Are there fees or permits required for Drift Creek Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Drift Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Drift Creek Falls.

Nearby gauge (North Santiam River) · 2,340 ft³/s · About average

Drift Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Drift Creek Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Drift Creek Falls.

Oregon • 40 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

No public access

Drift Creek Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.

This waterfall is on private land with no known public access. Do not trespass; this is not the Drift Creek Falls suspension-bridge hike near Lincoln City.

Photo Credits (5)

Nickay3111 CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

aniggemyer1 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

bato93 CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Nickay3111 CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Attu012 CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

About Drift Creek Falls

Height: 40 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Double Falls (178 ft) lies 3.1 miles to the east. Also nearby: South Falls (177 ft, 2.7 mi) and Lower South Falls (93 ft, 2.5 mi).

Double Falls South Falls Lower South Falls

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Drift Creek Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Drift Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Seasonal Access

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

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on North Santiam River, 8.7 miles away, not on Drift Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

2,340 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1.2k 2.2k 5.3k 7.7k

Based on 111 years of record

4.03 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

NORTH SANTIAM RIVER AT MEHAMA, OR

USGS 14183000

8.7 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 654 sq mi

Altitude: 606 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge NORTH SANTIAM RIVER AT MEHAMA, OR (14 km away).

Moderate confidence

Roaring right now

2340 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

2527 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

2475 cfs

8/10

Thu

Roaring

2380 cfs

8/10

Fri

Roaring

2498 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

2838 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

2756 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

2943 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid November to late January, peaking in November.

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

Is Drift Creek Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid

Drift Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 47°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 1650 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

Elevation

988 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.899011° N, -122.707310° W

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

Aquila Vista Recreation Site

12 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Aquila Vista is closed until further notice to remove wildfire burned danger trees. Aquila Vista is available for overnight group camping for groups up to 30 people and 20 vehicles. The season, when it reopens, will be mid-May through mid-October. The site is located in the heart of the forest next to a large beaver pond. There is plenty of hiking and natural beauty to see at Aquila Vista including a small waterfall. Amenities include vault toilet, two group picnic shelters with multiple

Book on Recreation.gov