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Mcdowell Creek Falls

4.9 (9 reviews)
Open • 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

Mcdowell Creek Falls Photos

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Ginger H.

This place is a gem for those wanting their nature bucket filled. From the sound of the waterfall, to the view of a healthy forest with mossy felt covered branches and large fern and shamrock ground cover to the feel of mist kissed skin. Also, the exercise feel so good on the body.

One of many beautiful bridges in McDowell Creek County Park.
Sparkle H.

What a Beautiful Outdoor Experience!! McDowell Creek County Park is absolutely breathtaking in the Fall Season! It has beginner, intermediate, and difficult trails with 3 separate parking areas depending on where you want to start or what trail you want to hike. We will definitely be back to enjoy this gorgeous park and it's 3 waterfalls! It's clean and well-maintained. It has bathrooms in the parking lot, multiple picnic areas, sturdy bridges over waterways, and stone and wood stairs in multiple areas including leading up to two of its waterfalls. We saw many other nature lovers of all ages during our hike and several dogs. I would say the trail from the lower parking lot was on the higher moderate level as the stairs to the Royal Terrace Falls were a bit steep and some steps were more elevated than others.

McDowell creek
Tim G.

This park is a gem outside Lebanon. It is not super developed, but it is generally clean and the facilities are in good repair. The falls, this time of year are gorgeous. There's about 1.8 miles of trail to walk and three separate parking lots to use. There are a multitude of picnic tables for lunching or sitting around to visit. I spend many a Saturday morning out in the park, walking, reading, meditating... and visiting friends. It is a gorgeous park and one of my favorites within 50 miles of home.

Royal Terrace Falls at McDowell Creek Falls Trailhead / June 2023
Sierra A.

Amazing day use area! Easy/moderate hiking, breathtaking views, and convenient location!

River crossing the trail

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11 months ago

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3 months ago

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9 months ago

Good hike, nice falls! Nice relaxing hike with spouse! Cool shade made it tolerable on a hot day

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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8 months ago

Several beautiful waterfalls are here and awesome wooden stairways to get the best views/photos. Love this place!

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7 years ago

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Tamolitch Blue Pools - You've passed the blue pools if you see this bridge!

Tamolitch Blue Pools

4.7(13 reviews)
34.0 mi

This is my second time completing this trail. It is very popular so make sure to get here early if…read moreyou don't want to park far from the trailhead. There are dig out restrooms available at the trailhead as well as a trash bin. The trail is easy though there are some boulders you need to scramble over in the lava fields. You will walk along a beautiful river and cross a couple foot bridges and streams along the way. Once at the blue pool you will truly see that the photos you've seen online are not edited! The water is unbelievable. You can walk down to the water but it is not recommended to jump in unless you are experienced. The water is 30 degrees year around and several injuries have occurred here- so be wise and have fun.

It rained the whole drive over it seemed! But the trees kept the hike dry. Free parking and porta…read morepotties at the front entrance. The trail is a fairly easy one but you have to watch where you step. The first .75 miles was quite flat but the next .75 miles was fairly rocky. My husband and I both rolled our ankles at different points. Once you get to the actual spot to see the blue pools, there is one sign that says no biking. At that point, veer off towards the water area to see the pool! We missed it and were in the zone of walking and we ended up going too far! Don't go to the bridge that only has one side to hold on to. That means you've gone too far

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Tamolitch Blue Pools
Tamolitch Blue Pools - Standing at a ledge overlooking the Blue Pool.

Standing at a ledge overlooking the Blue Pool.

