Salt Creek Falls: access, fees and trail
Salt Creek Falls is Oregon's second-tallest single-drop waterfall at 286 feet, viewable from a wheelchair-accessible platform just 50 yards from the parking lot in Willamette National Forest. A Northwest Forest Pass or $5 day pass covers the trailhead from May through October, and a longer loop trail with interpretive signage adds more vantage points along the canyon rim for those who want to walk further. It sits in the Cascades section of our waterfalls in Oregon guide, near Oakridge and Willamette Pass.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43.762°N, 122.372°W, Lane County, Oregon, per USGS GNIS (GNIS-1149001) |
| Height | 286 ft, a single drop, Oregon's second-tallest waterfall |
| Nearest town | Oakridge, Oregon |
| Access | Short walk, 50 yards from the parking lot to the main platform; a longer 0.7-mile loop trail adds more viewpoints |
| Fee | Northwest Forest Pass or $5 day pass, required May through October |
| Legal status | Public land, Willamette National Forest |
| Pool depth | About 66 ft deep at the base of the falls |
Trail and access
Salt Creek Falls sits just off Highway 58 near Willamette Pass, close enough to Oakridge for an easy stop rather than a dedicated trip. The main observation platform is only 50 yards from the parking lot, wheelchair accessible, with railings set low enough to keep the view open from a seated position; it's among the most accessible major waterfalls in Oregon. From there, the Salt Creek Falls Trail (#3673) continues as a 0.7-mile loop with interpretive signage, offering several more vantage points along the canyon rim for visitors who want more than the platform view.
A Northwest Forest Pass or a $5 day pass is required at the trailhead from May through October; outside that window, the fee typically isn't collected, though it's worth checking current signage since forest fee schedules shift. An America the Beautiful interagency pass also covers the fee here.
The falls
Salt Creek drops 286 feet in a single plunge, Oregon's second-tallest single-drop waterfall after Multnomah Falls' upper tier, with an average yearly flow around 50,000 gallons per minute pushing over the rock. The pool at the base runs about 66 feet deep. The falls and canyon are open year-round and hold visual interest through winter, when spray can freeze along the canyon walls, though the fee-free season and the heaviest crowds both fall in summer.
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. Fees and access rules change; verify current requirements with the Willamette National Forest before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Is there a fee to visit Salt Creek Falls?
Yes, from May through October: a Northwest Forest Pass or a $5 day pass at the trailhead. Outside that window, the fee typically isn't collected.
How tall is Salt Creek Falls?
286 feet, making it Oregon's second-tallest single-drop waterfall.
Is Salt Creek Falls wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The main observation platform is 50 yards from the parking lot with railings designed for wheelchair sight-lines, one of the most accessible major falls in Oregon.
How long is the hike to Salt Creek Falls?
The main platform is just 50 yards from the parking lot. A longer loop trail with more viewpoints runs about 0.7 miles.
Is Salt Creek Falls open year-round?
Yes. The falls and canyon rim trail are open all year; the day-use fee applies only from May through October.
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.