Elk Creek Falls
Oregon • 191 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Elk Creek Falls
Elk Creek Falls is a three-tier waterfall, about 191 feet in total, on Elk Creek in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, about 6 miles by road south of Powers. A short fork of Elk Creek Falls Trail #1151 follows the creek from Forest Road 33 to a viewpoint of the falls. The other fork climbs through old-growth forest to the Big Tree site, home to a giant Port Orford cedar.
The Setting
Elk Creek Falls sits at 499 feet within Siskiyou National Forest, in the coastal lowlands of Oregon. At 191 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Oregon.
Height: 191 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows Elk Creek Falls (#1151), a 0.5-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is moderately developed (Class 2).
USFS Trail
ELK CREEK FALLS #1151
Trail Class
Moderately Developed
Surface
USFS Segment
0.10 miTrail Description
From the trailhead on Forest Road 33, the trail splits almost at once. The left fork follows Elk Creek a short distance to the falls viewpoint, about half a mile round trip. The right fork, Big Tree Trail #1150, climbs through old-growth to the Big Tree picnic area; the full out-and-back to the Big Tree is about 2.7 miles with 815 feet of gain.
What to Expect
The falls plunge 191 feet. Dogs are welcome.
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 Elk Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on national forest trails; the Forest Service posts no trail-specific rule here, so keep them under control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Elk Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is most impressive during these seasons due to higher water flow.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Siskiyou National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Exercise caution near the waterfall as rocks can be slippery. Be aware of changing weather conditions, and avoid the trail during heavy rain or snow.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on South Fork Coquille River, 6 miles away, not on Elk Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
64 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 107 years of record
0.77 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SOUTH FORK COQUILLE RIVER AT POWERS, OR (10 km away).
Today
Roaring
68 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Roaring
72 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
83 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
85 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
79 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
89 cfs
6/10Tue
Roaring
123 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late December to late January, peaking in January.
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 Powers hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Elk Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Elk Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 70°F to 56°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 80 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.
Along the line through the falls, the bare ground drops about 379 feet, most of it in one sheer step, the signature of a plunge waterfall. The falls are listed at 191 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 482 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 341 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 57 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northwest, 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
- 482 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 379 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- 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 northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From the stop sign at 4th Avenue in Powers, head toward China Flat, Illahe and Agness on County Road 219, which becomes Forest Road 33. Drive 5.5 miles to the junction with Forest Road 3358, keep right, cross the Elk Creek bridge 0.7 miles farther, and pull off on the left at the trailhead.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the small roadside trailhead on Forest Road 33. The Forest Service lists no restrooms or drinking water at the site.
Elevation
499 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.815612° N, -124.011542° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit during the spring or early summer when water flow is at its peak. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy, especially after rain. Arrive early to secure parking, especially on weekends.
Where to Stay
Hike to the Coast! Log Cabin on 5 Acres in Bandon
Forested Gold Beach House with Panoramic Ocean Views
Outdoor Adventure Tranquil Creekside Retreat
Charming Grants Pass Cottage w/ Patio & Gas Grill!
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
BALD KNOB LOOKOUT
8.4 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Bald Knob Lookout is perched atop Bald Knob at an elevation of 3,630 feet in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The lookout offers visitors a unique lodging experience and panoramic views of the surrounding area. Originally developed in 1931 as a lookout site, Bald Knob served as an Aircraft Warning Service (AWS) observation station between 1942 and 1944. The Forest Service removed and replaced the original with the present flat top structure in 1963. The lookout tower is availabl
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
The Big Tree, a giant Port Orford cedar, is on the connecting trail. Forest Road 33 continues south toward Agness and the Rogue River.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors may also spot fish in the creek.
Cities near Elk Creek Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Elk Creek Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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