Sahalie and Koosah Falls: trail and access
Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls are two waterfalls on the McKenzie River in Willamette National Forest, connected by a 2.6-mile loop trail, with a separate free parking area serving each falls. Both cut through old-growth Douglas fir forest, and spring-fed flow out of Clear Lake keeps them running full into late summer, after many smaller Cascade falls have thinned out. No fee or permit is required at either trailhead. Both sit in the McKenzie stretch of our waterfalls in Oregon guide.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | Sahalie Falls 44.349°N, 121.997°W (GNIS-1126447); Koosah Falls 44.344°N, 122.001°W (GNIS-1122837), Linn County, Oregon, per USGS GNIS |
| Height | Sahalie Falls drops roughly 100 ft over a lava dam in a short series of cascades (the main plunge alone measures about 73 ft); Koosah Falls drops roughly 70 ft over a similar lava cap (main drop about 64 ft). No official USFS figure is published for either; treat these as approximate |
| Nearest town | McKenzie Bridge, Oregon |
| Access | Short walks under 0.1 miles to each viewing platform; a 2.6-mile loop trail connects both falls along the river |
| Fee | None |
| Legal status | Public land, Willamette National Forest |
| Flow reliability | Spring-driven flow from Clear Lake keeps both falls running through summer, unlike smaller seasonal Cascade falls |
Trail and access
Sahalie and Koosah Falls sit on the McKenzie River near McKenzie Bridge, each with its own free parking area and a short walk, under a tenth of a mile, to a platform view. A 2.6-mile loop trail connects the two along the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail, an easy, family-friendly walk with river views the whole way; Sahalie's platform is close enough for wheelchair access. No fee, pass or reservation applies at either trailhead.
Both waterfalls formed where two thick flows of basaltic andesite lava, roughly 3,000 years old, dammed the McKenzie and Clear Lake upstream; the spring-fed lake keeps a steady, cold flow moving over both falls year-round rather than depending on seasonal snowmelt or rain the way many nearby falls do.
The falls
Sahalie Falls, the upstream of the two, drops in a short series of cascades over the lava dam. Its total height is commonly cited around 100 feet, though surveys that count only the main plunge put that drop near 73 feet. About half a mile downstream, Koosah Falls pours a single, wider curtain over a similar lava cap, commonly cited around 70 feet with a main drop of about 64. Because they're close together on the same easy loop, most visitors see both in one stop rather than choosing between them.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from U.S. Forest Service recreation data for Willamette National Forest, USGS GNIS records and published trail reports. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Trail and access conditions change; verify current status before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Is there a fee to visit Sahalie and Koosah Falls?
No. Both trailheads are free, with no permit or day-use fee required.
How far apart are Sahalie and Koosah Falls?
About half a mile along the river, connected by an easy loop trail that also links back to the parking areas.
How long is the trail connecting Sahalie and Koosah Falls?
The full loop runs about 2.6 miles; each individual viewpoint is reachable on its own with a walk of under a tenth of a mile from its parking area.
Do Sahalie and Koosah Falls run dry in summer?
No. Both are fed by spring-driven flow from Clear Lake upstream, which keeps them running through summer, unlike some smaller Cascade falls that thin out.
Is Sahalie Falls wheelchair accessible?
The Sahalie viewpoint sits close enough to the parking area for wheelchair access; Koosah's platform involves a short walk with some uneven terrain.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked August 2026. Read our full methodology.