Are there fees or permits required for Duwee Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Duwee Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Duwee Falls.

Nearby gauge (Scott Creek) · 2 ft³/s · Higher than usual

Duwee Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Duwee Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Duwee Falls. Pets aren't allowed on Crater Lake trails except Lady of the Woods, Godfrey Glen, Annie Spur, Grayback Drive and the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be leashed.

Oregon • Crater Lake National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Crater Lake National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (2)

National Park Service Public Domain · National Park Service

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Duwee Falls

Duwee Falls is a steep, tiered waterfall on Munson Creek that plunges into a gaping canyon within Crater Lake National Park. The falls are notable for a main plunge of about 100 feet (30 m), the highest single-drop plunge in the park, and sit where Munson Creek — a tributary of the Klamath River — tumbles through rugged canyon terrain. The site is managed by the National Park Service and feels distinctly wild and dramatic compared with many roadside cascades. For overnight stays, Crater Lake Lodge campground lies about 8.9 km away, making Duwee Falls a convenient day hike or a scenic stop on a longer Crater Lake itinerary.

The Setting

Duwee Falls sits at 5,932 feet within Crater Lake National Park, in the high mountains of Oregon.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Annie Falls (53 ft) lies 3.7 miles to the southeast.

Annie Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The route is inside Crater Lake National Park and managed by the National Park Service; it leads toward viewpoints overlooking Munson Creek’s steep, tiered 100-foot plunge into the canyon. No USFS trail name/number or USFS surface/grade/class data was provided for this route in the supplied records.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a small but charming waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. The area is peaceful and offers a great opportunity for photography or a quick stop while exploring the Columbia River Gorge.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Duwee Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets aren't allowed on Crater Lake trails except Lady of the Woods, Godfrey Glen, Annie Spur, Grayback Drive and the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be leashed.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Duwee Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall flow is typically strongest due to seasonal rainfall and snowmelt.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Crater Lake National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 40°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

Be cautious of traffic when parking or walking along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The area may be slippery during wet conditions, so wear appropriate footwear.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Strong

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Scott Creek, 14 miles away, not on Duwee Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

2 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Higher than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

20.52 ft

Water depth at gauge

40°F

Warm

Very comfortable

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

The water is flowing higher than usual for this time of year. Water temperature is dangerously cold at 40 degrees F, avoid prolonged contact.

About This Gauge

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

SCOTT CREEK BLW SAND CREEK CANAL NR CHINCHALO, OR

USGS 11493100

14 miles from waterfall

Altitude: 4,587 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SCOTT CREEK BLW SAND CREEK CANAL NR CHINCHALO, OR (23 km away).

Moderate confidence

Strong right now

2 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Strong

2 cfs

7/10

Tomorrow

Strong

2 cfs

7/10

Tue

Strong

2 cfs

7/10

Wed

Strong

2 cfs

7/10

Thu

Strong

2 cfs

7/10

Fri

Strong

2 cfs

10/10

Sat

Strong

2 cfs

7/10

Best window: Fri — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).

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

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

Is Duwee Falls Frozen?

Updated about 19 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately 4 more freezing days forecast

Duwee Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 40°F to 29°F. 4 freezing days are forecast, so ice may start to form.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 4 of the next 7
Flow: 2 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 ground through the falls loses about 197 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 5,929 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 68 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 111 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Duwee Falls near Fort Klamath, Oregon, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Duwee Falls near Fort Klamath, Oregon, showing about 197 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 5,929 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 197 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Duwee Falls is located along the Historic Columbia River Highway, near the town of Cascade Locks, Oregon. It is easily accessible by car and is situated close to other notable waterfalls in the area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Limited parking is available along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Visitors should be cautious as parking may be roadside and can fill up quickly during peak seasons.

Elevation

5,932 feet above sea level

Coordinates

42.864615° N, -122.147246° W

Land Management

Crater Lake National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and secure parking. Be cautious of traffic along the Historic Columbia River Highway when parking or walking near the road.

This trail sits at 5,932 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 24% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen

UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.

Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)

Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.

Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets

You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.

ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses

High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.

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

Crater Lake Lodge

5.5 miles away · 0 sites

The Crater Lake Lodge, built in 1915 and a member of Historic Hotels of America® since 2012 was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America. A grand northwest lodge, the historic 71-guestroom Crater Lake Lodge originally opened in 1915 on the edge of one of the country's crown jewels-Crater Lake. No place else

Book on Recreation.gov