Natural Falls is Oklahoma's newest state park. Once privately owned and operated as a tourist attraction, this park was used in the 1970 filming of "Where The Red Fern Grows", (a pretty good movie in my humble opinion).

This 120-acre park is typical of the geology of the Ozark Highlands. Moving water creates caves and sinkholes in the limestone rock found in the area.

On the dry, rocky ridge top portion of the park, oaks and stunted grasses struggle to survive in the thin soil.

As you travel down the trail to view the beautiful 77-foot waterfall, the terrain changes and you encounter a dense forest of maple, oaks, and dogwood.

The waterfall, which drops from the top of the park to a clear pool of water below, creates a moist environment where ferns, mosses and liverworts thrive.

Caves in the region are important to the survival of bats and salamanders. Other area wildlife include bobcat, coyote, opossum, deer, hawks and owls. One night, unaware of my presence, an opossum wandered into our campsite. I had the unique opportunity to observe him scrounging for food.

Gerry and I truly enjoyed the solitude and natural splendor of the two miles of hiking trails, pathways and boardwalks located in Natural Falls State Park.

Future developments for the park include a reconstructed bridge over a portion of the canyon, interpretive signage and an amphitheater.