LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Kilchis Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainDifficulty
Drive Up
About Kilchis Falls
Kilchis Falls is a roadside waterfall on the Kilchis River Forest Road in the Tillamook State Forest, in the Kilchis River drainage northeast of Tillamook. It is reached by driving rather than hiking: a pullout with room for a few cars sits near the falls, and a shallow pool at the base draws visitors in summer. The surrounding state forest is actively logged, and area roads can close for logging at any time.
The Setting
Kilchis Falls sits at 1,332 feet within Forest Development Fund (Board Of Forestry), in the foothills of Oregon.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Kilchis Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
Trail Description
There is no formal trail; the falls are a short walk from a roadside pullout on the Kilchis River Forest Road.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Kilchis Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed in the Tillamook State Forest.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Kilchis Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal 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. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The trail can be slippery and muddy, especially after rain. Visitors should exercise caution and avoid hiking alone. Cell service is limited, so inform someone of your plans before heading out.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Nehalem River, 8.5 miles away, not on Kilchis Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
963 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 84 years of record
3.79 ft
Water depth at gauge
50°F
WarmVery comfortable
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year. 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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge NEHALEM RIVER NEAR FOSS, OR (14 km away).
Today
Roaring
1040 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
1090 cfs
8/10Thu
Roaring
1124 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
1246 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
1494 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
1560 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
1764 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, cloudy (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late November 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 Barnesdale hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Kilchis Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
Kilchis Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 53°F to 45°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 754 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 188 feet of descent through Kilchis Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 1,336 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 41 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 157 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,336 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 188 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
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 Highway 6 westbound, turn right onto Cedar Butte Road (signed for Keenig Creek Campground), keep straight at the four-way junction, and follow good gravel 3.6 miles, keeping right at the first three junctions. Go left at the fourth junction for 1.4 miles, keep left 0.6 miles to the Cedar Butte Trailhead, stay right 0.2 miles, keep left 0.8 miles to a saddle, then turn left and descend the switchbacking Kilchis River Forest Road 2.0 miles to the pullout. The falls can also be reached from Tillamook via Alderbrook Loop Road and the gravel, potholed Kilchis River Road.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Roadside pullout with room for a few cars. Do not block the narrow forest road, which carries logging traffic.
Elevation
1,332 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.605387° N, -123.651233° W
Land Management
Managed by SLB
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the trail can be uneven and muddy, especially after rain. Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no facilities nearby. A GPS device or offline map is recommended due to limited cell service in the area.
Where to Stay
2 Bed 2 Bath Vacation home in Rockaway Beach
The Tillamook Inn
Inn at Cannon Beach
Rockaway oceanview condo,Steps to the beach & Downtown,W&D, WiFi
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
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
Dovre Recreation Site
21.7 miles away · 11 sites
Overview Want to camp? Camping season is generally May-September, with Alder Glen and Elk Bend remaining open through the weekend following General Western Oregon Coast 2nd Season for elk. During months with reduced sunlight, potable water may be turned off. Be prepared to bring your own wash and drinking water. Reserve a site at one of our four campgrounds on recreation.gov or pay when you arrive for non-reserved campsites using the Recreation.gov Mobile App. You must download before you reach t
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include the Tillamook Forest Center and other hiking trails in the Tillamook State Forest.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of potential encounters with bears or cougars.
Cities near Kilchis Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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