Along an unassuming highway extending east from the lumber town of Roseburg is an oasis of outdoor adventure, glorious hiking opportunities, and yes…waterfalls galore. It is one of the best southern Oregon road trips you can take and has the highest concentration of pacific northwest waterfalls along one road.
This is the ancient Umpqua Forest. Not far northwest of Crater Lake, Highway 138 (also known as the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway) makes gentle twists and turns through the old-growth like a languorous guide taking her visitors on a magical journey.
The Most Scenic Road Trip
The epic road trip takes 2-3 days to fully explore, but you can do it in a day if you choose to stop at just 2-3 waterfalls. You can start either from the west side in Roseburg, or east if you’re coming from the Crater Lake area.
I am going to be listing the waterfalls starting from Roseburg. As you head east on Highway 138, if you’ve forgotten snacks or a picnic lunch, you can load up on food in the tiny town of Glide at the only gas station in town.
Here in Glide, the North Umpqua River and Little River collide in a fury of white water – one of the few places in the world where two rivers meet head on! From here, the byway parallels the North Umpqua River. White water rafting and kayaking are popular sports along the river, as well as fly-fishing.
North Umpqua Trail
This is a 79-mile trail that follows the North Umpqua River from Swiftwater Park, where it meets up with the Pacific Crest Trail. With twelve trailheads, there are plenty of opportunities to enter the trail, with a variety of experiences for different ability levels. Old-growth Douglas Fir, Mountain Hemlock, and many other indigenous species of trees make their home here. Much of this hiker-only trail (not open to horses) is best experienced for short segments at a time.
The North Umpqua River is a popular spot for fishing large summer-run steelhead, and many fly-fishing enthusiasts can be found along its banks. Between May and October, migrating salmon and steelhead can be seen jumping at Deadline Falls.
See the Oregon Waterfalls map below.
Susan Falls
As you approach Susan Falls from the highway a little past milepost 28, there is a great picnic area and a trail along the river if you pull off on the right side of the road, and signs will guide you to parking. But the falls are actually on the left side of the road, with its own little parking space. It’s easy to miss, as there are no signs for Susan Falls from the highway, just signs for Susan Creek. Once you park, it is a nice easy ¾ mile hike to Susan Falls. There is one picnic table right next to the falls, so bring snacks!
The trails will also take you to the Susan Creek mounds, where young Native American boys approaching manhood would fast and build stone piles, then spend the night in search of visions from guardian spirits. Once you pass the falls to the mounds, the trail gets more difficult.
Fall Creek Falls
A bit past milepost 32, park on the left side of the highway for Fall Creek. It is a tiered-type waterfall that flows over a 35-foot drop, then a 50-foot drop to a pool below. The trail here is a bit more challenging, leading you through a bedrock crevice of basalt and lush vegetation.
Steamboat Falls
This one is not quite as spectacular, but very pretty nonetheless. This waterway is an important steelhead-spawning tributary and is a 25-foot block-type fall, and steelhead can be seen jumping to the top of the fall during the late Spring through early fall months.
When you reach milepost 38.8, turn onto Steamboat Road 38, and go another 5.3 miles until you reach Road 3810. Turn right, then go another ½ mile until you see signs for Steamboat Fall campground. From here, it is an easy hike to this waterfall.
Toketee Falls
The Toketee Falls is double-tiered and drops a dramatic 120 feet through pristine rows of columnar basalt into a gorgeous blue basin. Park at milepost 59, then turn north on Forest Road 34 and follow the signs for parking. While the hike to the falls is less than a half-mile, it is somewhat challenging, with a rocky trail and over 200 steps to the viewing platform.
These falls were formed over 30,000 years ago when a series of fluid lava flows, originating from Mt. Bailey, funneled down the North Umpqua River Canyon. After slowly cooling, the lava contracted into slender prism-shaped columns. The river carved a notch through these columns, first at 40 feet and then 80 feet into a roomy plunge pool.
Watson Falls
At 293 feet, Watson Falls is the highest waterfall in Oregon’s southwest region. Visit the picnic area for interpretive exhibits and a partial view of Watson Falls, right from the parking area off of milepost 61.3 (turn south to Forest Road 37 from Highway 138.)
It’s quite something to hear the hollow thump of the old-growth forest floor beneath your feet. This trail can be easy or difficult, depending on how far you want to go. You can still view the falls from down below while resting on a park bench. But if you want to go full throttle, take the sharp ascent up through a couple of switchbacks to get a close-up view of the falls, and feel the slight spray of water on your face. Refreshing!
Whitehorse Falls
This short-ish waterfall tumbles 15 feet into a punchbowl and provides a relaxing setting for a picnic. Convenient to the parking area just off of milepost 66, there is also an accessible viewing platform. While this waterfall is not as spectacular as the others, it offers a relaxing respite from all of your hiking thus far.
Clearwater Falls
At milepost 69, it is a short walk to enjoy another relaxing waterfall, with crystal clear, cold waters cascading over the green rocks. There is also a day-use area here, with an accessible trail, viewing platform, and picnic area.
Warm Springs
For this one, you get to do an easy hike that leads to the top of the fall, with a drop of more than 70 feet. There is no access to the bottom of the falls. Find it by turning off Highway 138 at milepost 72.8 to Road 2610, then go about six miles, and turn left on Road 600. Then go about 3 miles to Road 680. Turn left and drive another 1.7 miles to the trailhead #1499.
Lemolo Falls
Lemolo in the ancient Chinook language means “wild” or “untamed” and when you first lay eyes on these falls, you will see why. It’s a gorgeous Horsetail falling dramatically off a stony cliff. But (isn’t there always a ‘but’?) the 1.7-mile trail to get here is not of the easy variety. Still, if you are reasonably healthy, you’ll make it.
You can find Lemolo Falls by turning onto Road 2610 from milepost 72.8, then it’s a little over five miles to Lemolo Lodge. Cross over a dam, then bear left at the fork in the road. In another half mile, turn left across the wooden bridge and you will find parking at the trailhead.
Diamond Lake
This is the last stop on our journey before the road heads south toward Crater Lake. Diamond Lake is a stunning alpine lake and a resort unto itself, with amazing views of Mt. Theilson and Mt. Bailey. There is camping, trail hiking, and a great view of Clearwater Falls. Its cold, clear waters cascade down over moss-covered rocks.
You can’t get more Oregon than that.
Where to Stay
Idleyld Lodge. With escape rooms and murder mystery dinners, this is a great place to rest after a long day of exploring, while still being entertained. The accommodation is a B&B, serving scrumptious breakfast, and basic but roomy rooms.
Susan Creek Campground This is one of the best campgrounds in the area, located just a few miles east of Roseburg.
Steamboat Inn This is a great resort in the forest with modern cabins, suites, and cottages. There is also a great restaurant on site. Great for groups to share accommodations, and perfect for adventurous and romantic couples.
Lemolo Lake Resort A wonderful lodge to stay at if you will also be visiting Crater Lake. There are RV sites, tents sites, and cabins available.
Diamond Lake Resort Fishing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding…you can find it all here. The resort offers cabins, motel-like rooms, and even one lonely jacuzzi suite! Better book that one early!
Also, if you are staying in Eugene, this road trip makes for a good day trip of waterfall hikes near Eugene, Oregon. So, if you find yourself in southern Oregon for any reason, do make it a point to drive this historic and very scenic highway!
