Are there fees or permits required for Barr Creek Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Barr Creek Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Barr Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Barr Creek Falls.

Nearby gauge (Rogue River) · 564 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Barr Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Barr Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Barr Creek Falls. Dogs are allowed on leash on the Mill Creek Falls trail.

Oregon • 240 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

Photo Credits (5)

phoca2004 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Amy Bayer CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.4 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

325 ft

About Barr Creek Falls

Barr Creek Falls is a 240-foot, two-tiered ribbon falls where Barr Creek plunges into the Rogue River Canyon near Prospect in Jackson County, Oregon, over cliffs of volcanic ash from the Mount Mazama eruption. It is seen from a clifftop viewpoint on the short Mill Creek Falls trail, which Boise Cascade developed as the Mill Creek Falls Scenic Area. The falls has also been called Bear Creek Falls.

The Setting

Barr Creek Falls sits at 2,530 feet in the hills of Oregon. At 240 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Oregon.

Height: 240 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Mill Creek Falls (173 ft) lies 0.4 miles to the south.

Mill Creek Falls

Trail & Hike Details

1.4 mi distance 325 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy 1.4-mile out-and-back trail gains 325 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

From the Mill Creek Falls parking area, the trail reaches the cliff-edge viewpoint of Mill Creek Falls, then follows the cliff edge to a road; turn left for a clifftop view of Barr Creek Falls under a couple of madrone trees. The round trip is about 1.4 miles with about 325 feet of elevation gain. Viewpoints are exposed with steep drop-offs.

What to Expect

The falls plunge 240 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Barr Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on leash on the Mill Creek Falls trail.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Barr Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the water flow is strongest during these seasons. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may bring icy conditions on the trail.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 44°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

The viewpoints are on unfenced cliff edges with long drops, and falls here have caused deaths. Keep children and dogs close. Rocks at the nearby Avenue of the Boulders are slippery when wet.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Low

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Rogue River, 1.6 miles away, not on Barr Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

564 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

541 676 1.1k 1.4k

Based on 75 years of record

1.25 ft

Water depth at gauge

44°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 44 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.

About This Gauge

ROGUE RIVER BELOW PROSPECT, OR

USGS 14330000

1.6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 379 sq mi

Altitude: 1,965 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge ROGUE RIVER BELOW PROSPECT, OR (3 km away).

High confidence

Low right now

564 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

564 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Low

643 cfs

4/10

Sat

Moderate

676 cfs

5/10

Sun

Moderate

673 cfs

5/10

Mon

Moderate

660 cfs

5/10

Tue

Low

664 cfs

6/10

Wed

Low

720 cfs

4/10

Best window: Today — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to early June, peaking in May.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Prospect hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Barr Creek Falls Frozen?

Updated about 5 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Barr Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 68°F to 49°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 578 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Oregon.

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

From Medford, take Highway 62 north toward Crater Lake about 41.5 miles. Turn right onto Prospect Access Road for 0.3 miles, then left onto Mill Creek Drive for 0.7 miles, and turn right into the Mill Creek Falls parking area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Paved road to the Mill Creek Falls parking area, which has a portable toilet and picnic tables and is often crowded. Open dawn to dusk.

Elevation

2,530 feet above sea level

Coordinates

42.746239° N, -122.495591° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early during weekends or holidays to secure parking. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy after rain. Bring a camera to capture the scenic views.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 1.4 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

JIM CREEK GROUP CAMPGROUND

8.2 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Jim Creek Group Campground provides your group with a peaceful camping experience in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Recreation Woodruff Bridge picnic area is nearby and provides access to the Upper Rogue River Trail. The Upper Rogue River Trail (USFS #1034) mostly parallels the Rogue River for about 47 miles from near the river’s headwaters at Boundary Springs in Crater Lake National Park to the North Fork Dam outside Prospect, Oregon. A managed off-highway vehicle (OHV) trai

Book on Recreation.gov