: Bob Wick/ BLM

6 Must-See Waterfalls Along the Rogue and Umpqua Rivers

Feel the cool mists of some of the state’s finest waterfall hikes in Southern Oregon.
October 21, 2016 (Updated September 5, 2023)

One of the joys of Southern Oregon is the seemingly unending lush, shady forests and clean, tumbling water. While I was writing my guidebook about waterfall hikes in Oregon, I canvassed the state a few times and found much to love along the Rogue and Umpqua rivers. With hikes filled with cascades and fewer hikers to encounter on the trails, I found it was tough to beat the chain of waterfalls east of Roseburg along these two rivers. Here are some of my favorites.

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A tall waterfall against a mossy cliff.
About 30 miles east of Roseburg, hiking the 1.8 miles out-and-back to Fall Creek Falls is like a journey through time. (Courtesy of iStock)

Cascades Among Cliffs and Swimming Holes on the North Umpqua

For waterfall hunters, a pilgrimage to the cascade-rich North Umpqua River area is an absolute must. You’ll still see the scars of wildfires in this region, as it was heavily impacted by the Archie Creek Fire in 2020. As you walk through the waterfall trails — many of which have now reopened and are healing from the event — take in the natural cycle and beauty of the regrowth.

1. Driving on Highway 138, you’ll find Susan Creek Falls about 28 miles east of Roseburg. The 1.6-mile out-and-back trail is perfect for families and hikers looking for a gently sloped mixed-media path. The picnic-ready area around the falls also has spots to stop for a quick swim. Ascending along the creek, the trail reaches a junction just before the punchbowl-style falls (which are often defined by the inviting pool at the bottom). The day-use site also invites those of all mobilities to enjoy the flat, gravel Emerald Trail along the Umpqua’s forested riverbank.

2. Head 4 miles east and you’ll find Fall Creek Falls. During the 1.8-mile round-trip trek, hikers can expect to take in some remarkable volcanic geology and incredible scenery in addition to a four-tiered, 120-foot waterfall. The hike begins by angling through a narrow but navigable bedrock crevice. Continuing on, hikers will pass by stacks of columnar basalt. Occasionally these massive, honeycomb-shaped pillars jut out in all directions like strewn piles of twigs. Additionally, the path parallels the creek through narrow gorges and alongside broad, cedar-lined beaches before arriving at the falls.

3. Continue for 29 more miles along the highway to arrive at Watson Falls. At a neck-craning 293 feet, Watson is the tallest waterfall in Southwest Oregon and is billed as the third tallest in the state. The quick 1-mile loop hike that visits the falls presents visitors with a pleasant view early on. A side trail farther up the path gives visitors the option to climb to a much more intimate and memorable view of Watson’s waters careening over the sheer cliffs of a basalt amphitheater.

A waterfall between a small canyon.
The Rogue River makes several twists and turns through a 10-foot-wide slot canyon to reach the Rogue River Gorge Falls. (Courtesy of USFS)

Tall Falls, Giant Boulders and Natural Bridges on the Upper Rogue

Born from a spring near Crater Lake, the Rogue River is as wild as its name would imply, especially near the area of its origins, where creeks plunge from great heights to meet it, and the river itself plays hide and seek with the earth’s surface. This wild and scenic section of the Upper Rogue takes you back in time as you see the impact of geological shifts and uprisings.

4. Just 11.5 miles north of the town of Prospect, Rogue River Gorge Falls is a 30-foot cascade viewable from the Rogue Gorge trail. The impact is much larger than the diminutive stature of the falls or gorge might suggest. Here, the river twists, turns and roils before forcing its way through a 10-foot-wide slot canyon just below the falls. The walk along the gorge may only be a few hundred feet, but almost every step provides a new vista or point of view. 

5. Just down the road along the Crater Lake Highway, the Natural Bridge Campground and day-use area is home to a longer leg stretch. During the course of the 1.4-mile loop, hikers will walk through massive stands of old-growth forest, cross over the Rogue on a pair of footbridges and watch an unusual vanishing act. At the Natural Bridge area, you’ll see a lava tube that swallows a good portion of the river before spitting it back out a couple hundred feet away. Interpretive signs detail the formation of both the region and the river.

6. Less than a mile south of the town of Prospect, you’ll find the trailhead to Mill Creek and Barr Creek falls. At 175 and 240 feet, respectively, the two tall, tumbling cascades are accessed within the same 1.6-mile hike. A spur trail along the route delivers hikers to a canyon view of a set of giant boulders called the Avenue of Giants. Another path descends down to the Rogue itself. A handful of spur trails lead to cross-canyon views of the massive Mill Creek Falls, and a short distance downriver, hikers will find numerous viewpoints of the multitiered Barr Creek Falls.

Waterfalls on a mossy cliff running through large boulders to a stream.
Watson Falls gushes through old-growth trees and giant moss-covered boulders for a picture-perfect shot. (Courtesy of iStock)

If You Go:

Download trail brochures from the Bureau of Land Management’s Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway site. They include detailed guides to each section of the route, including the waterfalls along the way. Check each site you’d like to visit beforehand for dog-leash laws and best practices for parking. Don’t forget to bring along the Ten Essentials and Leave No Trace.

About The
Author

Adam Sawyer
Adam Sawyer is an outdoor and travel writer, photographer, published author, guide, and public speaker based in the Northwest. He is the author of numerous guidebooks, including Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon, Urban Hikes Oregon, and 25 Hikes on Oregon’s Tillamook Coast. His weekly Substack newsletter, Collecting Sunsets, covers a broad set of topics including grief, addiction and recovery, travel, and the healing powers of nature.

Trip Ideas

Ask Oregon

What is the best time of year to visit the Rogue-Umpqua Byway to see the waterfalls?

Greetings from Southern Oregon, The most commonly recommended time to travel the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway is June through October, mainly to ensure clear roads, fair weather and more daylight hours. Volumes of water running in the falls largely depend on wintertime precipitation. We’re off to a good start for this year, considering the flood warnings…

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