive your vehicle to the Yurt, but they provide you a golf cart to get there.

*No water at Yurt campground