See these spectacular cascades on easy hikes both within and outside the National Park.
Crater Lake isn’t the only spectacular water feature in Southern Oregon. The mountains and valleys of the entire volcanic region are dotted with waterfalls that provide a rushing, watery exclamation point to many hikes. Springtime is best to catch high-volume falls bursting with fresh snowmelt, but you’ll enjoy them all year round — expect cooling mists on hot summer days and vibrant views amidst fall foliage.
Take a Waterfall Detour on the Way to Crater Lake
With easy access from Medford and Grants Pass on Highway 62, Oregon’s only national park is a bucket-list trip for many travelers. On the route, you’ll find small towns like Prospect that are great places to stretch your legs. Find gently sloping dirt trails near the town, right off the freeway, to take in views of the towering Mill Creek Falls (170 feet) and Barr Creek Falls (240 feet). Cliffs by the trail overlooking the falls are quite impressive, but exercise caution as there are no guard rails in this natural setting. After the falls, stroll down to the Avenue of the Boulders beside the river for a dip and pose for photos amidst the massive rocks.
Also on Highway 62, the Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint is a convenient paved and wheelchair-accessible roadside trail. While not technically a waterfall, the river blasts through a 20-foot cut with firehose intensity, making this a dramatic spot that you can still view safely.
Drive highway 138 east of Roseburg toward Crater Lake, and you can access one of Oregon’s most dramatic waterfall settings. Hike just a half-mile from a trailhead off a side road from the highway to reach a stunning viewpoint overlooking Toketee Falls. The falls drop about 90 feet in two sections amidst a primeval setting of towering basalt columns framing a shaded pool surrounded by moss and ferns.
Walk along mossy trails to the bottom and midpoint of Watson Falls, the tallest waterfall in the region, which has been measured at distances from 272 to 293 feet. Trails from Highway 138 north of Crater Lake reach the falls in just under a half-mile.
Marvel at Waterfalls Inside the National Park
Crater Lake National Park has many dramatic water features beyond its eponymous lake. Take the opportunity to hike to multiple waterfalls in the park this summer. Note that Crater Lake’s North Entrance Road and Rim Road, which encircles the lake, close in winter and typically don’t open until mid- to late June or July. Check the latest park conditions in advance of visiting.
Conveniently located on the East Rim Drive, Plaikni Falls Trail is about a 2-mile round-trip walk on a gently sloping path. The falls are only about 20 feet tall, but its setting amidst lush scenery makes the walk worthwhile.
You don’t even need to leave your car to see the 100-foot-tall Vidae Falls, but it’s worth hopping out to take a closer look. See the falls cascade over multiple bluffs overlooking the East Rim Drive, about 2 miles from the park headquarters.
Crater Lake Park’s Duwee Falls are a little more difficult to spot, but intrepid hikers on the Godfrey Trail can glimpse the 100-foot-tall plunge falls from viewpoints. The Rim Drive also provides distant views at turnout points, but bring your binoculars.
Tips for Your Trip — and Where You Can’t See Waterfalls
When you plan your trip, be aware that even though it makes a great base camp, the city named Klamath Falls is the one place in the area not to go to see waterfalls, as there are none within view of the town. Historically, the Link River beside the city had some small waterfalls, but decades of damming and flood management smoothed out the river’s flow into gentle rapids. It’s still worth a walk along the easy Link River Nature Trail direct from the city for a peek at the river.
Staying at the rustic cabins at the Lake of the Woods property (off of Highway 140, between Crater Lake and Klamath Falls) on the forested lake shores harkens back to the old days of outdoor travel. The Running Y Resort, also near Klamath Falls, provides an upscale, full-service vacation option with golf course, pool, arcade and spa on the grounds. The Bar Run Golf and RV Resort in Roseburg is a good spot for road-trippers, with RV hookups as well as cottages. It even has its own water feature, a pool connected to a lazy river complete with a mini waterfall, that’s open May through September.
For dining try Girasol Family Mexican Restaurant in Klamath Falls for authentic Mexican food in a festive setting. Hearty burgers in a rustic mountain setting is the call at the Prospect Cafe and Trophy Room closer to Crater Lake. The roadside Ponderosa Public House, north of Crater Lake, fuels you up for hikes with full breakfasts, takeout sandwiches, and après dining and drinks.
Top photo of Watson Falls by Weekend Sherpa