Tamolitch Blue Pools - Mossy rocks

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Mossy rocks

Tamolitch Falls - The Blue Pool - Bathrooms

Tamolitch Falls - The Blue Pool

4.9(27 reviews)
33.8 mi

Last stop on our trip to Oregon before heading back to San Diego. It was May 1st and we arrived…read morearound 9am so it was not that busy. Drive: Basic mountain roads. Most roads feel brand new with well marked lines and signs. Parking/trailhead: Signs clearly marked parking area for Blue Pool. Long road leading up to trailhead is unpaved and parking is only allowed on one side. Luckily we were early so got a spot not too far down. Two restrooms, pretty stinky but what can you expect? Trail: Pretty easy hike. Mostly even paths I think overall theres about 300 feet gain on it. Some parts were very muddy, a big portion is rocky with lots of lava rock. Some parts have tree roots sticking up. CAUTION: Parts of trail have a really high cliff that drops off into the river with no markings so be careful especially with dogs or kids. Pool: Of course amazing views once you get to the pool. The side you arrive on is on a cliff with the view of the pool below. You can hike down to the pool by hiking around the edge but some parts are really close to the edge. Descending and ascending is difficult and is not for the weak. Over all we had an amazing time. The hike was a little longer than I thought but nothing too crazy even for a novice hiker. I would suggest bringing water and snacks, we didn't and regretted it. If you get down to the water at least dip your feet in. We did and it felt amazing and we actually felt reguvenated for our hike back.

Great trail leading up to the pool. Not a difficult hike at all. Wouldn't suggest doing it when…read moreit's dark though as there are small rocks and rocky areas that can seem to pop out of nowhere and destroy your ankles. The pool is Absolutely beautiful and this is my favorite color. Once you see the one sign that says no bikes allowed, turn towards the water and look over the cliff.

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Tamolitch Falls - The Blue Pool
Tamolitch Falls - The Blue Pool - Caught a rainbow

Caught a rainbow

Tamolitch Falls - The Blue Pool

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McKenzie River National Recreational Trail

McKenzie River National Recreational Trail

4.9(16 reviews)
32.7 mi

A beautiful hike. We did the waterfall loop, which is about a 3 mile hike that takes you by Koosah…read moreand Sahalie Falls. We brought the dogs and the kids, and we had a blast. The scenery was stunning and the trail condition was perfect. We'd definitely come back here again.

What a gift it is to be surrounded by so much natural beauty. Today I was able to hike Sahalie…read moreFalls, Koosah Falls, and Tomalitch Blue Pool, all in one out and back 10.5 mile trek. The drive to the trailhead took 2.5 hours from my home in Portland, so we left by 6. If you arrive after 9 or 10 you have to deal with the crowds. Sahalie Falls was first and can be accessed very easily from the parking lot - no hike required. Keep this one in mind if you have mobility limitations. If you're up for it, hit the trail here. A short distance along the Mckenzie Creek will take you to Koosah Falls. Gorgeous, with falling turquoise water. Want a scare? Look up the fools who cliff jump from here. Incredible. After that you pass by the reservoir, then have a nice hike along a soft pine needle path down to Tomalitch Blue Pool. Again with the cliff jumping. Don't do it! So dangerous. But do carefully follow the pink ribbons over the rock ledge and down to the shore. You can swim if you dare in the 38 degree water. At least dunk your feet. The hike back to where you parked at Sahalie is 5 miles. Pack a lunch, a lot of water (I finished my 3 liters), and enjoy the day.

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McKenzie River National Recreational Trail
McKenzie River National Recreational Trail
McKenzie River National Recreational Trail

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Abiqua Falls Trailhead - The ropes section of the hike wasn't as daunting as initially feared.

