Sweet Creek Falls
​via Homestead Trailhead
​Hike details:
Mileage: 2.1 miles round trip w/ 330 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 54 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, low on weekdays
Highest elevation: 488 ft. Lowest elevation: 131 ft.
General location: 10.25 miles south of Mapleton - Siuslaw National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is March through May for best waterfall flow).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 54 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, low on weekdays
Highest elevation: 488 ft. Lowest elevation: 131 ft.
General location: 10.25 miles south of Mapleton - Siuslaw National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is March through May for best waterfall flow).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs
Possible dangers: N/A
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Description:Sweet Creek Falls Trail is an easy family friendly hike that is accessible year-round and beautiful in all seasons. This valley is nestled deep in the coast range and was settled by the Zarah T. Sweets, a family of early Oregon Trail pioneers in 1879. Parts of the old wagon road have even been incorporated into the Sweet Creek Trail network, so this area is full of history!
If you start at the Homestead trailhead you will walk on a well-graded trail that follows Sweet Creek upstream. After 0.3 miles you will come to where the creek hugs cliff walls, so wooden boardwalks have been built as the trail. It is really neat being able to walk above the water. You will also see Annice Falls flowing into Sweet Creek. |
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(Annice Falls)
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Continue upstream where you will see the water dance and cascade down many flat rocks. This area is magical and you could sit here for hours just watching the water. Just a little further up the trail is the beautiful plunge pool where 20 foot tall Sweet Creek Falls plummets down. When the water is high, this small waterfall can come down with some thundering force.
If you want a different perspective, take the short spur trail up to the right about 150 yards to the upper viewing platform, where you will witness the falls tumbling through a narrow slot in the rocks. |
(Sweet Creek Falls and its plunge pool)
(Sweet Creek Falls from the upper viewpoint platform)
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Sweet Creek Falls really shows off the beauty of Oregon’s Coast Range. This trail is highly recommended during all seasons. In the spring you will see a lot of lush green growth along the trail and the creek will have lots of water. In the summer the creek will be lower and offer more opportunities to play in the water. During the autumn months you can find beautiful fall foliage along the trail, and in the winter, this is the perfect hike to do to get out of the grey valley or snowy mountains. Since this hike is so short, you can easily add on Beaver Creek Falls, which is just 1.25 miles up the road at the Wagon Road Trailhead.
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Directions:
From Eugene
- Drive OR-126 W towards Florence for 42.3 miles. Right before crossing the bridge in Mapleton, turn left onto Sweet Creek Rd. for 11.2 miles to the trailhead on your right. (Total of 57.6 miles)
- Total of 115 miles via Eugene.
- Total of 167 miles via Eugene.
- Total of 188 miles via Eugene.
- Total of 205 miles via Eugene.
-This trail write-up was last updated June, 2022-
*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.