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When it comes to outdoor adventures, Southern Oregon truly has it all — including waterfalls! Here’s a list of some of the best places to hike and see waterfalls in the area, all within just a short drive from The Vineyards at Stage Pass.
7 Breathtaking Waterfalls in Southern Oregon
If you’re looking for a new adventure, perhaps one of these gorgeous waterfalls in Southern Oregon will pique your interest.
1. Butte Falls
As you may have guessed, the Butte Falls waterfall is located in the historic town of Butte Falls, which is just a few miles northeast of Medford. This town is one of the smallest in the state, with a population of about 400 people and a quaint downtown area consisting of one gas station, one general store, and two restaurants.
The waterfall itself is at the former site of a 20th-century water-powered sawmill. There’s no hike required to reach its viewing deck, making it a very accessible option for families with young children and/or limited mobility. There are also picnic tables available here if you’re looking for a scenic lunch spot!
Directions: Take Crater Lake Hwy north, then take a right on Butte Falls Hwy. The road to the waterfall will be on your left, right before you enter town.
2. Mill Creek Falls
As one of the tallest waterfalls in Southern Oregon, Mill Creek Falls features a 173-foot drop into the Rogue River. It’s located along Avenue of the Boulders in Prospect, just off of Crater Lake Hwy, making this a great day trip or perfect stop on your way to Central Oregon! The hike to it is short and surrounded by beautiful forests.
Haven’t heard of Avenue of the Boulders? It was created at the same time as Crater Lake was, another product of ancient volcano Mt. Mazama’s eruption and collapse over 7,000 years ago. The eruption was so powerful that it blew room-sized boulders 20 miles away into Prospect. It’s a pretty neat attraction to check out!
Directions: Take Crater Lake Hwy north, turn right onto Prospect Access Rd, then turn onto Mill Creek Dr. The trail to the falls will be on your right.
3. Pearsony Falls
In the same vicinity as Mill Creek Falls, Pearsony Falls features one of the best all-around hiking and sightseeing experiences. It’s not a particularly tall or large waterfall, but the 1.25-mile hike to get there and back is incredible.
Pearsony Falls is also along the famous Avenue of the Boulders, so it makes for a great addition to a well-rounded waterfall adventure seeing those and Mill Creek Falls.
Directions: Take Crater Lake Hwy north, turn right onto Prospect Access Rd, then turn onto Mill Creek Dr. The trail to the falls will be on your right, just after Mill Creek Falls.
4. Whitehorse Falls
Whitehorse Falls is a small, but gorgeous waterfall located on the Clearwater River in Douglas County. It’s approximately a two-hour drive from Medford. It’s only 14 feet tall, but it drops into a beautiful blue pool that you can swim in.
The hike to the waterfall is a brief two minutes. You’re basically at the viewpoint right when you hop out of your car.
Directions: Take Crater Lake Hwy north until it turns into W Diamond Lake Hwy. Continue traveling north until that turns into N Umpqua Hwy. Take Rd 4770 on your right, then the trail to the falls will be on your left.
5. Watson Falls
Just minutes away from Whitehorse Falls, Watson Falls is another gorgeous stop along the Clearwater River in Douglas County. It plunges a whopping 272 feet down into an amphitheater of basalt lava flow.
The hike getting there is just as awe-inspiring as the waterfall itself. It’s a short 0.6-mile loop complete with an array of moss-covered trees and rocks.
Directions: Take Crater Lake Hwy north until it turns into W Diamond Lake Hwy. Continue traveling north until that turns into N Umpqua Hwy. Take a left on NF-37, then the trail to the falls will be on your left.
6. Lost Falls
Lost Falls is located just outside of Ashland, only about an hour away from Medford. It’s a difficult-to-find waterfall on the well-known Grizzly Peak.
The hike is about a mile, sometimes crossing a babbling creek and other times running through gorgeous forestry until you reach the 80-foot drop of the waterfall. It’s fairly flat and easy — but the drive getting there is trickier. There are a number of dirt roads you need to take before you reach the trail. But as long as you pay close attention to directions on how to get there, you’ll be in for a scenic treat.
Directions: We’ll be honest — this website describes the directions for Lost Falls better than we can. Just keep in mind that these directions are starting in Ashland, not Medford.
7. Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls is a Southern Oregonian favorite and the most well-known waterfall on the North Umpqua River. It’s an easy and pretty hike to get there, about a mile there and back.
The trail has 200 steps that lead to the viewing deck, where you’ll see the cascading waterfall plunging into an amphitheater of columnar basalt. The waterfall has constant flow throughout the entire year, so you can always count on it being an enjoyable and beautiful experience.
Directions: Take Crater Lake Hwy north until it turns into W Diamond Lake Hwy. Continue on W Diamond Lake Hwy until that turns into N Umpqua Hwy. Turn right on Toketee School Rd, then the trail to the falls will be on your left.
Build Your Home at Stage Pass & Enjoy the Adventurous Beauty of Southern Oregon Every Day!
When you live at Stage Pass, you get some of Southern Oregon’s most breathtaking landscapes, right outside your front door. From waterfalls to mountaintops and vineyard valleys, it’s a place full of endless explorations — and, therefore, a great place to call home.
To learn more about our gated, master-planned community in the midst of it all, contact our team online.
