What was once a private getaway is now an oasis for everyone with trails, campsites and a stunning waterfall that's one of the tallest in the region.
Natural Falls State Park near West Siloam Springs, Okla. has been calling to visitors since the state of Oklahoma purchased the wooded and rocky paradise for a park in 1990.
Visit Natural Falls State Park
Natural Falls State Park is located six miles west of Siloam Springs. Travel U.S. 412 through West Siloam Springs, Okla. Turn south at the Natural Falls State Park sign. Go about one-half mile to the visitor center.
There is an entrance fee of $5 per car.
Information: Call the park office, 918-422-5802.
There are 4.5 miles of hiking trails to explore. The 120-acre park sports a new playground. Yurts appear as round, fabric cabin-like cottages for overnight stays.
The marquee attraction is the 70-foot waterfall that spills over a ledge into a lagoon of crystal clear water. The 70-footer is like the queen of waterfalls with smaller falls on each side guarding her majesty like sentries. There is water, water everywhere in the box canyon rife with cascades.
All that and more draws visitors during every season. Spring is prime time to visit, when frequent rain has the waterfalls pouring, said Tracey Robertson, manager at Natural Falls State Park.
The park used to be a stopping place for people traveling to and from Tulsa or Oklahoma City, Robertson said.
"Our user group has changed. It's a destination. Now people area staying longer. In the summer, we run out of picnic sites."
The 70-foot waterfall queen of the park becomes a trickle during summer, but a smaller fall next to it always flows.
"I've never seen a time when there wasn't some water coming out of it," said Robertson, who's been with Oklahoma State Parks for 22 years.
"It's a real popular park for birders," Robertson noted as people milled about the visitor center. Plant life is rich and abundant. "We've got 18 different fern varieties," he added.
The park's box canyon wows visitors with sheer cliffs and boulders strewn about. The rocky realm is unique to the surrounding, pastoral landscape. It's mostly flat, open country for miles around the park.
The canyon surprises visitors, Robertson said.
"It's the last thing people expect to see."
A short, 150-yard stroll leads from a parking area to the waterfall. An observation platform sits near the top of the waterfall for views from above. A concrete path heads down to a boardwalk at the base of the waterfall for the most optimum view.
Hikers can walk a one-mile loop around the waterfall area and a small lake. Trek clockwise from the waterfall and the route crosses a high foot bridge that can give visitors the willies if they don't like heights.
The trail passes the small yurt neighborhood. Each yurt has a campfire ring with wood Adirondack chairs for relaxing by the flames.
Down a hill, hikers see a miniature lake. A dam backs it up, creating another waterfall that spills over the top. The stream below the dam is pretty and worth more exploring.
The lake dates back to when the tract was a private resort, Robertson said. There were cabins, horseback riding, even an amphitheater and concerts. A movie, "Where the Red Fern Grows," was filmed here in 1973.
David Wood, with the Natural Falls staff, remembers catching trout in the stream and lake when the property was a resort. A trout farm was located nearby, he said.
The trout may be gone, but the waterfall, camping and hiking are there for all to enjoy.
Sports on 03/19/2019