Natural Falls State Park is located in the Ozark Highlands (Ozarks) near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border. It has a waterfall, hiking trails, yurts, campsites, a garden, a disc golf course, and picnic tables. Movie lovers may recognize its landscape from the 1974 classic Where the Red Fern Grows.
Natural Falls State Park
The area was previously called Dripping Springs but the state renamed it to differentiate it from Dripping Springs Park near Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
Natural Falls State Park
2023 Price: $10 per vehicle per day
Dripping Springs Waterfall and Trail
This half-mile loop has an upper observation platform, a lower platform at the base of the waterfall, and an expansion bridge 110 feet over the valley.
The path to the upper platform is universally accessible; however, I would rate the rest of the route as a moderate trail.
From the upper platform you get a good view of the brink of the falls, the valley, and the expansion bridge directly across.
Those with the interest and ability to continue the hike can head downhill and take the 47 steps to the base of the falls. A bridge walkway crosses the stream. The lower platform has several benches to pause and take in the scenery.
Dripping Springs Falls is a 77-foot waterfall. It ties with Turner Falls for the tallest Oklahoma waterfall. I loved the cove and its stunning greenery – ferns, mosses, and liverworts.
After the waterfall, head back up to the main trail and farther downstream. The mixed surface path narrows as it leads to a fishing lake. Cross the small bridge over to the other side.
Green algae nearly covered the water’s surface. Multiple turtles soaked up the sun on logs and rocks. A dam sits at the far edge of the lake.
From there, the gravel trail climbs uphill into the woods. There a bluff overlooks the valley.
The last section of the trail crosses the expansion bridge. Views of the waterfall from up here are fantastic as well.
Ghost Coon Trail
Near the end of the Dripping Springs loop, we turned off on the Ghost Coon Trail. It connects after the hike up from the dam.
The 1.3-mile moderate path loops around the camping yurts, through the woods, and along a native prairie.
In addition to flowers, we found variegated fritillary and pearl crescent butterflies, grasshoppers, and a katydid.
Caution: We lost the trail near the end where it is supposed to reconnect near the expansion bridge. In our wandering we found a western ribbon snake! A new species for me and not intimidating enough to shock.
For those looking for additional hikes, the park offers two more trails: Bear Trail and Fox Den Trail.
It was a great place to visit and hike. Very doable in half day adventure. Steph Purk is right the waterfall and all the moss and fern was lovely. Prairies in hiking areas always produce a relaxing end to a hike through a forest or on trails. Thanks for the invite Steph Purk.