Are there fees or permits required for Hunter Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Hunter Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Hunter Falls.

Nearby gauge (East Fork Wallowa River) · 7 ft³/s · About average

Hunter Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Hunter Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Hunter Falls.

Oregon

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Wallowa National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

Hollywata CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

BLM Oregon & Washington CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.8 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

240 ft

About Hunter Falls

Hunter Falls is a narrow, deep cataract beside the Lostine River Road in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, near the Lostine Guard Station about 12 miles south of Lostine. A short, steep and lightly maintained path climbs beside the falls from the road.

The Setting

Hunter Falls sits at 5,141 feet within Wallowa National Forest, in the high mountains of Oregon.

Trail & Hike Details

0.8 mi distance 240 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy 0.8-mile out-and-back trail gains 240 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

WTA lists a 0.8-mile round trip with about 240 feet of gain. The path leaves the Lostine River Road just north of the creek crossing and climbs quickly, with glimpses of the falls along the way; it fades above the falls and sees little maintenance.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a peaceful hike through a forested area leading to a charming waterfall. The area around the falls may be rocky and slippery, so caution is advised.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Hunter Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Hunter Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the waterfall is likely to have the most water flow during these seasons.

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 Wallowa National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

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

The trail may be slippery, especially after rain. Watch for loose rocks and uneven ground. Cell service may be limited in the area, so plan accordingly.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on East Fork Wallowa River, 10.3 miles away, not on Hunter Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

7 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

2 3 8 9

Based on 53 years of record

4.60 ft

Water depth at gauge

40°F

Warm

Very comfortable

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average 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.

EAST FORK WALLOWA RIVER NEAR JOSEPH, OR

USGS 13325000

10.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 10 sq mi

Altitude: 4,540 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge EAST FORK WALLOWA RIVER NEAR JOSEPH, OR (17 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

7 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Tue

Low

8 cfs

4/10

Wed

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Thu

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Fri

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Sat

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Best window: Today — low flow, rain and snow (trip score 4/10).

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

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

Is Hunter Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately 2 more freezing days forecast

Hunter Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 39°F. 2 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: 2 of the next 7
Flow: 6 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.

1-meter lidar measures about 167 feet of descent through Hunter Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 5,175 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 174 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 118 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Hunter Falls near Joseph, Oregon, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Hunter Falls near Joseph, Oregon, showing about 167 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing west

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 5,175 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 167 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: West; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From Enterprise, drive Highway 82 northwest to Lostine, then go 11.8 miles south on the Lostine River Road; the national forest begins about 7 miles in. The trail starts beside the road, across the creek from the Lostine Guard Station.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

WTA suggests parking at the Lostine Guard Station on the right side of the road, about 100 yards south of the trailhead and across the creek.

Elevation

5,141 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.333693° N, -117.404057° W

Land Management

Wallowa National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Check trail conditions before visiting, especially during rainy seasons, as the trail may become muddy or slippery.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

For this easy 0.8 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

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Nearby Campground

Shady Campground

5.4 miles away · 0 sites

Shady Campground is a small rustic campground located along the Wild and Scenic Lostine River. Nestled in a 'shady' cool fir and pine tree forest, the campground is popular during the summer for local and regional campers visiting the Lostine Canyon and Eagle Cap Wilderness. This campground is adjacent to the Maxwell Trailhead which climbs into the wilderness.

Book on Recreation.gov