Falls Trail (Keystone Ancient Forest) Hiking Guide
The Falls Trail is the hard way through Keystone Ancient Forest, the City of Sand Springs' old-growth cross timbers preserve above Keystone Lake. It wanders the southern part of the property on rocky, steep ground and crosses two waterfalls that only run when the creeks have water. Plan around the forest's short weekly schedule; it is not open every day.
Distance and Difficulty
Sand Springs rates the Falls Trail difficult and gives it about 3.5 miles on its trails page; the preserve map lists 3.4 miles one way. Those figures cover the trail itself. AllTrails, measuring the whole loop from the visitor center, lists about 4.7 miles with roughly 511 feet of climbing, the most of any route in the preserve. This page uses the city's 3.5 miles; the 511 feet of climbing is AllTrails' figure for that longer full loop. Expect rocky footing, steep pitches and some wet crossings.
The Waterfalls
The city describes two intermittent falls along the route, so what you see depends on recent rain. They need rain to run, so time a visit for a few days after a good soaking if the falls are the point. The city also warns of potential wet areas on the route, so pick shoes accordingly and test each rock before you step on it.
An Old-Growth Forest
Keystone Ancient Forest protects a stand of cross timbers where some eastern red cedars are about 500 years old and post oaks reach 300. The city puts the preserve at 1,380 acres (TravelOK says 1,360), and it was the first Oklahoma property admitted to the Old Growth Forest Network. The city's wildlife list includes deer, bobcats, eagles and mountain lions, plus more than 80 butterfly species.
Hours, Parking and Dogs
The forest opens Thursday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the gate is locked promptly at closing, so start a long loop early. Entry is free. The lot at 160 Ancient Forest Drive fills on busy days; the city warns visitors to park creatively until the asphalt lot is expanded. Dogs are allowed only on pet-friendly weekends: the city lists the first full weekend and the third weekend of each month, on a 6-foot leash. TravelOK gives a narrower rule (first Saturday and third Sunday), so check the city's calendar before bringing one.
When to Go
Go after a wet spell for the best odds of seeing the falls run. Cool days in fall and winter are also kinder for 500 feet of climbing on rock than a humid Oklahoma summer afternoon. Volunteer trail guides are on site to answer questions, and the visitor center is climate-controlled. The city recommends its trails for hikers from about fourth grade up.
Hiking tips for Falls Trail (Keystone Ancient Forest)
- Check the day before you drive: the forest is open only Thursday through Sunday.
- Leave yourself time to be back at the gate before it locks at closing.
- Go a day or two after rain if you want the falls flowing.
- Wear boots with real tread for the rocky climbs and wet crossings.
- Fill bottles at the trailhead; the preserve map lists water only there.
Nearby trails to explore
- Frank and Wilson Trails (Keystone Ancient Forest)
- Yellow Trail (Turkey Mountain)
- Lake Trail (Osage Hills State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Keystone Ancient Forest keeps short hours, so a group plan helps. Post a Falls Trail hike in TrailMates for a Friday or weekend morning, use the event's group chat to share rides from Tulsa and pick an early start, and meet at the visitor center. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.