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About Deep Creek Falls
Deep Creek Falls is a 25-foot drop on Deep Creek where it cuts through a wall of columnar basalt beside Oregon Route 140, about 2.75 miles west of Adel in Lake County. It is on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Lakeview District, flows year-round, and spreads 60 to 65 feet wide at higher flows. The falls are a natural barrier to fish: the Warner sucker is found only below them.
The Setting
Deep Creek Falls sits at 4,865 feet within Lakeview District Lakeview Field Office, in the mountains of Oregon. The falls drop 25 feet.
Height: 25 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Deep Creek Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
Trail Description
There is no formal trail. The falls are visible from Oregon Route 140, and short unmarked paths lead from highway pullouts down to the creek and the base of the falls.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 25 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Deep Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on BLM public land; keep them under control near the highway.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Deep Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall is usually at its fullest due to snowmelt and seasonal rains.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Check weather conditions before your visit, as the trail can become muddy or icy. Cell service may be limited in the area.
Know when to go.
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Is Deep Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated 34 minutes agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Deep Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 49°F to 33°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
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 ground through the falls loses about 153 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 25 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 4,869 feet above sea level.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 88 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 136 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing northeast, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 4,869 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 153 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Drive Oregon Route 140 east from Lakeview toward Adel. The falls are next to the highway about 2.75 miles west of Adel, where the road follows Deep Creek through its canyon.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is no developed lot. Use a safe roadside pullout off Oregon Route 140 and stay well clear of traffic.
Elevation
4,865 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.174054° N, -119.949392° W
Land Management
Managed by BLM
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes as the trail can be uneven in places. Bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months. Check trail conditions ahead of time, particularly in winter or after heavy rains.
Where to Stay
Oregon Trail Inn and Suites
Best Western Skyline Motor Lodge
Interstate 8 Motel
Fremont Inn
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
DRAKE PEAK LOOKOUT
13.8 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Located on the crest of the Warner Mountain Range at an elevation of 8,222 feet, Drake Peak Lookout hugs the wind-swept land surrounding it, offering unparalleled views into Oregon, California and Nevada. The lookout was built in 1948 and has served as a fire detection site for the surrounding area. Historically, Forest Service personnel lived long seasons in the cabin, scanning the region for lightning, flames, curls of smoke or any other indicator of possible forest fires. At one time,
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
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Hallinan Spring
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Moss Ranch Springs
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Moss Ranch Spring
Moss Ranch Spring flows at 72°F—approximately 22 degrees above the local air temperature—requiring a 125-meter walk from the ne...
Fisher Hot Springs
Fisher Hot Springs near Lakeview flows at 154°F on Bureau of Land Management public lands at 4,586 feet elevation, emerging 104...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Deep Creek Falls, Oregon on SoakingSprings.
Explore Oregon springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
The Oregon Outback Scenic Bikeway follows Route 140 past the falls. Lakeview, to the west, is the nearest full-service town.
Wildlife
The cliffs around the falls provide habitat for cliff swallows, falcons and eagles. Native redband trout live in Deep Creek above and below the falls, while the Warner sucker is found only below them.
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