Are there fees or permits required for Grotto Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Grotto Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Grotto Falls.

Nearby gauge (Steamboat Creek) · 24 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Grotto Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Grotto Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Grotto Falls. Dogs are allowed on national forest trails; in developed recreation sites such as trailheads they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Oregon • 78 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

3D terrain

Also For 3 other waterfalls also named Grotto Falls, see below

Umpqua National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

curtis4x5 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

docoverachiever CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

curtis4x5 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

BLM Oregon & Washington CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

100 ft

About Grotto Falls

Grotto Falls drops about 78 feet over a deeply undercut, nearly semicircular cliff on a branch of Emile Creek in the Umpqua National Forest, east of Glide off Little River Road. It is named for the dark recess the falls pour into. A short trail of about a third of a mile climbs a few switchbacks from the trailhead to the falls.

The Setting

Grotto Falls sits at 3,150 feet within Umpqua National Forest, in the mountains of Oregon. The falls drop 78 feet.

Height: 78 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Hemlock Falls (90 ft) lies 5.2 miles to the east. Also nearby: Wolf Creek Falls (75 ft, 6.7 mi) and Yakso Falls (70 ft, 5.6 mi).

Hemlock Falls Wolf Creek Falls Yakso Falls

Trail & Hike Details

0.6 mi distance 100 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Grotto Falls (#1503), a 0.6-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 100 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is highly developed (Class 4).

USFS Trail

GROTTO FALLS #1503

Trail Class

Highly Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

0.32 mi

Trail Description

From the trailhead just past the concrete bridge over Emile Creek, the trail climbs a few switchbacks through forest and reaches the falls in about a third of a mile, roughly 0.6 to 0.7 miles round trip.

What to Expect

The falls cascade 78 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 Grotto Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on national forest trails; in developed recreation sites such as trailheads they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Grotto Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to seasonal rainfall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Umpqua National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 50°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

The area around the waterfall can be slippery, so exercise caution. Be aware of changing weather conditions, as rain can make the trail more hazardous. Cell service may be limited in the area.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Steamboat Creek, 8.3 miles away, not on Grotto Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

24 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

36 47 176 492

Based on 70 years of record

-0.06 ft

Water depth at gauge

50°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle. Water temperature is very cold at 50 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.

About This Gauge

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

STEAMBOAT CREEK NEAR GLIDE, OR

USGS 14316700

8.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 227 sq mi

Altitude: 1,129 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge STEAMBOAT CREEK NEAR GLIDE, OR (13 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

24 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

24 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

24 cfs

5/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

25 cfs

5/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

30 cfs

3/10

Mon

Low

34 cfs

4/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

39 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

39 cfs

5/10

Best window: Tomorrow — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to mid April, 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 Glide hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain Around Grotto Falls

High-resolution lidar hasn't been flown here yet, so this is the aerial view of the ground around the falls. Open the 3D view to tilt and spin the landscape.

Aerial view of the ground around Grotto Falls near Glide, Oregon

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

Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

From Roseburg, take Highway 138 east to Glide and turn south on Little River Road. Drive about 16 miles to Road 2703 and turn left, go 4.4 miles to Road 2703-150 (signed for Grotto Falls) and turn left, then continue 2.2 miles to the trailhead just past the concrete bridge over Emile Creek. The trailhead sign does not say Grotto Falls.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is a small area at the trailhead on Road 2703-150.

Elevation

3,150 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.250446° N, -122.821175° W

Land Management

Umpqua National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear shoes with good grip, since the rock around the base of the falls stays wet. Bring a map, because the final turn and trailhead are not well signed.

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For this easy 0.6 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

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

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

Nearby Campground

Susan Creek Campground

4.8 miles away · 29 sites

Reservable

Overview Susan Creek Campground is well known for its beautiful setting along the emerald-green waters of the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River. Nestled under the canopy of a mature forest, the campsites are surrounded by trees up to seven feet in diameter. It is a short drive from the Umpqua National Forest, which boasts incredible glacial-cut mountain slopes across 984,602 acres of forest. The campground features 29 campsites, all sites are reservation only until further notice.Reservations ca

Book on Recreation.gov