Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: Parking Pass required.
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open. TravelOK lists park hours of dawn to dusk, seven days a week, year-round (checked Oct 28, 2026). Oklahoma State Parks posts a noise notice asking visitors to check the nearby Arrowhead Speedway schedule before reserving. What the status labels mean
Natural Falls is a 77-foot waterfall in Natural Falls State Park, in the Oklahoma Ozarks near the Arkansas border. You need a vehicle Parking Pass, bought online through Oklahoma State Parks. A half-mile trail leads to an accessible overlook and a deck at the base. Swimming is not allowed, and the park has RV and tent sites plus five yurts. TravelOK lists the park open dawn to dusk, year-round (checked Oct 28, 2026).
About Natural Falls
Natural Falls drops 77 feet in the Ozark Highlands near the Oklahoma-Arkansas border, according to TravelOK, the state's tourism site. The park's trail sheet gives the same height.
TravelOK describes two viewpoints: a railed observation platform overlooking the falls, and an observation deck with seating at the foot of the falls.
The land was privately owned and known as Dripping Springs until the state bought it in 1990, Wikipedia says. The state then renamed it Natural Falls, and the main trail still carries the Dripping Springs name.
TravelOK says scenes from the 1974 movie Where the Red Fern Grows were filmed in the park. The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department reported 7,522 parking passes sold here from January to August 2025.
Natural Falls is not Turner Falls. Turner Falls is a separately run park in Davis, in southern Oklahoma, with its own admission.
A note on the map: OpenStreetMap has no point for the falls themselves. The pin on this page marks Natural Falls State Park, not the exact spot of the waterfall.
Getting there and parking
Natural Falls State Park is at 19225 E 578 Rd, Colcord, in Delaware County, and every vehicle needs a Parking Pass bought online.
Address and directions
TravelOK lists the park address as 19225 E 578 Rd, Colcord, OK 74338, in Delaware County. The park office is 918-422-5802. Wikipedia places the park on US-412, about 6 miles from West Siloam Springs and the Arkansas line.
We found no official drive times from Tulsa, Siloam Springs or Fayetteville.
Park at the Dripping Springs trailhead inside the park, which has handicapped parking. TravelOK also posts a park and trail map.
Parking Pass
Natural Falls uses a vehicle Parking Pass rather than an entrance fee. With a few exceptions, every area inside a participating park needs one, and signs at entrances and lots say so.
Buy the pass online through Oklahoma State Parks reservations, linked from the TravelOK park page. We could not see current rates there, so check the price when you buy. If you're camping, your reservation includes one pass.
The park is open dawn to dusk, seven days a week, year-round. All trails close at dusk. Only designated campers have 24-hour access.
Camping, yurts and cabins
Natural Falls State Park has RV and tent sites and five yurts, reserved online, plus permit-only hike-in camping at Fox Meadow.
RV and tent sites
TravelOK says online reservations must be made for RV and tent sites, and a comfort station with showers is nearby. TravelOK lists full hookups, water, 30/50-amp service and pull-through sites, but no official site counts. The reservation center is 877-657-2757.
A campsite or yurt reservation includes one Parking Pass for your stay, according to TravelOK's reservation guidelines.
Yurts
The park has five yurts, which can be reserved online, according to its yurt sheet. Each sleeps four to six people and has AC and heat, a microwave, a dorm fridge, a ceiling fan, outlets, a dining table and a coffee maker.
Four-person yurts have a queen bed and a futon; six-person yurts have two bunk sets. Mattresses are vinyl, so bring linens or rent bedding. Showers and restrooms are a short walk away.
Outside each yurt is a picnic table, charcoal grill, fire ring and lantern hanger. Pets are welcome for an additional fee. We found no official nightly rate.
Fox Meadow hike-in camping
TravelOK describes Fox Meadow, at 54501 S 700 Rd, as a 120-acre preservation park reached only on foot. It offers hike-in camping with approved permits, and has no restrooms and no running water.
Cabins and noise
We found no cabins in official park listings.
Oklahoma State Parks asks visitors to check the Arrowhead Speedway schedule before reserving, because excessive noise from the nearby racetrack can occur.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Natural Falls hike: Dripping Springs Trail
The half-mile Dripping Springs Trail leads to Natural Falls, with an accessible overlook at the top and 47 steps down to a deck at the base.
To the overlook
The Dripping Springs Trail follows its namesake spring for half a mile. The first part is an accessible walk to a railed observation platform at the top of the falls.
To the base
47 steps lead down to a seated deck at the base of the falls. The trail sheet asks you to stay on the elevated boardwalk there. Remember that every step down is a step back up.
The full loop
The trail continues around the lake and up a steep bluff with drops of 100 feet or more. It crosses a suspension bridge 110 feet above the valley, with a view of the falls. The park's trail sheet puts the walk at about 45 minutes.
The trail sheet doesn't say whether the half mile is one way or round trip.
Other park trails
TravelOK lists four and a half miles of hiking and nature trails. Pine Ridge is a paved, easy 0.75 miles. Ghost Coon is 1.3 miles and moderate, Fox Den is 1.5 miles and difficult, and Bear is a difficult 0.1 miles, per the trail sheet.
