From the early 1920s until some time in the 1930s when the economic depression caused the nursery's failure, non-native plants were taking hold. As a result, exotic species such as mimosa, Japanese privet and date palm can still be found. The most obvious feature at Falling Waters is the sinkhole characterized by conical depressions with steep limestone walls where ferns and mosses take hold. Around the sinks and near the bottom of the hills, you can detect the slope forest with its well-developed, closed canopy forest of upland hardwoods on steep slopes and ravines. The trees found there are white oak, Southern magnolia, sourwood, American beech and flowering dogwood.
Wild azaleas reach peak bloom in the spring.
The upland pine forest rolls with widely-spaced pines, few under story shrubs and a dense groundcover of grasses and herbs. Broad, open areas encourage growth of fields of wildflowers such as meadow-beauty and Osceola's plume. Fox squirrels, red fox, red-headed woodpeckers, bobwhite, quail, as well as many other animals inhabit the pine forest. Activities Falling Waters offers camping, swimming, picnicking and nature trails, which guide visitors through the unique plant and geological formations of the park. The campground has a campfire circle for camper gatherings and summer interpretive programs presented by one of the Ranger staff.