Abiqua Falls Trailhead

4.4(10 reviews)
32.4 mi

Abiqua Falls! I just visited this beautiful 92-foot waterfall sort of in the middle of nowhere in…read moreOregon but located about 50 miles south of Portland. I have a lot to relay about the experience. This review could take the maximum 5000 words, lol, but I'll try my best to keep things as concise as possible... There are many questions about what to expect from Abiqua Falls. Even myself, I had concerns and doubts. But...I survived and it's an easy adventure to a very secluded waterfall. I'll try and answer the following questions... - Can you drive to the trailhead? From my POV, it's a VERY ROUGH ROAD down to the bottom. There's one specific section (and you'll recognize it immediately) where the road is practically cracked in half with divots and potholes. I actually witnessed a Ford Explorer trying to drive over it on the way back up and it was a big struggle for them! They eventually got past it, but I thought they were stuck. You absolutely need a high clearance 4x4 vehicle to make it down to the base to access the trailhead to Abiqua Falls. For me...I have a Suburu and I parked 2 miles away at the Abiqua Falls "Parking Lot" (according to Google) and then walked 2 miles down to the bottom and 2 miles back up. There was no way I was risking a flat tire, especially with not knowing how to change a tire and there barely being cell phone reception in the area. Btw...just to arrive at the Abiqua Falls parking lot, you must first drive 1.5 miles on a dirt road. For me, dirt and gravel roads are like nails on a chalkboard. I cringe driving over them. - Where is the trailhead located? This is a good question because there's no specific sign for Abiqua Falls, but it's easy to discover. Here's how...the road down to the bottom only goes so far. Eventually, you'll confront a white fence where you can leave your car (if you drove). But...there's a clear opening to the forest on the left-hand side of the road as you're going down. People say it's hard to find, but truly...you can't miss it. If you're any sort of outdoors enthusiast, it's simple. The hike is 7/10ths of a mile out and back. That's it! Again...there's barely any hiking involved, especially if you drive down to the base. - What is the ropes section like on the trail? I must be transparent. I read other people's AllTrails and Google reviews, and this can be deceiving. Let me explain... There were many reviews saying how the ropes section is intense and you're practically repelling down the cliff side. WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! It's an easy pathway. The ropes are no big deal. I have a serious fear of heights, and I casually made my down to the creek. Using the ropes was necessary for the most part, but it wasn't scary. It didn't strain my hands. IT IS NOT STRESSFUL! I'd rate the trail as easy - moderate. Do not fear the incline/decline slope. There's nothing of that sort. It is 100% safe to get up and down the trail. Once down at the bottom of the creek, hang on the left hand side. You'll notice the trail continuing around the bend that leads straight to Abiqua Falls. It's easy. I had no problems at any point in time. I've been on much, much rougher trails during my explorations. I visited on a random Thursday morning at the end of August and pretty much had the falls to myself. There were a few people that came along towards the middle of the day. I believe if you're coming to Abiqua Falls, you must bring a bathing suit and towel. I think it's a right of passage. The waterfall is scenic and the setting is charming, but other than admiring the views and maybe having a picnic, you must take the plunge in the pool of water that Abiqua Falls splashes down into. - Was the water cold? Absolutely! Lol, I was dreading the cold water but made the premeditated decision that I was swimming to have a fun memory. It wasn't even hot outside as well, but I forced myself in and I'm glad I just did it. Obviously, your body adjusts to the cold and it's not too extreme. Overall, the ambiance at Abiqua Falls was liberating. The canyon walls sort of engulf you from high above. You're standing at this dramatic waterfall and when the sun reaches above the tree line, you can notice some slight coloring in the waters which can make for a magical moment. In all, maybe you need a few hours to hang out at the falls before returning to the ropes section and heading back up to the trailhead and road. Again, the hike back up to the top is barely strenuous. It's a slight workout. Most folks can handle it. Lastly, if you're someone who left their car all the way at the top of the road (like I did), it is possible that you may get offered a lift from those hikers who took a chance driving their cars down to the base. If so, hop in, lol. It'll save time not having to trek back uphill. In the end, I enjoyed getting to witness Abiqua Falls. The journey to arrive here was not as daunting as I initially anticipated. And again, from my POV, be kind to your car tires. Don't risk the drive.

Extremely steep. Rope system down to the bottom. I ended up fracturing my spine in 2 places due to…read morea fall. But if you're able to make it then go. Physical fitness is a MUST But a stunning falls to see

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Abiqua Falls Trailhead - The trailhead to Abiqua Falls. It's located on the left hand side of the road.

The trailhead to Abiqua Falls. It's located on the left hand side of the road.

Abiqua Falls Trailhead - This is Abiqua Falls, a fantastic under the radar  Oregon waterfall.

This is Abiqua Falls, a fantastic under the radar Oregon waterfall.

