I didn't really know what to imagine when it came to a backcountry Oklahoma traffic jam, but here I am, following a horse-drawn carriage over a river crossing to complete the scene. But the slow cruise was worth it as I soaked up the bright green creek flowing from the park's main attraction: Oklahoma's tallest waterfall. A travel destination like Turner Falls in Davis, OK is a rarity in the plains of the US, and better yet, is only a two-hour day trip from Dallas or Oklahoma City.
A mere fifteen-minute prior, I had been surrounded by miles of flat farmland with a splash of strip malls. But as I headed toward the Arbuckle Mountains, I was shocked to see the sudden evolution of elevation. Dense trees and precious streams lined the country roads once I hopped off of interstate 35. The town of Davis is quaint, but the real star of this area of Oklahoma is Turner Falls Park, an epic swimming hole and salvation from the summertime heat.
Whether you find yourself at Turner Falls as a beautiful swimming hole solution for a day trip from DFW or you're looking to explore more of what southern Oklahoma has to offer, here's everything you need to know about Turner Falls Park and some of the best things to do around Davis, OK:
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Turner Falls in Davis, OK:
Admission Details & Cost of Entry
Swimming
Camping & Cabins on Premise
Hiking Around The Falls
Things to Do Near Davis, OK
turner falls Cost of Entry
The entire surrounding area of Turner Falls is an admission-gated park. During the summer, the park often hits capacity so it’s important that you reserve your tickets online ahead of time to assure entrance. Wouldn't it be such a buzz kill if you made the drive up to Turner Falls from Dallas only to be greeted with a "Park Full" sign?
The cost of entry between October and April is a mere $6 per person for a day pass. During the peak summer months, admission into Turner Falls is $16 on weekdays and $20 on weekends or holidays. Cost decrease for children, seniors, and active military. Parking packs an additional punch during peak season with two different options depending on how far you're willing to walk. Level one where you'll find the natural swimming pool at the foot of the waterfall, level two is still doable if you plan to potentially drop off your party with the picnic goods at the bottom of the hill and continue on.
Amenities & THING TO DO at Turner Falls
It’s fair to say that Turner Falls Park is actually the Disney of Oklahoma. With tons to do for the entire family, you could easily spend an entire weekend soaking up the sun and exploring the park. Definitely plan to get there as early as you can to truly take advantage and relax - plus you’ll be able to secure the best spot possible.
Swimming at Turner Falls
Swimming holes in Oklahoma can be hard to come by so this is clearly the winner when it comes to activities. Be sure to bring towels, water shoes, a floaty, beach chairs, and plenty of sunscreen. You can swim at the base of the waterfall most days but the higher river that flows down as the falls is actually an amazing place to get a bit more privacy and solitude.
Camping & Cabins
I’m going to be honest, I scouted the campground scene and I’d personally rather opt for a day trip to Turner Falls than stay at the campgrounds. The land is extremely open for the most part and is first come first serve for tent camping. The un-covered nature is not ideal for the summer heat but also I’m more of a secluded camping gal myself. It could be amazing for an affordable family reunion weekend on the other hand. There are also cabins at Turner Falls Park for rent that seems to be much more private and pretty darn cute that are worth exploring as an option for an overnight stay.
Hiking around Turner Falls
Hiking at Turner Falls isn't exactly the star of the show, but rather a light cameo at best. Finding the trailheads based on the vague map proved to be pretty difficult. I took my hiking guidance from two sources: 1) physically seeing a couple wandering on the other side of the river from the caves overlook and 2) a loose description on All Trails to start at the foot of the main falls itself.
There are a few hiking trails around Turner Falls that appear on the maps that sometimes interconnect but it’s my understanding that it’s all a little touch and go in terms of labeled trails.
I opted to hike behind the bathhouse to the left of the falls and it was a surprisingly tough hill to climb. Once at the top I just continued on in hopes that I'd eventually find my way to where I had seen the couple earlier in the day. Pretty sure I was paving my own path on that one as I had to scale down a steep slope of loose rocks but hey, it made for an unexpected adventure. Once I found myself walking the same shore where I spotted the couple, I was able to cross over the river and meander my way back through the woods down to the other side of the falls.
Things to Do Nearby Turner Falls
As far as Davis goes, the town is limited in its offering but does have a convenience store, a Subway (which is where I bought my lunch for the day), and a thrift store. This is a very traditional small town so if you're looking for a bit more to explore you might want to consider heading to the neighboring town of Sulphur. I didn't make it out there but as far as activities go, Sulphur seems to be where it’s at as far as southern Oklahoma goes. for outdoors lovers, check out Chickasaw National Recreation Area as another great Oklahoma swimming hole with plenty of hiking. For those looking for a cool cultural experience specific to the area and tribes of Oklahoma, there is the Chickasaw Cultural Center in town that hosts fun, interactive events for the whole family.