Natural Falls State Park - Colcord, Oklahoma
When one thinks of Oklahoma it’s easy to picture flat wheat fields and cattle ranches stretching as far as the eye can see, but there’s much more to our beautiful state than many folks realize.
Both out-of-towners and Oklahomans alike tend to overlook the Ozark and Kiamichi Mountains, the beautiful rivers and streams, and endless forests and natural wonders that make up eastern and southern Oklahoma.
One of the most remarkable spectacles that should be on every Midwesterner’s bucket list is the 77-foot waterfall located at Natural Falls State Park.
Where the Red Fern Grows
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In 1961 a man by the name of Wilson Rawls wrote the American classic “Where the Red Fern Grows,” a love story about a boy and his two redbone coonhounds growing up poor in the Oklahoma Ozarks. In 1974 it was adapted for the silver screen along with a 1992 sequel and a 2003 remake.
I still remember the first time I read that book. It was 2006 in my Pre-AP Literature class at Clyde Boyd Middle School. I teared up at the end, and I’m not even ashamed to admit it. There’s something special about the love a boy has for his first dog, and Rawls captured it perfectly.
The original film adaptation was splendid, and the producers did it right by filming the picture right here in Colcord, Oklahoma at what was then known as Dripping Springs.
Up until 1990 Dripping Springs operated as a privately owned park and tourist destination. Then the State of Oklahoma purchased it and renamed it, making it a state park.
My fiancée had been to Natural Falls a few times over the years, but I had never had the opportunity before. When I realized this week that I actually had a rare Saturday with nothing going on, I jumped at the opportunity to make a day trip out of it.
Somehow, Charity has never seen nor read “Where the Red Fern Grows,” though I plan on making her watch it soon at the very least.
Early in the movie, Billy Coleman hikes some 20+ miles to Tahlequah to purchase his two dogs, and on the walk back he has to stop and camp overnight. That next morning America got its first view of the incredible Dripping Springs waterfall, some thirty minutes into the movie.
Oklahoma’s Tallest Waterfall
Accessing the waterfall now is fairly simple for the average able-bodied person. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the falls, but it is a very steep climb that most folks will find fairly challenging. There are concrete steps going to and from the base of the falls with an observation deck at the bottom.
The falls can also be viewed from above and the viewing platform there is easily accessible even for a handicapped individual. The view from the top pales in comparison to the base of the falls, but it’s still worth a visit if you’re incapable of making it to the bottom.
While Turner Falls typically lays claim to being the tallest waterfall in Oklahoma, both Natural Falls and Turner Falls are the same height at 77 feet.
There is no wading or swimming allowed at the falls, and leaving the observation deck is discouraged in the name of conservation, though it’s not technically against the rules.
Hiking at Natural Falls
Natural Falls has immediately become one of my favorite places to hike, but that’s only due to the incredible scenery, not thanks to the park’s hiking trails. The trails were poorly marked and very difficult to navigate with endless false leads.
I highly recommend hiking with the All Trails app open if you want to complete your hike on time and with little difficulty. If you’re comfortable off-trailing and are good at keeping your bearings, then by all means turn loose!
Charity and I were rarely on the actual trail, sometimes by choice and sometimes due to false leads and poor maintenance, but I was always comfortable with my understanding of where we were in the park. It’s only 120 acres, so it would be fairly difficult to get lost in it, especially since you can always use the streams as a guide.
If you’re not an experienced hiker but are planning a visit, I have to stress the importance of bringing substantial water. Far too often I see families setting out on hikes with a single water bottle apiece, or less. You’re not going to starve on a hike. You don’t need three sandwiches apiece and endless fruit and chips. Pack water. As much water as you can.
I personally recommend the ECEEN hydration backpack with a solar panel. I got this camelback in 2016 to use for playing Pokémon Go, and the solar charger is super helpful since your phone is your best hope for rescue if you’re injured or lost. Even with the full camelback, I can fit another handful of water bottles inside, plus granola, crackers, and some emergency tools.
My favorite thing about the hike was the massive rock features and caves that litter the landscape and the fact that most of the trail follows old creek beds. I grew up in the woods and we always used to hike the creeks like they were trails. I feel like a kid again anytime I find myself in the woods, off the beaten path.
We saw lots of wildlife on the hike: mostly birds and lizards, but we also spooked a herd of deer and found an armadillo skeleton!
I do have to warn anyone who visits Natural Falls; the trails are very rough and poorly maintained. There is poison ivy. There is very loose rock on sheer hillsides that can shift suddenly beneath you. You will have to cross a creek or two on small, loose stepping stones. There is a fair bit of trash out there, so please bring a bag with you to collect what the bums leave behind.
By the time we found ourselves back at civilization we were worn thin. The heat index was in the upper 90s and we had also played a round of disc golf at the camp grounds prior to our hike.
Camping at Natural Falls
Natural Falls has several camping options, including tent and RV sites with full water, sewer, and electric hookups. They also have several yurts. I have to say, I don’t think I would ever camp there, however.
Natural Falls is right off highway 412 - not very secluded or natural in the campground area. While the trail areas are beautiful, the campgrounds didn’t feel any different from your typical neighborhood park. The yurts were at least somewhat secluded.
There are plenty of activities for the family, including playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, and a full 18-hole disc golf course.
The Natural Falls disc golf course wasn’t spectacular, but it wasn’t bad either. In my experience, most State parks are terrible. I actually enjoyed Natural Falls a lot, but it needs some fixes.
The back nine isn’t integrated to the front nine whatsoever, and there’s an insane walk between holes nine and ten. The natural tees are very unsafe, but the baskets are brand new and the signage is great.
With some concrete tees and a new numbering system, the course would be very nice. I recommend playing 1-7, then 10-18, then 8-9. The course needs other tweaks as well, for safety reasons. There are a few crowded fairways and picnic tables in the middle of throwing paths. But overall, it was a very enjoyable round.
There is also a low-water dam and a small lake downstream from the falls that allows fishing, but it’s completely covered in thick algae and not very attractive.
Overall, I don’t really think there’s enough to do in the park to warrant a camping trip. Perhaps in a luxurious RV, but I wouldn’t much care to put in the effort of pitching a tent there and sleeping in the heat for a park whose activities can be fully exhausted in a single day.
Additionally, the park needs major improvements. I already mentioned the disc golf course flaws and the terrible trail markings and maintenance. The entire campgrounds were infested with mosquitos and the visitor’s center doesn’t sell much of anything that’s actually useful. I was shocked to see they didn’t even have sunscreen or bug spray. There was also very little informational signage throughout the park talking about its history.
It’s kind of shocking that the City of Colcord hasn’t capitalized on the park. If I’m them, I’m recruiting a hotel across the street, building an amphitheater for movie nights and concerts, and trying to get a restaurant, snow cone stand, and convenience store there.
All in all, Natural Falls should absolutely be on the bucket list of every Oklahoman, but you can definitely knock it all out in a day.
