Natural Falls State Park, located about 15 minutes west of Siloam Springs in Delaware County, Okla., "features a 77-foot-tall waterfall cascading through rock formations and creating a hidden, serene atmosphere at the bottom of a narrow V-shaped valley," according to the Oklahoma State Parks website.
The 120-acre park has 44 campsites and five trails, ranging from easy to difficult walks.
Dripping Springs Trail is handicapped accessible from the entrance to the overlook of the waterfall.
"A railed observation platform allows hikers to overlook the falls and another observation deck with seating is located at the foot of the falls offering two vantage points to enjoy one of the most scenic wonders in the state," according to the website. "The beautiful scenery looks familiar to many visitors because scenes from the 1974 movie, 'Where the Red Fern Grows' were filmed in the park."
The movie was being shown at Siloam Springs theaters when Maggie Aldridge Smith was writing "Hico A Heritage, Siloam Springs History," which was published in 1976. She wrote about seeing photos of Dripping Springs dating back to 1911.
The state park also has a 3-acre lake and a 110-foot-high bridge that overlooks the falls and valley below.
Park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle.
More information is available online at bit.ly/1S65OCe.
Community on 06/24/2015