Drift Creek Falls
​Hike details:
Mileage: 3 miles out and back w/ 525 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 1 hour 18 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Medium to high on weekends, (low to medium trail usage especially in the late fall and winter and on week days)
Highest elevation: 1,915 ft. Lowest elevation: 635 ft.
General location: 16 miles east of Lincoln City - Siuslaw National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is December through April for best waterfall flow and lush greenery).
Permits required: Northwest Forest Pass for parking
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 1 hour 18 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Medium to high on weekends, (low to medium trail usage especially in the late fall and winter and on week days)
Highest elevation: 1,915 ft. Lowest elevation: 635 ft.
General location: 16 miles east of Lincoln City - Siuslaw National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is December through April for best waterfall flow and lush greenery).
Permits required: Northwest Forest Pass for parking
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash
Possible dangers: N/A
(parking lot picture taken by Jonathan Stull)
Description:
Drift Creek Falls is an easy 3 mile round-trip hike that is perfect for the whole family! This hike is generally accessible year-round and because of its relatively close proximity to Portland and Salem, it does tend to be busy on weekends. The parking lot is quite small for how popular this hike is, and it can hold roughly 20 cars. There is a pit toilet at the trailhead and to help keep the trailhead clean and stocked with toilet paper and map brochures, you are required to pay a $5 day use fee, or us your Annual NW Forest Pass if you have one.
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Please read the sign at the beginning of the hike that lets you know of the mileage as well as the trail rules such as no bicycles and all dogs must be kept on a leash at all times!
This is one of the rare trails that loses elevation going to the destination. You will not have any elevation gain until you're on your way back to the car. The trail is very wide and well groomed, and it meanders through a lush forest of moss covered trees and thick fern undergrowth. About a mile into the hike you will come across a beautiful suspension bridge that hangs 100 feet off the ground and spans a total of 240 feet to the other side of the canyon. It was built in 1997 and all the parts were flown in by a helicopter and it can support 165,000 pounds, so don't worry...even though it sways and moves a bit when you walk across, it will not collapse. The bridge is one of the coolest part of the hike. |
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After walking across the bridge, the trail has a few switchbacks as you head down to the base of Drift Creek Falls. This waterfall used to look quite different actually. In 2010 a huge rock face broke away, revealing beautiful columnar basalt, giving it the iconic look that it has today. Unfortunately the rocks that broke off, fell into the beautiful pool that was once at the base of this waterfall.
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Drift Creek Falls is 66 feet tall and now plummets down onto a pile of huge rocks. It may be tempting to walk around on these rocks, however it is not recommended as they are always wet due to the spray from the falls and are covered in slippery moss.
Overall, this hike is very easy, however keep in mind that you will be gaining all of the 500+ feet of elevation on the way back. The thrill of the suspension bridge and the roaring falls in the canyon, make for quite the adventure. This is the perfect hike to take children on because the trail is wide so you can hold their hand, and it is well groomed and there are no drop off dangers until you get to the bridge. The Siuslaw National Forest is brimming with greenery and shows off the quintessential Oregon forest. |
(Drift Creek Falls prior to the rock face collapse - picture taken by Crystal Sola)
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Directions:
From Lincoln City
- Take Hwy. 101 south for 3.4 miles then turn left onto S. Drift Creek Road and stay on this road for 1.6 miles. When the road comes to a T turn right to stay on S. Drift Creek Road for only .4 miles then take a slight left onto S. Drift Creek Camp Road where you will pass Drift Creek County Park then continue on for .9 miles. You will see a fork in the road, stay left on NF-17 and continue on for 9.3 windy miles until you reach the trailhead on your right. (Total of 15.8 miles)
- Drive OR-22 west towards Lincoln City for 16.4 miles then take the ramp to the Oregon Coast merging onto OR-18 west. Stay on this road for 21.8 miles then turn left onto N. Bear Creek Road which turns into NF-17. Continue on this windy road for 8.9 miles until you get to the trailhead on your right. (Total of 57.4 miles)
- Drive I-5 south then merge onto OR-99W S/SW Barbur Blvd/Pacific Hwy W for 5 miles, then keep right to stay on OR-99 W for another 17.3 miles. Just past Bellevue continue on OR-18. Stay on this road for 21.8 miles then turn left onto N. Bear Creek Road which turns into NF-17. Continue on this windy road for 8.9 miles until you get to the trailhead on your right. (Total of 86.2 miles).
- Total of 123 miles via Salem.
- Total of 190 miles via Salem.
- Total of 286 miles via Salem.
-This trail write-up was last updated June, 2022-
*All pictures unless otherwise marked are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*All pictures unless otherwise marked are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.