Abiqua Falls Trailhead - Had Abiqua Falls Trail pathway saved on my phone, just in case I got lost.

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Had Abiqua Falls Trail pathway saved on my phone, just in case I got lost.

Peavy Arboretum - Be sure to pick up a map in the parking area

Peavy Arboretum

4.5(11 reviews)
30.6 mi

Great place in town to take a break. Easy trails to follow…read moreand walk on. Beautifully maintained area. Trees and animals to see. Great benches to stop and enjoy the area. A couple ponds to enjoy a water area for viewing. Well marked area. Also has some laminated cards for kids to find different things on the trails.

Peavy Arboretum is an OSU Forestry Classroom and an excellent comparison of what a normal forest…read moreshould look like compared to an overgrown one after a hundred years of fire prevention. There are areas that are in excellent condition and other areas being maintained and worked on to be brought back into a 'natural' state. There are numerous easy hiking and running trails and the place is dog friendly. We took one of our dogs today and had an excellent hike along well maintained trails that have enough signage and maps to help you navigate. Parking is fairly plentiful and there are also stations that provide 'gift bags' for picking up anything our four leg friends leave behind. This is a dog friendly park and the rules are relaxed as long as everyone is under leash or verbal control. We were there around midday and it was not crowded at all. Everyone that was there was pleasant and well mannered, as were the people who were walking them. I would recommend this arboretum for a nice hike in a healthy forest. A place where you can observe wildlife as well as reacquaint yourself with the different species of trees and plants that are well marked. Best of all, it is free.

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Peavy Arboretum - Wide open forest

Wide open forest

Peavy Arboretum - Well maintained trails

Well maintained trails

Peavy Arboretum - Explanatory signage

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Explanatory signage

Silver Falls State Park - Information desk

Silver Falls State Park

4.7(361 reviews)
28.4 mi

If you're gonna do the Trail of 10 Falls (or 8 as it was recently due to northside trail closure),…read moreI recommend a counter-clockwise route starting at South Falls to avoid crowds and work your way up the magnificence scale. Also helps to get there early as you can. Trails were wet from recent showers but well-maintained and not slick. If it's really been raining and the falls are pumping, be prepared for standing water behind a couple of the falls. (Luckily someone had put out small stones to balance on, but from the looks of their wet shoes many people were unlucky in their attempts to cross.) Walking sticks can be helpful in the steeper grades. It now costs $10 to park unless you've got an annual pass

Daily parking permits are $10 per day, per vehicle for Oregon residents, and $12 per day otherwise…read more There are machines that sell the permits at the parking lots, so it's a pretty straightforward process. I went when there was a lot of rainfall, and so there was actually an emergency trail closure that spanned the majority of the park. Fortunately, the Canyon trail between the South Falls and the Lower South Falls was still open, and so I hiked that trail. It was absolutely amazing!! The falls were roaring and the creek was almost overflowing. The hike began with dark clouds and rain. As the trail led down and behind South Falls, the spray from the falls was heavier than the rain, soaking you from head to toe. The path then hugs the creek, which threatened to take over the trail at some points. There's a flight of stairs right before the Lower Falls, and at this point you can hear the thundering crash of the falls. As you go behind the falls, a shroud of darkness envelops you and you realize that suddenly you're fording through ankle deep water. With the loss of sight comes with the deafening noise of the tumbling water, and the spray attacks you every which way. Stumbling through, you emerge and find that the rain has stopped. As you crest up the path, the sun breaks, filtering through the trees with only the silence of the forest, punctuated with the occasional plop-plops of the trees shedding the water drops of the earlier rain. The silence is almost deafening. Good thing that the trail takes you right to the Lodge, which has a roaring fire inside to dry yourself with! There are also cool nature exhibits inside, as well as a small cafe to get drinks to warm yourself from the inside too. I would come here again, rain or shine!

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Silver Falls State Park - South Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon.

South Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon.

Silver Falls State Park - Bridges

Bridges

Silver Falls State Park - Love a stone paved bridge

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Love a stone paved bridge

Mcdowell Creek Falls - hiking - Updated May 2026

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