TravelOK also lists catch-and-release fishing, an 18-hole disc golf course and a formal garden.
When to visit
TravelOK lists the park as open year-round, from dawn to dusk. We could not confirm an official best season for water flow, and we found no 2025 or 2026 closure for the park.
If you plan to camp, check the Arrowhead Speedway schedule first. Oklahoma State Parks warns that noise from the racetrack can carry to the park.
Check the Parking Pass price when you buy it online, since we found no current official rate page.
For another Oklahoma waterfall, see Little Niagara Falls in Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur.
| Height | 77 ftNote: per TravelOK and the park's trail sheet |
|---|---|
| Trail | Dripping Springs Trail: 1/2 mile. An accessible walk leads to the overlook at the top of the falls, and 47 steps go down to the base. A loop crosses a suspension bridge 110 ft up |
| Difficulty | Easy to the overlook; moderate to difficult beyond |
| Time needed | About 45 minutes for the Dripping Springs Trail (park trail sheet) |
| Entry fee | Parking Pass required; buy it online through Oklahoma State Parks reservations (TravelOK). We found no current official rate to publish |
| Permit / reservation | No permit; a vehicle Parking Pass is required |
| Parking | Trailhead lot; Parking Pass required |
| Hours / season | Dawn to dusk, seven days a week; trails close at dusk. Designated campers have 24-hour access |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash only (TravelOK); the trail sheet says a leash of 10 ft or less, and pick up waste |
| Swimming | No. TravelOK says swimming is not allowed in the park |
| Wheelchair / stroller | The overlook at the top of the falls is ADA accessible. The 47 steps to the base and the rest of the loop are not |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Managed by | Oklahoma State Parks (Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department), Natural Falls State Park |
Safety and swimming
Swimming is not allowed in the park, TravelOK says, though it notes several public swimming areas within a short distance. Enjoy the falls from the overlook, the deck at the base and the boardwalk.
Part of the loop climbs a bluff with drops of 100 feet or more. Stay on the trail, keep children close near the edges, and do not climb the rocks around the falls.
Take the 47 steps slowly, especially if they are wet. Pets are allowed on a leash only, and the trail sheet asks for a leash of 10 feet or less and that you pick up after them. Plan to be off the trails by dusk, when they close.
Where to stay near Natural Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Colcord.
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Photos
Natural Falls FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Natural Falls State Park? Do you need tickets?
No tickets are sold, but you need a vehicle Parking Pass. Buy it online through Oklahoma State Parks reservations, linked from TravelOK, and check the current price there. A campsite or yurt reservation includes one pass.
How do I get a parking pass for Natural Falls?
Use the "Get a Parking Pass" link on the TravelOK park page, which goes to Oklahoma State Parks' online reservation site. Campers get one pass with their reservation.
How far is the walk to Natural Falls?
The Dripping Springs Trail is a half mile, and the walk to the overlook at the top of the falls is accessible. Reaching the base means 47 steps down and back up. The park's trail sheet puts the full loop at about 45 minutes.
Can you camp at Natural Falls State Park?
Yes. TravelOK says RV and tent sites must be reserved online, with a shower house nearby. The park also has five yurts for four to six people, and Fox Meadow offers hike-in camping with an approved permit.
Where is Natural Falls State Park?
At 19225 E 578 Rd, Colcord, Oklahoma, in Delaware County, per TravelOK. Wikipedia places it on US-412, about 6 miles from West Siloam Springs near the Arkansas line.
Was Where the Red Fern Grows filmed at Natural Falls?
Yes. TravelOK says scenes from the 1974 movie were filmed in the park.
Can you swim at Natural Falls?
No. TravelOK says swimming is not allowed in the park, though there are public swimming areas a short distance away.
What are the hours at Natural Falls State Park?
Dawn to dusk, seven days a week, year-round. All trails close at dusk, and only designated campers can stay 24 hours. Leashed pets are allowed.
Nearby waterfalls
No other waterfalls within 75 miles are on the site yet.
More waterfalls to explore
Little Niagara FallsOklahoma · 173 mi straight-lineOpen
Turner FallsOklahoma · 185 mi straight-lineSeasonal77FT
Burden FallsIllinois · 347 mi straight-lineOpen100FT TOTAL DESCENT
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Easy waterfall hikes
Sources
- TravelOK: Natural Falls State Park (address, hours, camping, yurts, Fox Meadow, rules; read Oct 28, 2026)
- TravelOK: Natural Falls Maps and Resources
- Oklahoma State Parks: Trails of Natural Falls State Park (trail sheet)
- OTRD: Oklahoma State Parks Parking Pass Program (Senate interim study, Oct 2025)
- TravelOK: State Parks FAQs
- TravelOK: State Parks Reservation Guidelines
- Wikipedia: Natural Falls State Park
- OpenStreetMap: Natural Falls map location
- Oklahoma State Parks: Updates, noise notice for potential visitors (Arrowhead Speedway)
- Oklahoma State Parks: Natural Falls yurts (info sheet)
- Oklahoma State Parks: Natural Falls Park and Trail Map
- Oklahoma State Parks: Fox Meadow area trail map (2026)
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Oklahoma State Parks (Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department), Natural Falls State Park before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.