Sahalie Falls & Koosah Falls
​Hike details:
Mileage: 2.8 mile loop w/ 455 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 1 hour 13 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, low on weekdays
Highest elevation: 3,000 ft. Lowest elevation: 2,625 ft.
General location: 72 miles east of Springfield - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is April, May, June for best waterfall flow).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, mountain bikes (on the McKenzie River Trail side only)
Possible dangers: Trail can be muddy or icy depending on the season.
Approximate hike time: 1 hour 13 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, low on weekdays
Highest elevation: 3,000 ft. Lowest elevation: 2,625 ft.
General location: 72 miles east of Springfield - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is April, May, June for best waterfall flow).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, mountain bikes (on the McKenzie River Trail side only)
Possible dangers: Trail can be muddy or icy depending on the season.
(Koosah Falls 64 ft.)
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Description:The Waterfall Loop Trail is part of the 26 mile long McKenzie River trail. On this loop you can see Sahalie and Koosah Falls from both sides of the river, and avoid the crowds that only hang out at the waterfall viewing platforms. Most descriptions of this loop will have you start at the Sahalie Falls parking lot, however, because it is an extremely popular destination and the parking lot is almost always full, this description will have you start at the Koosah Falls parking area. Head 1/4 of a mile south on highway 126 and turn at the sign for Koosah Falls and park here. This parking lot is farther off the highway, so less people park here because it isn’t an obvious road-side attraction like Sahalie Falls.
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From the parking lot you will walk down to the Koosah Falls viewing platform and then you will continue upstream on the Waterfall Trail. Koosah Falls is 64 feet tall. On the section of trail between Koosah and Sahalie Falls, there are some stunning views of the McKenzie River, so keep your eyes open for viewpoints along the riverbank (like the picture below).
(view up the McKenzie River)
(Waterfall Trail)
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(Sahalie Falls 73 ft.)
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Sahalie Falls is 73 feet tall, and after the viewpoint, most people head back to their cars, so the loop hike is not as busy as one might think. After hiking half a mile past the falls, you will come to a bridge. The trail you are on continues all the way to Clear Lake (1.5 miles) so if you would like to venture that way you can.
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Once you cross the bridge, you will be on the other side of the McKenzie River and now heading down stream. You are now on the official McKenzie River Trail, which is a very popular mountain biking route that follows the river for 26.6 miles. Due to this being a heavily used mountain bike trail, the trail is generally very well maintained. This section is 1.3 miles and it is definitely the most beautiful part of the loop. Getting to see Sahalie and Koosah Falls from the other side of the river is really cool.
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(Sahalie Falls)
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(Koosah Falls)
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When you get down to Carmen Reservoir, you will get off the McKenzie River Trail and head across a gravel parking area. You will have to cross a bridge to get to the other side of the river where you will find the Waterfall Trail again. There is a deceiving little trail that goes into the woods right before the bridge, but keep in mind you will want to be on the other side of the river to get back to your car. The trail does trend uphill a bit on the way back, but to get back to the Koosah Falls parking lot it is only another 0.9 miles.
This is the perfect hike for those who cannot do long treks, and for those with children who prefer not to hike more than 3 miles. Due to the hike being a loop, it does keep things interesting and there is a lot to see so kids won’t get bored. This is also a great hike to do in the early winter because the elevation is low here and there is rarely much snow. The trail is very well maintained and easy to walk on.
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Directions:
From Eugene
- Drive OR-126 52.6 miles east to the town of McKenzie Bridge. 19 miles east of McKenzie Bridge, near milepost 5 turn into the clearly marked Sahalie Falls parking lot. This parking lot is usually full, so you can head south on Hwy. 126 to the Koosah Falls parking lot where you can also start the loop. (Total of 71.8 miles).
- Drive US-97 north towards Redmond, then merge onto US-20 west towards Sisters. 25.1 miles past Sisters keep left on US-20 for another 3.3 miles, then turn left on to OR-126 for 5.2 miles and turn right into the clearly marked Sahalie Falls parking lot. This parking lot is usually full, so you can head south on Hwy. 126 to the Koosah Falls parking lot where you can also start the loop. (Total of 57.6 miles).
- Drive OR-22 east towards Detroit for 80 miles. Turn right onto US-20 west and immediately turn left onto OR-126 east for 5.2 miles and turn right into the clearly marked Sahalie Falls parking lot. This parking lot is usually full, so you can head south on Hwy. 126 to the Koosah Falls parking lot where you can also start the loop. (Total of 91.9 miles).
- It is a total of 137 miles via Salem.
- It is a total of 235 miles via Eugene.
*All photos 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.