Parker Falls
​Hike details:
Mileage: 2 miles round trip w/ 410 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 52 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Low
Highest elevation: 2,822 ft. Lowest elevation: 2,405 ft.
General location: 30 miles southeast of Cottage Grove - Umpque National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is March through June when everything is lush and green and the waterfalls are flowing well).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No but there is one just up the road at Brice Creek/Trestle Creek Falls Trailhead
Trail allows: Dogs
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 52 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Low
Highest elevation: 2,822 ft. Lowest elevation: 2,405 ft.
General location: 30 miles southeast of Cottage Grove - Umpque National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is March through June when everything is lush and green and the waterfalls are flowing well).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No but there is one just up the road at Brice Creek/Trestle Creek Falls Trailhead
Trail allows: Dogs
Possible dangers: N/A
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Description:Parker Falls Trail #1415 is located in the Umpqua National Forest and is a wonderful short hike one can explore any time of the year. During the spring the trail is extremely lush and the waterfalls are raging, and during the winter you might even find a smattering of snow.
The trailhead parking is across the road from the beginning of the trail where you will see a sign. Someone has edited the mileage on the sign, which is not ok! If you go all the way to the trail's end at the upper falls, it is 1 mile, making the entire hike 2 miles long. The trail trends uphill a bit as it follows Brice Creek for half a mile. The trail tread is packed dirt along with a few rocks and roots. |
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Right after the trail switchbacks away from the creek, you will see a sign and a trail split. To the right is Lower Falls, just 0.1 miles down the trail. Lower Parker Falls is a stunning 25-foot tall waterfall that you can get right to the base of. In the summer this a great place for the kids to cool off and play in the water. If it is winter, be careful clambering down near the bottom of the falls as the rocks and old logs can be very slick.
After checking out the lower falls, make your way back to the sign and then head up to the upper falls. It's about 0.25 miles and a little bit steep. The trail ends at a beautiful spot by the creek, where the water cascades down small steps into a beautiful clear pool. Right below the pool is Upper Parker Falls which almost looks like a water slide (don't attempt to slide down it though!) After checking out the upper falls and the beautiful pool (this is a great place to sit on the rocks by the creek and have lunch), you will hike back the way you came. |
(Lower Parker Falls)
(Upper Parker Falls)
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Parker Falls is very family friendly and is accessible year-round. If you want to hike more miles, you can also hit Trestle Creek Falls, which is a 3.75 mile loop hike that is just down the road from Parker Falls and also offers two epic waterfalls. Whether you visit Parker Falls in the spring, summer, fall or winter, you will not be disappointed with this underrated gem.
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Directions:
From Eugene
- Drive I-5 south a total of 20 miles to Cottage Grove. Take exit 174 and follow signs to Dorena Lake. Stay on Row River Rd. for 18.4 miles, then at the junction with Laying Creek Rd. the road you're on turns into Brice Creek Rd. Stay on this road for 7.4 and then it will turn into NF-22, stay on this road for another 3.1 miles and find the trailhead on your right. (Total of 50 miles)
- Drive US-97 S for a total of 46.9 miles then turn right onto Crescent Road/Crescent Cutoff Road and continue for 12 miles until you T into OR-58. Take a right and drive OR-58 W for 35.6 miles. At a sign for Hills Creek Reservoir turn left and then turn right onto Road 21 and almost right away turn left onto NF-21 for 5.7 miles. Turn right onto NF-2110 for 10.2 miles then continue straight on NF-22 for 0.6 miles then stay right on NF-22 for 3.4 miles. Turn right onto NF-22 and stay on this road for 2.1 miles until you see the trailhead parking on your left. (Total of 118 miles)
- Drive I-55 N a total of 145 miles to Cottage Grove. Take exit 174 and follow signs to Dorena Lake. Stay on Row River Rd. for 18.4 miles, then at the junction with Laying Creek Rd. the road you're on turns into Brice Creek Rd. Stay on this road for 7.4 and then it will turn into NF-22, stay on this road for another 3.1 miles and find the trailhead on your right. (Total of 176 miles)
- Total of 112 miles via Eugene.
- Total of 156 miles via Eugene.
-This trail write-up was last updated February, 2023-
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*All pictures 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.