Turner Falls

Turner Falls, in the Arbuckle Mountains of south-central Oklahoma, is the tallest waterfall in the state at 77 feet — a beautiful cascade plunging over a travertine dam into a natural swimming pool of clear, spring-fed water in the wooded Honey Creek valley. Set within the privately operated Turner Falls Park, the falls and their turquoise pool are one of Oklahoma’s most beloved natural destinations.

Surrounded by the rocky cedar and hardwood hills of the Arbuckle Mountains, Turner Falls Park offers swimming in the natural pool below the falls, hiking through limestone canyons and caves, castle ruins, and camping along the clear, spring-fed Honey Creek. The falls glow in the afternoon light, and on hot Oklahoma days the cool spring-fed waters are irresistible. As Oklahoma’s largest waterfall, Turner Falls is a treasured natural icon of the state.

Turner Falls Park is enjoyed for swimming in the natural pool below the falls and in the park’s spring-fed streams, hiking through the Arbuckle Mountain limestone canyons and caves (including a cave accessible by a short walk), exploring the historic castle ruins on the hillside, camping and picnicking along Honey Creek, and photography of the falls and the clear turquoise pool. Swimming in the natural pool beneath Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall and exploring the caves and canyon are the signature draws. The combination of a dramatic waterfall, crystal-clear spring-fed swimming and cave hiking is unique in Oklahoma.

Late spring through early fall is the main season, with summer bringing warm weather perfect for swimming in the natural pool (and the park at its busiest and most festive), and spring and fall offering milder temperatures and smaller crowds for hiking and enjoying the falls. The park is open year-round, and the waterfall is most powerful after spring rains. Summer for swimming, spring and fall for milder hiking and fewer crowds are the highlights — come on weekdays or early to avoid peak-summer crowds at the pool, and enjoy the falls in the golden afternoon light.

The Arbuckle Mountains and Honey Creek are part of the homeland of the Chickasaw Nation (whose territory this was). The falls take their name from Mazeppa Thomas Turner, a settler who developed the site in the late 19th century; Honey Creek powered an early grist mill. The iconic castle ruins visible above the falls were built in the mid-20th century. Turner Falls Park has been a beloved Oklahoma destination for generations. Turner Falls preserves Oklahoma’s largest waterfall and its storied Arbuckle Mountain setting, a treasured icon of the state.

Turner Falls is a travertine waterfall — the cascade flows over a ledge built up by calcium carbonate deposited from the mineral-rich spring-fed waters of Honey Creek, creating the distinctive rusty-orange and white travertine ledge over which the falls plunge. The Arbuckle Mountains are an ancient, deeply eroded range — a geological window into very old rocks (Ordovician and Cambrian) pushed up and exposed by ancient forces, now forming the rocky, cedar-covered hills around the falls. The travertine ledge, the spring-fed creek and the ancient Arbuckle Mountain rocks created this Oklahoma waterfall.

The cedar and hardwood hills, limestone caves, and spring-fed creek of Turner Falls Park host white-tailed deer, ringtail cats, raccoons, wild turkeys, and a diverse birdlife of woodland, riparian and cave-associated species, along with cave-dwelling bats and a variety of reptiles. The sheltered, wooded Honey Creek valley is rich in wildlife. Turner Falls offers pleasant wildlife watching and birding for visitors who venture beyond the swimming pool, with deer, wild turkeys and bats among the sights.

Turner Falls and Honey Creek flow through the Arbuckle Mountains, a region of spring-fed streams, limestone caves and cedar-hardwood woodland, where the clear spring-fed water sustains an aquatic and riparian ecosystem of unusual clarity and quality for the southern plains. The travertine ledge, the clear creek, the limestone cave habitats and the wooded hills support diverse species. The spring-fed water quality, the travertine and cave habitats and the woodland are sensitive. Protecting the water quality and the habitats sustains both the ecology and the clear, beautiful natural swimming pool at the foot of the falls.

Turner Falls holds a treasured place among the icons of Oklahoma — the state’s tallest waterfall, a beloved natural swimming destination amid the Arbuckle Mountains, with spring-fed turquoise water, castle ruins and limestone caves, on the homeland of the Chickasaw Nation. For generations of Oklahomans, the natural pool at the foot of the falls has been the quintessential summer swimming hole. Turner Falls is a cherished natural icon of Oklahoma.

Turner Falls Park is in the Arbuckle Mountains of south-central Oklahoma, about 90 miles south of Oklahoma City on U.S. 77 near the town of Davis, easily accessible via Interstate 35 (take the Davis/Sulphur exit). Turner Falls Park is privately operated and charges an admission fee (rates vary; higher on summer weekends). The park has multiple parking areas, the swimming area at the falls, hiking trails, cave access, camping, cabins and picnic facilities. It is one of Oklahoma’s most popular destinations and gets very crowded on summer weekends. Check Turner Falls Park for current admission rates, hours and conditions before visiting.

Turner Falls Park is privately operated and manages the site. Visitors help by not polluting the spring-fed pool and creek (no sunscreens that harm aquatic life, no littering), staying on designated trails and away from unstable limestone ledges, respecting the cave environments, packing out everything, and following all park rules. The spring-fed water quality, the travertine ledge and the cave habitats are sensitive. Protecting the water, the travertine and the caves sustains both the ecology and the crystal-clear, beautiful natural pool at Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall.

The waterfall area and limestone ledges can be slippery — wear water shoes with grip at the pool and don’t climb the travertine ledge or jump from heights above the pool. The natural pool varies in depth; supervise children closely in the water. The caves can be dark and uneven — bring a flashlight. Summer crowds are intense; arrive early. Heat is significant outside the water on summer days. Watch for slippery rocks, sudden pool depth changes, cave hazards, and the intense summer heat and sun.

An admission fee applies (check current rates for adults and children; higher on summer weekends). Alcohol is not permitted. Stay out of the waterfall above the falls and off the travertine ledge. Swim only in designated areas; supervise children. Stay on designated trails; do not damage the cave environment or travertine. Pets are not permitted in some areas of the park (check current rules). Pack out all trash; leave no trace. Fires only in designated areas if camping. Check Turner Falls Park for current admission, rules and conditions before visiting.

The city of Davis (just north), the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and the town of Sulphur (with its natural springs and mineral baths) to the east, Arbuckle Lake, and the Arbuckle Mountains and south-central Oklahoma plains lie near Turner Falls. The Arbuckle Mountains define the region. Turner Falls anchors the outdoor experience of the Arbuckle Mountains, a centerpiece of an Oklahoma nature trip, easily combined with the Chickasaw NRA’s springs and mineral waters, Arbuckle Lake and the region’s geology.

Visit Turner Falls on a weekday or arrive at opening on summer weekends to beat the crowds at the natural pool (it gets extremely busy in summer). Wear water shoes with good grip at the pool (the travertine and wet rocks are slippery), bring sunscreen (reef-safe to protect the spring-fed water), and explore the limestone cave and the trail up to the castle ruins for the best views of the falls. Swim in the pool below the falls, not above it, and watch children carefully. Combine your trip with the Chickasaw National Recreation Area’s natural springs at Sulphur, just east on Interstate 35.