Are there fees or permits required for Honey Creek Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Honey Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Honey Creek Falls.

Aerial view of the ground around Honey Creek Falls near Black Butte Ranch, Oregon

Aerial view · USGS

Nearby gauge (M F Tumalo Creek) · 1 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Honey Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Honey Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Honey Creek Falls. Forest Service rules require dogs to be on a leash of 6 feet or less in developed sites such as trailheads; no trail-specific rule is posted.

Oregon

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

3D terrain

Willamette National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Before you go

The falls are in the Three Sisters Wilderness, where a permit is required June 15 to October 15: a free self-issue permit for day use, or a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit for overnight trips.

About Honey Creek Falls

Honey Creek Falls is a little-documented waterfall on Honey Creek in the Separation Creek drainage of the Three Sisters Wilderness, Willamette National Forest, at about 4,000 feet on the west side of the Three Sisters. The Northwest Waterfall Survey confirms it exists but has no height, photos or route. Much of this area burned in the 2017 Separation Fire, and trails here are unmaintained.

The Setting

Honey Creek Falls sits at 3,809 feet within Willamette National Forest, in the mountains of Oregon.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Proxy Falls (226 ft) lies 5.4 miles to the northwest.

Proxy Falls

Trail & Hike Details

USFS Trail

LOUISE CREEK #3520

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

13.47 mi

Trail Description

No maintained trail to the falls is documented. The Louise Creek Trail #3520 runs through this part of the wilderness past Honey Lake, but it is unmaintained inside the 2017 burn, with faint tread and many downed trees that call for map, GPS and some cross-country travel.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for those with limited mobility due to uneven terrain and elevation gain.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Honey Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Forest Service rules require dogs to be on a leash of 6 feet or less in developed sites such as trailheads; no trail-specific rule is posted.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Honey Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

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

Seasonal Access

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

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 37°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

The trail may be slippery after rain, and visitors should exercise caution near the waterfall. Cell service may be limited, so inform someone of your plans before heading out.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Strong

These readings come from the USGS gauge on M F Tumalo Creek, 13.4 miles away, not on Honey Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

1 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

1 1 1 2

Based on 9 years of record

4.46 ft

Water depth at gauge

37°F

Dangerously cold

Risk of cold shock

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 dangerously cold at 37 degrees F, avoid prolonged contact.

About This Gauge

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

M F TUMALO CREEK ABV PROWELL SPRINGS, NR BEND, OR

USGS 14070615

13.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 2 sq mi

Altitude: 6,329 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge M F TUMALO CREEK ABV PROWELL SPRINGS, NR BEND, OR (22 km away).

Moderate confidence

Roaring right now

1 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

1 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

1 cfs

8/10

Thu

Roaring

1 cfs

8/10

Fri

Roaring

1 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

1 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

1 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

1 cfs

6/10

Best window: Today — roaring flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late May to early August, 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 Black Butte Ranch hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Honey Creek Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Honey Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 40°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 1 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 Around Honey Creek 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.

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

Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

The Louise Creek Trail starts at the Separation Lake Trailhead: from McKenzie Bridge, drive east 3 miles on Highway 126, turn onto Forest Road 2643 (Foley Ridge Road) and follow it 10 miles, then turn right on Forest Road 480 to the loop at its end. No source describes a route from there to the falls.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Elevation

3,809 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.087340° N, -121.894486° W

Land Management

Willamette National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Carry a map and GPS and plan for cross-country travel. The McKenzie River Ranger Station (541-822-3381) can give current trail and fire-closure conditions.

Where to Stay

Cabin with Private Hot Tub Near the Deschutes River - Free SHARC access

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

Alder Springs Campground

6.3 miles away · 0 sites

This small, rustic site is right on the side of the historic McKenzie Pass Highway. Surrounded by towering Douglas fir trees, this is a perfect spot to be on a warm day.Access to Linton Lake Trailhead in the Three Sisters Wilderness is immediately across the highway from the campground.

Book on Recreation.gov