Walk through an enchanting forest with vibrant blue waters flowing through. Sahalie and Koosah Falls is a stunning trail that you don’t want to miss when you visit central Oregon. At just an hour from Bend, it’s the perfect hike to add on any trip.
I had heard of this trail for a long time and was finally able to tackle it after spending a month in Oregon! It was really incredible to see these two roaring waterfalls. It was one of those trails that I could see myself doing many times in different seasons to see how things change.
Get my comprehensive trail guide for Sahalie and Koosah Falls! This guide includes a detailed trail description, a complete packing list, and things to know before you venture out. Prepare yourself for one of the best waterfall hikes in Central Oregon!
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Table of Contents
Hiking Sahalie and Koosah Falls Details
Quick Hike Info
Distance: .9-2.4 miles
Elevation: 145-365 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back or Loop
Length: 30 mins to 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Sahalie and Koosah Falls Location
Sahalie and Koosah Falls is in the Mckenzie River area in Central Oregon. It’s located in the Willamette National Forest, which is about an hour from Bend and 40 minutes from Sisters, Oregon.
The McKenzie River is a gorgeous shade of blue 💙 and runs throughout the forest. These two waterfalls are just half a mile from each other and roar into the river. If you want to explore further, consider adding Tamolitch Blue Pool to your itinerary as well!
How to Get There
The easiest way to get to Tamolitch Falls Blue Pools is to drive. 🚗 The drive is just an hour from Bend and 2.5 hours from Portland, Oregon. Take highway 20 from either direction until you get to the junction for Highway 126.
From there, you’ll take McKenzie Highway 126 about 5 miles south. Turn, right at the into the Sahalie Falls viewpoint parking area. This falls is just a few hundred feet into the trail and then can continue on the path to reach Koosah Falls.
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 There is no fee to hike the Sahalie and Koosah Falls trail! So, it’s a great trail to add to any trip.
☀️ Rain is common in Oregon and this forest is no exception. Expect there to be some wet conditions on the trails and pack waterproof gear for your hike!
⛺️ There is no camping at the Blue Pool, but you can find campsites nearby in the National Forest. If you are interested in camping, look at the Ice Cap Campground, Paradise Campground, and Trail Bridge. You can make reservations here.
🦮 Pets are allowed in the Willamette National Forest, but they must stay on a leash.
🅿️ There are a couple of small parking areas for the trail. During peak season, you may also have to park along the road or get there early to snag a spot!
⚠️ These roads have seasonal closures and are often closed when there is snowfall. You can check the trail status here.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Best Time to Visit Sahalie and Koosah Falls
These falls are truly stunning destinations to visit year round, but they will have very different scenery depending on the time of year.
Visit Sahalie and Koosah Falls in the autumn to see them surrounded by gorgeous reds and oranges in the forest. 🍁 While in the spring, you’ll walk deep into a lush green forest with the blue river contrasting the deep green.
Winter feels like you’ve entered a winter wonderland with snow along the trail and covering the trees. However, it can be really slippery and close at times. Check the trail status and pack snoeshoes or microspikes for your journey! ❄️
What to Pack
Oregon is known for being a very wet state, however Bend is a little less rainy than other areas. 🌧 Despite that, you will want to pack waterproof clothing and shoes with good traction.
Even though this is a popular trail, I recommend having a satellite phone on every hike! 📳
When we went on the trail, I noticed that it got very muddy and slippery at points. So, you will want shoes that can stand up to that and keep you comfortable as you walk. Please stay on the designated trail! ⚠️
Packing Guide
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles
- Water Reservoir
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Shelter
- Rain jacket
- Base Layer
- Good Hiking Pants/Bottoms
- Satellite phone
- Downloaded AllTrails Map
You can read more about my day hike gear here.
Sahalie and Koosah Falls Trails Details
Sahalie Falls Viewpoint
If you park at the Sahalie Falls Viewpoint area, then you’ll only need to walk a few hundred feet to get to the viewing platform!
Make sure to stay on the platform, because the area below it can be very slippery and dangerous. When we were there someone had fallen after trying to get close and they had to get a helicopter in! 🚁
If you do the entire trail loop, you’ll have a chance to view these falls from further away. But if you don’t want to do the full loop, you can just hike over the bridge and see the cascading falls from a different angle!
Koosah Falls
Follow the gorgeous McKenzie River and walk down to Koosah Falls. As you walk, you’ll see the vibrant blue water gushing through the forest and you’ll feel as if you’ve entered a fairytale.
After about a half mile walk, the falls will come into view on your right. However, if you want the best view of them, then I recommend continuing down the trail until you get a direct view. Although you’ll have to come back up, it’s definitely worth it!
From there, you’ll get a magnificent photo 📸 of the stunning Koosah Falls.
Through the Forest
Now, you can either choose to turn around and go back up to the trailhead or make a loop in the forest. We did the loop and although we enjoyed it, I don’t think its necessary worth it unless you want a longer hike.
You’ll have to walk out to the road, over the bridge, make a loop and re-enter the trail on the other side of the river.
From there, you’ll walk through the forest with the river on your right side and occasional views of the falls. The best viewpoint is the one of Sahalie Falls, but be careful because it can be very slippery! From there, continue until you get to the bridge back to Sahalie Falls.
Final Tips for Hiking the Sahalie and Koosah Falls Trail
I hope you enjoy the incredible Sahalie and Koosah Falls trail! This is a must visit hike when you’re in Central Oregon. Just remember to follow the signs and stay on the trail, so that you don’t get hurt. As long as you do that, you’ll have a great time!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this trail guide!
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