A state known for its incredible natural beauty, the waterfalls in Southern Oregon are undoubtedly the most compelling reason to add at least a few days to your Oregon itinerary.
The opportunities for landscape and nature photography in the region are often overlooked despite many of the best waterfalls in Oregon being located in the south of the state.
While Instagram and social media have begun to increase awareness of some of the more famous waterfalls in Oregon, the Rogue Valley and Umpqua National Forest regions are still lesser-visited destinations with some amazing hidden gems to offer.
Whether you are a traveler on a West Coast road trip, a photographer looking for unique destinations, or even a local Oregonian in search of a weekend outing, this travel guide will provide insight into the dozens of accessible waterfalls to help you plan your perfect Oregon road trip.
Most of the waterfall hikes in Southern Oregon you will find in this guide require no more than a 1.5-mile roundtrip commitment. If you are planning on staying nearby, Medford will be the best option to make your home base.
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π₯Ύ Waterfalls in Southern Oregon Hikes & Itinerary
At the bottom of this post, I have included a driving itinerary and route maps. The list of waterfalls below is presented in the order suggested within this itinerary, assuming that you will start in Roseburg.
You will also find photos of each of the falls and travel distances, drive time, and hiking distances to the waterfalls.
1. Wolf Creek Falls
Drive time: 45 minutes
Distance: 32 miles
Hike to Wolf Creek Falls: 1.2-mile roundtrip
Wolf Creek Falls is the closest of many waterfalls near Roseburg.
This first stop is a fitting place to begin your journey, as you will actually be getting two waterfalls for the price of one!
As you near the falls, you will first come across a vantage point of a small waterfall in front of the actual Wolf Creek Falls. It was difficult to get an unobstructed view, but I did find a composition I liked using a fallen log as a leading line (see below).
While this was not necessarily my favourite of the falls, I do enjoy its unique, twisted appearance. Its almost as if someone tried warping it in photoshop!
2 & 3. Yakso Falls, Hemlock Falls, & Lake in the Woods
(from Wolf Creek Falls)
Drive time: 37 minutes
Distance: 16 miles
Hike to Yakso Falls: 1.4-mile roundtrip
Hike to Hemlock Falls: 1-mile roundtrip
Our next stop is another waterfall near Roseburg and another double feature (triple if you count Lake in the Woods!)
To find the waterfalls, set your GPS guidance to Lake In the Woods campground. If you are not using GPS, just follow Little River Road (which you should already be on) 16 miles until youβve reached the campground.
Lake in the Woods is a beautiful destination in and of itself. The trailheads to Yakso Falls and Hemlock Falls both begin at the campground as well.
Yakso Falls required only a short walk through some beautiful woods and delivered my preferred photography opportunity of the two. You can easily walk down to the falls or shoot from higher up on the trail. I loved the way the large boulder at the bottom broke up the flow of water, as well as the emerald green color of the water.
Hemlock Falls is impressive during times of the year with heavy flow, but can be underwhelming for winter visits.
There are three levels (Upper, Middle, and Lower) that are accessible outside the winter months. Unfortunately, the weather prevented us from accessing most of the Hemlock Falls, and the water flow was pretty minimal.
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4. Toketee Falls
(from Lake in the Woods Campground)
Driving Time: 1 hour
Distance: 35 miles
Hike to Toketee Falls: 1.5-mile roundtrip
If you only visit one waterfall in Southern Oregon, make it Toketee Falls! This is my personal favorite in the area, perhaps in the state!
You will be departing from civilization at this point and following the North Umpqua River along Hwy 138. Expect to spend some time with your nose pressed to the glass!
Upon arrival at Toketee, the hike from the parking lot to the waterfall takes about 15 minutes if you go directly there, but you may be tempted to take some of the foot trails that wander from the main path towards the river. That will be discussed below.
You will arrive at a large, elevated boardwalk that provides a stunning view of Toketee Falls below. At first glance, it almost looks like the North Umpqua River has carved a path through ancient fossilized trees.
In fact, the rock that it flows through is columnar basalt. The viewpoint is likely to be busy from midday, and you may notice some people at the bottom. This brings us to a necessary discussion on accessing Toketee Falls directlyβ¦
Accessing the bottom of Toketee Falls
As I have made a point to mention in each of my guides, I believe that my job is not to condemn nor condone, but to inform. To that end, I will try to be concise and specific with my advice on going off-trail if you want to see some of the smaller waterfalls near Toketee Falls, or to get to the base of the main waterfall:
First, there have been multiple drownings at Toketee Falls in the past few years. HOWEVER, contrary to popular belief, these deaths were not caused by the rope trail that leads to the bottom of the falls!
