Are there fees or permits required for Big Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Big Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Big Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Big Falls.

Nearby gauge (Crooked River) · 137 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Big Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Big Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Big Falls.

Oregon • 30 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 23 other waterfalls also named Big Falls, see below

Deschutes River Segment D WSR · DESG

Before you go

Public access to Big Falls is not confirmed and nearby land may be private. Check with the BLM Prineville District before visiting.

Photo Credits (5)

2WheelTravlr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

TomCollins CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

niiicedave CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

acase1968 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

.aditya. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

About Big Falls

Big Falls is a 30-foot drop on the Deschutes River near Terrebonne and Crooked River Ranch in Deschutes County, Oregon, within the Middle Deschutes Wild and Scenic River corridor. Flow is often low because much of the river's water is diverted upstream for irrigation. Public access and any trail to the falls are not confirmed, so check land status before visiting.

The Setting

Big Falls sits at 2,480 feet within Deschutes River Segment D, in the hills of Oregon. The falls drop 30 feet.

Height: 30 feet

Trail & Hike Details

What to Expect

The falls drop 30 feet.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and natural obstacles.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Big Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Big Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Flow over the falls depends on how much water is left in the river after upstream irrigation diversions, and the riverbed can be close to dry at times.

Seasonal Access

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

Safety Information

The rocks near the waterfall can be slippery, so visitors should exercise caution. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, and carry a map or GPS device as cell service may be unreliable.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 4 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Crooked River, 4.8 miles away, not on Big Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

137 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

152 174 210 236

Based on 23 years of record

1.99 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.

About This Gauge

CROOKED RIVER BLW OSBORNE CANYON, NR OPAL CITY, OR

USGS 14087380

4.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 4,520 sq mi

Altitude: 2,190 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge CROOKED RIVER BLW OSBORNE CANYON, NR OPAL CITY, OR (8 km away).

High confidence

Barely Flowing right now

137 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

137 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Low

146 cfs

4/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

142 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

138 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

137 cfs

5/10

Fri

Low

148 cfs

4/10

Sat

Low

151 cfs

4/10

Best window: Tue — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).

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

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 Crooked River Ranch hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Big Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Big Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 71°F to 36°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 137 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

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

The bare-earth surface loses about 156 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The falls are listed at 30 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 2,485 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 159 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 128 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Big Falls near Crooked River Ranch, Oregon, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Big Falls near Crooked River Ranch, Oregon, showing about 156 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 2,485 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 156 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Big Falls is roughly 1.2 to 1.5 river miles downstream of where Lower Bridge Way crosses the Deschutes west of Terrebonne. No trail to the falls is documented; paddlers on the Lower Bridge run must portage it.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Elevation

2,480 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.371404° N, -121.292485° W

Land Management

Deschutes River Segment D WSR

Managed by BLM

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy footwear as the trail may be muddy or uneven in places. Bring insect repellent during warmer months, and check weather conditions before visiting. Cell service may be limited in the area.

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

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

SOUTH SHORE GROUP SITES

10.9 miles away · 2 sites

OverviewHaystack South Shore Group Campground is the only group campground on Haystack Reservoir. Each of the two campsites holds up to 50 people. This is a year-round facility ideal for large events such as family reunions or groups of rock climbers visiting nearby Smith Rock State Park. Natural Features:South Shore is located in the high desert landscape with views of Mt. Jefferson as a scenic backdrop. Juniper trees and sagebrush dot the landscape. The combination of a low forest canopy and 3,

Book on Recreation.gov