Ozark foothills, Oklahoma
Visiting Ozark Highlands
What to know, what to do, and where to stay nearby.
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The Ozark Highlands are not a single destination — they are the landscape Ferncrest Flint Creek sits in. Rolling wooded hills, hollows cut by creeks, long quiet country roads, and overlooks that open onto miles of unbroken forest. For Ferncrest guests, this is not somewhere you drive to. It is what surrounds you every morning and fills every evening.
What to Do
Everything Ozark Highlands has to offer
Scenic drives are the easiest way to experience the highlands. Highway 59 north of Colcord and the back roads toward Kansas, Oklahoma wind through pastoral countryside with long views, old barns, and the occasional roadside farm stand. There is no itinerary — just drive, pull over when you see something worth stopping for, and keep going.
For photographers, early morning and late afternoon light transform the hills. Fog in the hollows on cool mornings, and golden hour reflecting off the ridges in fall, are two of the most memorable shots you can get in this region.
Wildlife viewing is quiet but rewarding. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, red-tailed hawks, and the occasional bobcat are all common. Early mornings along the creek bottoms and ridges are the best times to spot wildlife. The area is also on a migratory bird flyway, making spring and fall especially active.
Beyond the driving, the highlands include several small towns worth stopping in for a meal, a coffee, or a browse. Jay, Westville, and Stilwell each have their own character and local spots. For a full highland loop, the drive from Ferncrest through Kansas, OK and back via Natural Falls is a perfect half-day out.
Why It's Worth the Trip
More than a pin on the map.
Most visitors to this part of Oklahoma are here for the creeks and the lakes. But the hills themselves are the real soul of the region — older than the Rockies, shaped by millions of years of water, and still felt in the bones of the landscape. For Ferncrest guests, spending a morning or afternoon just driving through the highlands is the kind of experience that shifts the whole tempo of a trip.
Seasonal Guide
Best time to visit Ozark Highlands
Spring
Spring green-up transforms the hills in a matter of weeks. Redbuds and dogwoods bloom across the understory in March and April. Wildlife is active and visible. Cool mornings often bring fog to the hollows.
Summer
The highlands are fully green and deeply shaded. Summer drives are best in the cooler morning hours. Country stands selling fresh produce become a reason to pull over.
Fall
Peak season for the highlands. Fall foliage across the ridges and hollows is spectacular from mid-October through early November. Ozark fall color is underrated and some of the best in the central U.S.
Winter
Bare trees open up long ridge views that are hidden in summer. The highlands take on a stark, quiet beauty. Occasional snow and ice make dramatic scenes. Drives are quieter and quicker.
Frequently asked questions
Where to Stay
Stay at Ferncrest Flint Creek
Surrounding the property
Ferncrest Flint Creek is set directly in the Ozark Highlands — the landscape is already around you the moment you check in. Wake up, brew coffee, and watch fog clear out of the hollows. Drive a loop through the hills, stop at Natural Falls, grab lunch in Siloam Springs, and come back to Ferncrest by late afternoon with the creek waiting. The highlands are not a day trip. They are the entire stay.