As you will surely discover, it would be very difficult to slip and fall to a watery death from here, as you are a long way away from the river. It is, however, a slippery and difficult climb and there is a realistic risk of injury.
If you decide to attempt the climb down, bring proper shoes and do not attempt in snowy or muddy conditions. Finding the way down should be pretty obvious, just look for the hole in the fence at the viewpoint.
As for going off-trail during the hike to the falls, there are some beautiful spots to do so, just please do not stand too close to the edge. There are obviously no railings and if you were to fall into the gorge, you would not be getting out. That said, there is nothing inherently dangerous in most of these areas as long as you do not get too brave near the water’s edge.
All that aside, I am an absolute nature lover and it is my belief that we are meant to enjoy its beauty however we connect to it. For me, that means with a tripod and camera. For others, standing on the viewing platform is enjoyment enough. There are even some who live for adrenaline-inducing outdoor adventures, like kayaking straight over the falls!
As long as what you are doing does not damage a delicate ecosystem or alter the way of life for its inhabitants, I personally believe that, as a species, we are wired to explore. And yes, even take mindful risks from time to time.
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5. Watson Falls
(from Toketee Falls)
Drive Time: 5 minutes
Distance: 3 miles
Hike to Watson Falls: 1.2 (steeper grade than any other so far)
Now we have entered the thick of things! There are 4 waterfalls near Toketee Falls alone, all within 15 minutes of each other by car.
Only a 5-minute drive from my favorite Southern Oregon waterfall (Toketee) and you arrive at my second favorite; Watson Falls!
At 272ft tall, Watson Falls is the largest drop of all the waterfalls in Southern Oregon and the second-highest in the state. The tallest is also the most famous waterfall in Oregon; none other than Multnomah Falls (located in the Columbia River Gorge near Portland).
Be prepared for a more strenuous hike than the others, despite only being half a mile to the top. The good news is that there are many photo opportunities on the way up the trail, meaning you will have a couple of chances to stop, set up a tripod, and catch your breath. My favorite composition is the one above. Just before arriving at the footbridge, you can see the falls looming in the distance with some great smaller tumbles to use as your foreground.
The best part about this waterfall is that you can walk right up to it, if you choose to do so. There are plenty of unique compositions for photography enthusiasts, and a comfortable viewing platform for those who want to sit and enjoy.
6. Whitehorse Falls
(from Watson Falls)
Drive Time: 7 minutes
Distance: 5 miles
Hike to Whitehorse Falls: None
After hiking to Toketee and Watson Falls, you will be relieved to know that Whitehorse Falls requires no hike whatsoever! It also has a nice picnic area and restroom facilities if you want to stop for lunch or take a break.
As for the waterfall itself, Whitehorse is considered mediocre when measured against most Oregon waterfalls⦠the drop is very small, and by this point, you may be acclimating a bit to the brand of wilderness that the Umpqua National Forest provides. However, from a photography standpoint, Whitehorse Falls ROCKS!
What I love about this little waterfall are the criss-crossing logs that form a perfect X shape. With a wide enough angle lens, you should be able to fit the entire scene in one frame from the viewpoint, which results in a photo that is thought by most to be better than the reality.
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7. Clearwater Falls
(from Whitehorse Falls)
Drive Time: 9 minutes
Distance: 5.8 miles
Hike to Clearwater Falls: None
Another great place to picnic, Clearwater Falls is the most unique one weβll explore on our 1-2 day itinerary. Rather than featuring a large plunge, the water here tumbles clumsily over vibrant, mossy rocks and logs before draining into the aptly named Clearwater River.
I have always loved this waterfall for its special character but found it challenging to capture the true essence of Clearwater in a frame. If you have been to Ramona Falls or Proxy Falls, two of the more famous Oregon waterfalls, it may remind you of a smaller version of those.
DETOUR OPTION: Crater Lake National Park (North Entrance)
If you have the time, you should definitely add a detour to Crater Lake National Park to your itinerary! Not only do I consider it one of the best places to visit in Oregon, but it even made it to our list of Dream Destinations!
After leaving Whitehorse Falls, you will begin leaving Douglas county and entering Jackson county. After 17 miles, you will come to a junction (just past Diamond Lake) as you journey south. We will be taking Hwy 230 to Medford/Ashland/Central Point.
However, if you are traveling in the summer months, you MIGHT also have the option of staying on Hwy 138 instead and entering Crater Lake National Park via the North Entrance.
