Day Trip to the Natural Falls Waterfall

Easily explore one of Oklahoma's picturesque waterfalls in a day trip from Tulsa.

While Oklahoma might not be the first state to spring to mind for waterfalls, Natural Falls State Park offers a refreshing surprise just an hour and fifteen minutes east of Tulsa. This state park is perfect for a half-day nature trip, and is near the Arkansas border, meaning it’s in the Ozarks, which you’ll definitely feel due to how lush and green it is—the park is home to all kinds of ferns, liverworts, and lichens that thrive in the moist atmosphere.

Getting There

Natural Falls is a straight shot down the 412 E highway and a great spot to spend a half day (or full day) in nature. You’ll need to pay a $10 parking fee, which you can do at the park office. The staff are friendly and you can buy snacks and water at the office, and use the bathroom. If you don’t want to stop by the office, you can also buy a parking pass before your visit online or at a kiosk on-site.

The trails available in Natural Falls are short, but they’re steep. You’ll have to hike down into the gorge to take advantage of the majority of the trails and the best view of the waterfall which is at the base. Most of the trails are relatively short and connect to one another, so you can loop together a couple trails if you’d like to hike for 3-4 miles through the heavily forested park.

You’ll see wildlife like turtles, squirrels, rabbits, hawks, woodpeckers, and maybe turkeys and deer if you’re lucky. Fans of the 1974 film “Where the Red Fern Grows” might recognize parts of the park that were backdrops in the film.

You can’t swim at Natural Falls, but you can put your feet in the water at the part of the river where people cross to go off trail. There’s a bench across the way, so going “off trail” here isn’t too adventurous. I went off the main trail by accident near the base of the river and followed the river until I was ready to turn back. Looking to take a dip after a day of hiking at Natural Falls? Check one of the nearby public swimming areas within an hour of the falls along the Illinois River, including public access points at Round Hollow, Peavine, No Head Hollow, and Stunkard.

If a half day isn’t enough for you, you can tent camp, or you can upgrade to moderate glamping and spend a night in one of the park’s yurts. They’re not luxurious, but have beds, and sleep four to six people each. You can bring your own bedding or rent some from the park office.

Dogs are allowed in Natural Falls State Park as long as they’re leashed, so bring your furbabies along for a hike.

The Waterfall

The star of the park is immediately noticeable, as you’ll hear the rushing waters once you enter the trails of Natural Falls. You can catch a bird’s eye view of the waterfall from the observation platform, but in my opinion, the best view comes from ground level. There are benches at the lower viewpoint if you need a place to rest or simply want to sit and take in the 77-foot falls, native rock formations, and pretty caves.

Lunch Break

If you’re hungry, you can find a restaurant on the drive back or go farther east over the border to Siloam Springs, AK to find a lunch spot in that town. I stopped by Heart & Soul Kitchen in Kansas, OK for a sandwich after one of the workers at the park office recommended it. Heart & Soul Kitchen makes their own bread from scratch, which is good news for anyone who likes a home-cooked meal. Their carrot cake was delicious too, and hit the spot after an afternoon exploring the trails and river of Natural Falls.