An enchanting paradise awaits as waterfalls gush over moss covered rocks deep in the forest. The Umpqua waterfalls are some of the best ones in the state of Oregon, which is known for its falls! So, you don’t want to miss it!
Often called the “Highway of Waterfalls” the Rogue-Scenic Byway cuts through Umpqua National Forest, with a ton of waterfalls to stop at along the way. This 167 mile long road seems to have a waterfall every few miles to see! 🤩 It’s an incredible way to spend a day or a weekend.
I’ve been to this beautiful area of twice and both times I was astounded by the beauty of these cascades. The first time I went, I didn’t even know this area really existed unti l got there. But, I won’t let you make the same mistake.
Planning a trip to see all of the waterfalls can be very overwhelming. So I’ve detailed everything you need to know including which waterfalls you must visit on your trip! Below you’ll find a great map of the falls 🗺 and details about when to visit and where to stay. I hope you enjoy!
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Guide to Visiting the Umpqua Waterfalls
Where is the Highway of Waterfalls?
Umpqua National Forest is in central Oregon just two hours from Bend, two hours from Eugene, and right outside of Crater Lake National Park. This forest encompasses 980,000 acres of land, with tons to explore. The Rogue-Umpqua scenic byway or the “Highway of Waterfalls” cuts through this exquisite forest with a ton of falls to explore.
This 167 mile highway extends from Roseburg, Oregon and ends in Medford, Oregon. It’s a fantastic destination for an Oregon road trip or a summer camping trip! ⛺️ Just make sure to plan things in advance, because there isn’t a lot of service within the forest.
How to Get to Umpqua National Forest
The Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway is fairly easy to get to as long as you have a car. If you decide to fly in, then you will want to rent a car to easily drive down this road. There is no good public transportation around here and it will give you flexibility to visit the various falls.
Portland is 4 hours from Umpqua National Forest. 🚘
For visitors that are flying in, you can either fly into the Redmond or Eugene airports. ✈️ They are both about 1.5-2 hours away from Umpqua. Or, if you want you can fly into Portland and add it as a stop on a longer road trip.
Where to Stay
Umpqua National Forest is a bit secluded from other cities nearby. The closest town is Orville, which is fairly small or you can go a little further to Medford, Oregon. That being said, Crater Lake is just outside of the forest, while Bend is two hours away.
So, if you don’t mind making the drive then Bend is a fantastic place to stay. But, below are some lodging options in the area immediately surrounding the forest. If you are camping, there are a fair amount of options in Umpqua!
Best Lodging Near Umpqua National Forest:
Best Time to Visit Umpqua National Forest
If you want to visit the waterfalls in Umpqua, then the best time to visit is late May through early Fall. Otherwise, this area sees a lot of snowfall, so it can be tricky to get to the falls themselves. But, if you love snow activities there are a ton of sno-parks in the area.
Visit the Umpqua waterfalls in late spring to see them gushing from snowmelt. 💦
Umpqua National Forest is really a fabulous destination year round. So, hopefully you can get there to see the gorgeous landscapes.
The Best Umpqua Waterfalls
Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls is probably my favorite of all the Umpqua waterfalls! ⭐️ This one looks like it’s straight out a lush paradise.
This waterfall plunges off of basalt rock into a deep pool in a gorge. Lava from 750,000 years ago 🌋 created these incredible landscapes in Umpqua. When you get to this waterfall, you will be able to see evidence of its geological past.
It’s truly the most stunning waterfall in the forest and you cannot miss it. I’ve been here twice and I would go back many times!
Toketee Falls Hike Info
Distance: .8 miles
Elevation: 170 Feet
Type: Out and Back
Length: 25 minutes-1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Watson Falls
One of the waterfalls that you definitely don’t want to miss is Watson Falls! It’s the highest waterfall in this National Forest and the third highest in all of Oregon. This one plunges almost 300 feet over a cliff to the floor.
However, I don’t recommend going right when the sunlight is highest in the sky, because it will be hard to see! We got there around noon and the sun was blinding and it was incredibly hard to see the falls.
That being said, this trail was incredibly easy and it was a fantastic loop through the forest!
Watson Falls Hike Info
Distance: .8 miles
Elevation: 433 Feet
Type: Loop
Length: 25 minutes-1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Whitehorse Falls
It’s so wonderful, when you can just get out of the car and see something beautiful right away. That’s the case when you visit Whitehorse Falls. This lovely spot is right next to the parking area!
You can view the waterfall from a little boardwalk overlook or go below the boardwalk to get a little closer to the water. Plus, you can also make a reservation to camp right there at Whitehorse Falls campground!
Lemolo Falls
Lemolo Falls is the longest hike of the falls in Umpqua at a little over 3 miles long. But, the 100 foot falls at the end is worth the trek to get there!
There are actually two options to reach the falls, however the most popular one is the “old” trail. This hike walks along the river, has the best view of the falls, but there is a steep climb at the end to the top. 🥵
Or, you can choose to do the North Umpqua trail. This one leaves at the White Mule trailhead and offers a few different views of the falls, before getting to a great lookout from across the canyon!
Lemolo Falls Hike Info
Distance: 3.4 miles
Elevation: 384 Feet
Type: Out and Back
Length: 1.5-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Clearwater Falls
Another fantastic waterfall just off of the Umpqua highway is Clearwater Falls. This waterfall has a variety of cascades that stream over moss covered rocks. It looks like something out of an enchanted forest.
I especially love this waterfall on a moody day as it seems even more vibrantly green! 💚 If you really want to get another angle, you can also climb up above this waterfall, which is just a short walk.
Fall Creek Falls
This is yet another waterfall that you can get to with just a short hike. The trail is a mile total roundtrip, to a lovely cascade over a tall cliff. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to visit this one yet, but it’s a great one to see!
Slide Creek Falls
Slide Creek Falls is a slim waterfall that is just off the road. It’s a bit easy to get turned around here because it’s right outside of the Soda Springs Reservoir. This slim cascade drops 137 feet into a pool that trickles over moss covered rocks below.
If you go in the summer, it tends to be a bit drier and smaller. However, it’s worth visiting!
Susan Creek Falls
Susan Creek is one of the falls that I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting yet, but I have heard great things! This cascade drops 50 foot over a moss covered cliff and into a pool below. It’s still a fairly short trail with a great payoff.
Susan Creek Falls Hike Info
Distance: 1.4 miles
Elevation: 187 Feet
Type: Out and Back
Length: 30 minutes-1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Honorable Mention: Umpqua Hot Springs
Now, this isn’t a waterfall, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Umpqua Hot Springs. This is one of the most popular hot springs ♨️ in Oregon and for good reason. These hot springs sit on the edge of a cliff side in the forest.
You have to do a bit of a steep .5 mile hike to get there, but then once you do you can relax in the steamy water. There are a few different pools at varying temperatures.
Final Thoughts on Visiting the Umpqua Waterfalls
Don’t miss the “Highway of Waterfalls” on your next trip to Oregon! This is seriously one of the most incredible destinations with tons of cascades to explore. Just remember to plan ahead of time and know which ones you want to fit into your schedule. There are just so many Umpqua waterfalls to see. I hope you have a fantastic trip to this area.
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments!
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