BE WARNED: the North Entrance IS ONLY OPEN IN THE SUMMER MONTHS! The earliest it will open is late May, but each year is different. As an example, this year (2021) the North Entrance was closed to visitors until May 28th. However, in 2019 and 2020 it didn’t open until mid-June.
You can still visit Crater Lake via the South Entrance which is open year-round. Read below to see how that fits into our itinerary.
8. National Creek Falls
(from Clearwater Falls)
Drive Time: 50 minutes
Distance: 33 miles
Hike to National Creek Falls: 1.4-mile roundtrip
Be warned that the drive to National Creek Falls requires a bit of a detour down a forest service road, but we were able to visit in a camper van even in the winter using Forest Road NF-6530.
While this waterfall hits all the bullet points of a great photo opportunity on paper, I have always struggled to capture it in a way that translates to a photograph.
The light is often extremely harsh here, and fallen trees can cause large obstructions. This seems to be more prevalent in the winter months.
Still, National Creek Falls is on your natural driving route anyway and absolutely worth a stop. If youβre navigating without GPS, youβll need to keep your eyes on your odometer from the time you leave Clearwater Falls as there is very little signage along the way.
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BONUS STOP: Rogue River Gorge & Beckie’s Diner
You will arrive at the Rogue River Gorge at the junction of Hwy 230 and Hwy 62, where you will have the option to detour to Crater Lake National Park or continue south toward Medford/Ashland. At this detour is a small town called Union Creek; home to Beckieβs Diner. This will be your only hot food option throughout the entire loop, but is best known for their world-famous pies! Find out the seasonal specialty and grab a slice, even if youβre not hungry. Beckieβs is a prime example of vintage American diners and a quintessential part of the regional experience!
Also in Union Creek is the Rogue River Gorge. While this is not the most photogenic stop along the drive, it is worth a peek if you have the time.
DETOUR OPTION: Crater Lake National Park (South Entrance)
(from Union Creek)
Drive Time: 41 minutes (1 hour, 22 minutes roundtrip detour)
Distance: 33 miles (66-mile roundtrip detour)
Hike to Crater Lake: None
I know it’s not a waterfall, but no Southern Oregon itinerary would be complete without including the most breathtaking individual sight in the entire state and one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon!
Crater Lake National Park is the deepest lake in the country, 7th deepest in the world, but most important, it is absolutely stunning!
You may have noticed that I included the detour times and distances as “roundtrip” above. This is because you will have to backtrack to Union Creek to visit via the South Entrance, which is the only entrance open most of the year.
While there is the Crater Lake Lodge offering high-end accommodation, you will not be allowed to camp anywhere within the park itself. There are, however, a few campgrounds at the bottom of the mountain outside of the park itself.
You will want to account for the detour time and inability to sleep here when planning your itinerary, but I think it is absolutely worth the effort.
As much as I would love to tell you all about how beautiful this park is, I think the pictures say more than I ever could. If you are into astrophotography (aka night photography), this is one of the premier destinations in Oregon to photograph the stars!
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9. Pearsony Falls
(from Union Creek)
Drive Time: 17 minutes
Distance: 12 miles
Hike to Pearsony Falls: 0.2 miles roundtrip
Finding Pearsony Falls can be tricky as it is not sign-posted, but it is basically in the town of Prospect. Pearsony Falls is perhaps the most photogenic of the waterfalls near Medford, though it is quite small.
Just as you exit the tiny town, you will see an unsigned dirt parking lot on your left (or on your right just before you enter town if traveling North). It is basically across from the βgas stationβ there, adjacent to Gun Club Roadβ¦ no joke, thatβs the name of the road.
From the parking lot, it is barely a walk to the small but picturesque Pearsony Falls. You wonβt find this one in many of the guide books or top waterfall lists, but it is absolutely one of my favorites to photograph; especially in autumn!
Youβll encounter mossy, deciduous scenery with beautiful cascading water and a fairytale-like setting. In the fall, the golden-yellow leaves add a nice pop of color to compliment the greens.
10. Mill Creek Falls/Barr Creek Falls
(from Pearsony Falls)
Drive Time: 1 minute
Distance: 0.7 miles
Hike to Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint: 0.5-mile roundtrip
We finish our road trip itinerary just as we began; with a 2-for-1 waterfall special! Donβt get too excited though, as the short hike to the viewpoints for Mill Creek and Barr Creek Falls still places you a substantial distance from the actual waterfalls.
The two falls are visible from two separate viewing areas on the trail one after the other. From the viewpoint, you are still very far away which makes it challenging to capture the detail without a massive zoom lens. It is possible to hike to Mill Creek Falls, but the hiking trail is not established.
