Your guide to Oregon’s Highway of Waterfalls
Oregon’s Highway of Waterfalls is an under-appreciated crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest! Located in Southern Oregon, this epic road trip winds eastward along Highway 138 between Roseburg and Crater Lake National Park. Along the way, you’ll pass by dozens of waterfalls, beautiful hikes, and the best hot spring soak in Oregon!
Below you’ll find a two day itinerary for Oregon’s Highway of Waterfalls. Our guide to the Highway of Waterfalls includes can’t miss hikes to stunning waterfalls and a natural hot spring. The hikes are suitable for a range of skill levels. While some of these trails and waterfalls are open year-round, these hikes are usually best done in late spring, summer, and fall.
Ready to plan your waterfall road trip? Read below for how we spent 48 hours along Oregon’s Highway of Waterfalls!
48 hour highway of waterfalls itinerary
Day 1 on the highway of waterfalls: Three waterfalls, and the best natural hot spring in Oregon!
Susan Creek Falls
Hike length: 1.5 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 187 feet | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: None
Start your adventure with an easy trek to Susan Creek Falls, just 30 minutes east of Roseburg, Oregon! The trailhead is located immediately off of Highway 138, and there is usually plenty of parking. After a short hike, you’ll walk down an embankment near the base of Susan Creek Falls, where you’ll see the falls cascading 60 feet over moss-covered volcanic rock cliffs. Parts of this area were burned in a wildfire and are actively recovering, so please stay on the trail to help the restoration progress.
Toketee Falls
Hike length: 0.8 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 170 feet | Trail type: Out and back
Fees: None
After Susan Creek Falls, head an hour east on Highway 138 to one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Oregon: Toketee Falls! Toketee Falls is a two-tiered waterfall on the North Umpqua River that plunges an impressive 113 feet into a deep blue pool. The waterfall is surrounded by beautiful volcanic columnar basalt that rises high above the waterfall on both sides. The Toketee Falls Trail is a short forested hike that leads to a wooden viewing platform overlooking the falls, which is a great spot for a photo!
Umpqua Hot Springs
Hike length: 1 mile – 5 miles (round trip; depending on season) | Elevation Gain: 160 feet | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: $5 or or free with America the Beautiful or Annual Northwest Forest Pass
Just 10 minutes down the road from Toketee Falls are some of the best hot springs in Oregon! Umpqua Hot Springs is a series of natural hot springs located near Toketee Falls. There are several pools ranging in temperature and size all overlooking the beautiful Umpqua River down below.
In the summer visitors can drive directly to the trailhead, but in the winter the road is closed except to foot-traffic, making the hike a bit longer. You can find our full guide to visit Umpqua Hot Springs, including specific tips for winter, here!
Wondering what to bring with you? We always recommend wearing waterproof sandals in hot springs (womens and mens), a quick dry towel, and plenty of drinking water!
There are pit toilets at the trailhead but no restrooms or other amenities at the hot springs so plan to pack out what you pack in!
Watson Falls
Hike length: 0.8 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 433 feet | Trail type: Loop | Fees: none
After soaking to your heart’s content at Umpqua Hot Springs, drive 15 minutes farther east on Highway 138 to the third largest waterfall in Oregon! At an impressive 272 feet tall, and surrounded by sheer volcanic cliffs, Watson Falls looks like it is straight out of Iceland! While standing at the base, you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by massive cathedral volcanic walls – it’s breathtaking! The parking lot has plenty of parking spots and a pit toilet, and leads directly to the trailhead. The short hike parallels Watson Creek. This waterfall is extremely misty, so I recommend wearing a good waterproof rain jacket (also available in mens).
Where to stay along the Highway of Waterfalls
The Highway of Waterfalls is fairly rural, with limited places to stay. There are a few inns and several campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. If you’re seeking a nice place to unwind, shower, and sleep in a cozy bed, we recommend Steamboat Inn. Steamboat Inn is surrounded by a beautiful lush forest overlooking the Umpqua River. They have a cafe and restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you’re up for the adventure of tent camping, we recommend the Toketee Lake Campground, located a few short minutes from Umpqua Hot Springs. This campground is open year-round, and the Forest Service website provides additional information on amenities.
Day 2 on the highway of waterfalls: Three more beautiful waterfalls!
Whitehorse Falls
Hike length: 0.1 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 3 feet | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: none
Just 7 minutes down the road from Watson Falls is Whitehorse Falls, which is a great accessible option for families and people with mobility challenges. From the parking lot visitors can walk along a short paved path to the viewing deck overlooking the 14-foot-tall waterfall surrounded by lush forest.
Lemolo Falls
Hike length: 2.1 – 3.4 miles (round trip; depending on which trail you take) | Elevation Gain: 383 – 570 feet (depending on which trail you take) | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: none
Lemolo Falls is the tallest waterfall on the North Umpqua River in Oregon plunging 165 feet over a sheer cliff! You get to choose your own adventure with this waterfall! Lemolo Falls can be accessed via the two different trailheads – the Lower Lemolo Falls trailhead will take you to the bottom of the falls, while the Lemolo Falls trailhead will take you to the top of the falls. We’ve done both trails, and honestly they are equally beautiful, but offer totally different views of the waterfall! If you have time and energy, we recommend doing both trails.
Warm Spring Falls
Hike length: 0.6 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 65 feet | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: none
Warm Spring Falls is a little bit of a detour from Highway 138, but well worth the trek! The trail to Warm Spring descends through a shaded cool forest, leading to a viewing platform from which you can see the falls. The waterfall falls 70 feet into a beautiful basalt canyon, and is somewhat similar to Toketee Falls (discussed above). This is a less popular trail, so you can expect to see very few visitors on the trail with you.
Have more time? Add in a trip to Crater Lake National Park or Bend, Oregon!
Crater Lake National Park: Located 1 hour from National Creek Falls, Crater Lake National Park is beautiful to visit year-round. Want more? Check out our 48 Hour Winter Itinerary in Crater Lake and our 72 Hour Summer Itinerary in Crater Lake (coming soon!).
Bend, Oregon: Located two hours from National Creek Falls, Bend, Oregon is one of our favorite places in the state! Click here for our guide to 7 amazing hikes in Bend.
Have you been along the Highway of Waterfalls? If you’ve been before, what “must see” attractions did we miss?
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