Cascade Falls waterfall
Live Conditions · 72 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Cascade Falls

Oregon

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain
Williams, Barney UNKE · PVT
Photo Credits (5)
1.
2.
Ian Sane CC BY 2.0 · Flickr
3.
James Marvin Phelps CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr
4.
5.

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Cascade Falls

Cascade Falls is a small, picturesque waterfall set in a quiet, verdant forest on privately owned land within the Williams, Barney land unit. The falls sit beneath a canopy of moss-covered trees and ferns, offering a peaceful place to pause, take photos, or enjoy a brief nature escape. Management details for the parcel are unknown, so visitors should respect private-property notices and Leave No Trace principles. A short hike brings you in close to the cascade; the approach is readily accessible to most hikers but does involve a moderate climb. The nearest listed campground is noted as "Newport to Florence," about 3.5 km away, making this an easy stop on a coastal or forest loop for campers looking to combine an overnight stay with a morning or afternoon waterfall visit.

The Setting

Cascade Falls sits at 233 feet within Williams, Barney, fed by the Alsea River, in the coastal lowlands of Oregon.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Trail length: 2.4 miles (out-and-back). Elevation gain: approximately 350 feet. Difficulty: moderate. The route is a 2.4-mile out-and-back that climbs roughly 350 feet, offering a steady but manageable ascent through dense forest. The trail threads under moss-draped trees and through ferns, creating a tranquil walk to the falls; expect mixed natural tread rather than paved surfaces. USFS trail surface, grade, and technical class data are not available for this route, so plan for uneven footing and typical woodland trail conditions.

What to Expect

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 Cascade Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Cascade Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall flow is typically stronger due to seasonal rainfall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Check weather conditions before visiting, as heavy rain can make the trail muddy and more challenging.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 3 days ago Barely Flowing

72 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Based on 86 years of record

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

USGS 14306500
4.8 miles from waterfall
Drainage: 334 sq mi
Altitude: 48 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge ALSEA RIVER NEAR TIDEWATER, OR (8 km away).

Moderate confidence
Roaring right now
80 cfs
→ Holding steady
100100100100100100100TodayTomorrowSunMonTueWedThu

Today

Roaring

91 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

86 cfs

8/10

Sun

Roaring

80 cfs

9/10

Mon

Roaring

80 cfs

8/10

Tue

Roaring

80 cfs

9/10

Wed

Roaring

86 cfs

6/10

Thu

Roaring

90 cfs

6/10

Best window: Sun — roaring flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).

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

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.

3-meter lidar measures about 62 feet of descent through Cascade Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 240 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 26 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 52 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northwest, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Cascade Falls near Yachats, Oregon, for comparison with the lidar view LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Cascade Falls near Yachats, Oregon, showing about 62 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northwest
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation
240 feet
Measured by 3-meter lidar
Drop at the falls
About 62 feet
Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces
Northwest
Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Cascade Falls is located approximately 10.8 miles from Yachats, Oregon. To reach the falls, visitors typically drive along Highway 101 and then take local forest roads. The exact route may vary, so it is recommended to use GPS coordinates (44.3193, -123.8554) for navigation.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available near the trailhead, but spaces may be limited depending on the season.

Elevation

233 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.319287° N, -123.855389° W

Land Management

Williams, Barney UNKE

Managed by UNK

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy, especially after rain. Bring insect repellent during warmer months. Check local weather conditions before visiting.

Where to Stay

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

Nearby Campground

Newport to Florence

2.2 miles away · 0 sites

The central section of the Siuslaw National Forest finds the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway (Highway 101) moving closer to the Pacific Ocean providing outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean and plenty of publicly owned beaches to explore.Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, located between Newport and Florence, offers the Forest visitor a chance to wander through old-growth Sitka Spruce, experience crashing surf, investigate tide pools, whale watch or take a guided hike.Check out a haunted lighthouse keeper’s

Book on Recreation.gov

Additional Information

Nearby Attractions

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Thor's Well, and the town of Yachats are all within a short drive.

Wildlife

The area is home to various bird species, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also spot banana slugs and other forest creatures.

Cities near Cascade Falls

Nearby Waterfalls

8.4 miles away
Oregon
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft

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