Mill Creek Falls will be the first you discover and is the smaller of the two at 173ft tall. However, your view will be mostly obstructed by trees.
Barr Creek Falls comes next, which is much taller at 242ft tall and is also more visible. Barr Creek Falls is the tallest of the waterfalls near Medford.
There is access to the bottom of the falls via an unmarked and very steep trail. This trail presents some dangers, especially when wet and for people with any mobility issues.
One final note, you may notice Avenue of the Boulders written on the wooden map in the waterfall parking lot. Just a minute up the road is a bridge that overlooks “Avenue”, as well as the impressive Rogue Valley. It is worth a quick stop!
Other waterfalls in Southern Oregon
Before getting into the waterfall drive itinerary, I must point out that there are more waterfalls in Oregon than in any other state. In fact, it would take you weeks to visit all the falls in Douglas County alone!
While I absolutely encourage you to visit them if you have no time constraints and good weather, they have not been included in this itinerary for a few reasons.
Some require substantial detours from our route or have frequent accessibility issues, and some just require longer hikes than I felt most people would be interested in.
However, below is a list of all of the waterfalls near Roseburg and Glide that I am aware of to help you decide if you would like to include any of them on your holiday.
- Susan Creek Falls
- Little Falls
- Steamboat Falls
- Jack Falls
- Fall Creek Falls Waterfalls
- Grotto Falls
- Emile Falls
- Shadow Falls
- Warmspring Falls
- Lemolo Falls
- Deer Lick Falls
- Lemolo Falls
- Duwee Falls
- Ruth Falls
- Rough Rider Falls
- Vidae Falls
- Stuart Falls
Southern Oregon Waterfalls Road Trip
The following itinerary for visiting all of the best waterfalls in Southern Oregon was constructed in the context of one-way travel north or south.
In other words, we expect many of you are planning a road trip that goes through Southern Oregon but then continues onward. Depending on your direction of travel, your journey will either begin by exiting the I-5 freeway at Medford or Roseburg.
If you are just looking to do this as a day trip from somewhere local, it can easily be done as a loop.
Use the maps below for a visual guide to the route we will be taking.
π Driving route to the falls
The maps below show 14 easily accessible waterfalls in Southern Oregon that connect via a driving route between Roseburg and Medford.
Both of these cities are largely populated and will have everything you may need to pick up before beginning your adventure into the wilderness! If you are planning on staying at one, Medford has the most options for accommodation and things to do nearby.
As most travelers will be coming from the North, the waterfall itinerary below will start at Roseburg and end in Medford/Ashland (North to South). Of course, if you are coming from Medford, simply reverse the order (driving South to North).
The map ABOVE shows the route you will drive if only traveling one way as part of a bigger road trip.
If you are a local or want to continue your road trip via the Oregon coast instead, the map BELOW shows you how to visit all the waterfalls as a loop that ends wherever you began! Essentially, you will return to the starting point via I5, regardless of where you begin.
NOTE: YOU WILL NOT HAVE MOBILE SERVICE DURING MOST OF THIS DRIVE. Make sure you’ve downloaded offline maps if you are worried about getting lost (unlikely), and check road conditions/weather forecasts if you are planning winter travel.
On that topic, this self-drive route is not advisable in the winter following heavy snowfall. Driving can be dangerous, and nearly all of the smaller roads to the waterfalls will be inaccessible as the plows clear the major highways and in doing so, completely block the roads to the falls.
π Freedom camping in Southern Oregon
While the itinerary provided here can be driven in a single day, you will not be able to visit every waterfall on the route in that time. Assuming your time in Southern Oregon is part of a larger road trip, I would recommend allowing at least 2 days for this itinerary.
In addition, anyone interested in photography will definitely want to add another day to visit Crater Lake National Park (more about Crater Lake at the end of this guide). It is one of my favorite Southern Oregon photography locations!
Whether you are pitching a tent or sleeping in a camper van, it is worth knowing that in the United States, freedom camping, also known as dispersed camping, is legal on all National Forest land unless noted otherwise. The general rule is to camp 100-200 feet away from any road, trail, or water source. It is not, however, allowed at National Parks (ie Crater Lake).
As for bathroom facilities, there will be toilets available in most of the waterfall parking lots.
If you plan on staying overnight as recommended, make sure you have brought sufficient food! Your only option once you have entered the Umpqua National Forest will be Beckieβs Diner in Union Creek. Your best bet is to load up in Medford or Roseburg, depending on your direction of travel.
