Are there fees or permits required for Webbers Falls (historical)?

No, there are no fees required to visit Webbers Falls (historical).

Is swimming allowed at Webbers Falls (historical)?

No, swimming is not allowed at Webbers Falls (historical).

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Webbers Falls (historical) near Carlisle, Oklahoma

LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP

Nearby gauge (Illinois River) · 40 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Webbers Falls (historical)

Q: Are dogs allowed at Webbers Falls (historical)?

No, dogs are not allowed at Webbers Falls (historical).

Oklahoma

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Cherokee Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area TRIBL · DESG

Difficulty

Drive Up

About Webbers Falls (historical)

Webbers Falls is a historical river site on the Arkansas River in southeastern Muskogee County, Oklahoma, and gives its name to the small town of Webbers Falls (population 338 at the 2020 census). The place takes its name from a once-prominent seven-foot waterfall that marked a trading and meeting place established by Cherokee leader Walter Webber, who opened a trading post here in 1818 and was a leader among the Western Cherokee (“Old Settlers”). That modest cascade was inundated when the Webbers Falls Lock and Dam was built in the mid-20th century, so the original falls are no longer visible today. The site lies within the Cherokee Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area (land unit designation TRIBL) and is noted as being managed by tribal authorities (manager code: TRIB), with land ownership recorded as DESG. Visitors are drawn more for riverside strolls, local history and the town’s riverfront setting than for a classic waterfall hike; interpretive signs and historic points of interest in town help tell the story of Walter Webber and the community that grew up around the river.

The Setting

Webbers Falls (historical) sits at 459 feet within Cherokee Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area, in the coastal lowlands of Oklahoma.

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. Webbers Falls (historical) is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

Trail Description

There is no official USFS trail to the original falls, which now sit underwater behind the Webbers Falls Lock and Dam. Surface, grade and USFS trail classification data are not available for a formal trail corridor here, so expect a mix of town streets and informal riverbank paths rather than a designated forest trail.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect to learn about the historical significance of Webbers Falls and enjoy views of the Arkansas River. The original waterfall is no longer present, but the area offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and exploring the local history.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Webbers Falls (historical)?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Webbers Falls (historical)?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring and fall are ideal times to visit due to mild weather, but the area is accessible year-round.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Be cautious near the river, as currents can be strong. Seasonal flooding may occur, so check conditions before visiting.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Illinois River, 7.8 miles away, not on Webbers Falls (historical)'s own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

40 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

65 202 1.6k 3.3k

Based on 73 years of record

6.31 ft

Water depth at gauge

62°F

Cool

Refreshing for swimming

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle. Water temperature is a refreshing 62 degrees F, good for a quick swim. Expect adequate dissolved oxygen levels.

Water Quality

7.6 mg/L

Dissolved Oxygen

Good

Adequate oxygen levels

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

Illinois River near Gore, OK

USGS 07198000

7.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 1,615 sq mi

Altitude: 468 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Illinois River near Gore, OK (13 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

40 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Moderate

43 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

50 cfs

9/10

Tue

Moderate

57 cfs

8/10

Wed

Moderate

50 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

42 cfs

6/10

Fri

Moderate

59 cfs

9/10

Sat

Moderate

46 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to late May, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Carlisle hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Webbers Falls (historical) Frozen?

Updated about 23 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Webbers Falls (historical) is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 58°F to 34°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 44 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Webbers Falls (historical) near Carlisle, Oklahoma, for comparison with the lidar view

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Webbers Falls is located near the town of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, along the Arkansas River. The site can be accessed via Interstate 40, with nearby exits leading to the town.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available in the town of Webbers Falls or near the river access points. Specific parking areas for the historical site may be limited.

Elevation

459 feet above sea level

Coordinates

35.460833° N, -95.054444° W

Land Management

Cherokee Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area TRIBL

Managed by TRIB

Visitor Tips & Gear

Bring a camera to capture the scenic views of the Arkansas River. Check local weather conditions before visiting, as the area may be affected by seasonal flooding.