π Equipment for Waterfall Photography
Disclosure: At no cost to you, we receive a small amount for any purchases made using the links below.
While it is possible to capture long exposure photographs of waterfalls on your iPhone using the Live Mode option, for the best possible photos you may want to consider a few key pieces of photography gear:
- Camera: I use the Sony a7riii and have been in love with it ever since the first photo I took with it. However, for beginners you may wish to consider an entry level DSLR. This will allow you to start getting to grips with manual settings and decide whether photography is something you enjoy enough to invest in.
- Lens: The lens I use most frequently is the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS as the zoom lens allows for the most diversity. I also often use the Laowa 15mm F2 for shots that require a wider angle.
- Tripod: A tripod is essential if you want to create a long exposure waterfall image. When traveling, I use the Manfrotto Be Free as it’s lightweight and easy to carry on longer hikes. For times when I require something more stable, I use the Artcise Carbon Fiber Tripod.
- Filters: A Circular Polarizing (CPL) filter (CPL) or Neutral Density (ND) filter are very useful for allowing slower shutter speeds and for cutting glare on the water. The best CPL and ND filters I have found are the Quartzline from Polar Pro.
π More Oregon & Regional Guides
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below π
If you are planning an extended visit to the Pacific Northwest or crossing the border to Northern California, you may find some of the following guides useful:
Oregon Guides
- The Best Things to Do in Oregon: Nature, Arts, Events, & More
- 25 Best Things to do in Southern Oregon
- Top 25 Best State Parks in Oregon
- The Most Magical Waterfalls in Oregon
- The Official 7 Wonders of Oregon Ultimate Guide
- Southern Oregon Photography Locations
- Southern Oregon Coast Guide
- Top 15 Places to Visit in Oregon
- Top 10 Places to Visit on the Oregon Coast
- Silver Falls State Park & Trail of Ten Falls Complete Guide
- The Complete Thor’s Well Guide
- The Complete Painted Hills of Oregon Guide
Northern California Guides
- The Ultimate NorCal Road Trip Itinerary Guide
- What to see in Shasta-Trinity National Forest
- Complete Guide to Burney Falls in NorCal
- The Ultimate Yosemite Day Trip
- Yosemite Itineraries: How to Spend 1-3 Days in Yosemite NP
- Yosemite Photography Guide
- Yosemite Sunrise Guide
- The Ultimate Guide to Yosemite Firefall
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π€ Final thoughts on Waterfalls in Southern Oregon
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below π
As you may have realized by now, there are many beautiful waterfalls in Southern Oregon. I hope you have found this guide useful and enjoy some of the spectacular nature Oregon has to offer.
If you notice anything that requires updating or think we’ve missed something then let us know! We always love hearing from you – leave us a comment below.
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Such a great guide and stunning photos. I love waterfalls too. I have only had two days in Oregon on a business trip and desperately want to get back to the US to hike the amazing trails around Oregon with my hubby. Thanks so much for this guide.
Thank you so much Lisa! I hope you make it back to Oregon soon π
So gorgeous! I love southern Oregon, this is a great guide!
Thank you! Me too, it’s such a beautiful place.
Ever since a friend gave me a picture book of Oregon 5-10 years ago I’ve been dying to visit — but I’ve never gotten so far as planning an itinerary. This is a major help! Many Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that you’ve found this guide useful Jim. I’d love to know what you think of the area when you go π
I’m heading out there at the end of this week, and your post is unbelievably helpful. Thank you for that.
And if you are willing to share any other recommendations and maybe the sea cave, it would be greatly appreciated. π
Thanks,
Amanda
Hi Amanda!! I am so glad you found this useful and hope you have an amazing trip!
We dont broadcast the sea cave publicly but I will email you more info π
Hello! I am curious if you might give me a little information on where the photo above, of the wagon, barn and grain house was taken in Jacksonville. Is this something you could give me a little more information on please? Thank you!
Hi Richard! I just replied to your email in detail but the short answer is “Hanley Farm” – a historic farm with some public access. A quick Google Search should answer any specific Qs π
Hi my husband and I are planning a trip in September and canβt wait! We are going to stay in Medford and do the map you provided, but Iβm curious how many days you recommend to get the most enjoyment. Also Iβm curious about the cave and any other special places. Thank you for the information!
Hi Mercadi! The number of days depends on preferred pace, but I think an overnight trip would be sufficient to see MOST of them. To see ALL of them OR to include Crater Lake, you will need to spend two nights on the road to do everything on the map most likely. It may be doable in less, but you will be moving very fast!