Middle Creek Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
No developed trail or confirmed public access is documented for this waterfall, and it may be on private property. Respect any posted or no-trespassing signs.
Photo Credits (5)
About Middle Creek Falls
Middle Creek Falls is an unofficially named waterfall of about 20 feet on Middle Creek in the Coquille River watershed east of Coquille in Coos County, Oregon. No developed trail, viewpoint or confirmed public access route to the falls is documented, and the Northwest Waterfall Survey notes it may be on private property.
The Setting
Middle Creek Falls sits at 164 feet within Coos Bay Umpqua Field Office, in the coastal lowlands of Oregon.
Trail & Hike Details
Accessibility
The trail is not likely to be wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and elevation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Middle Creek Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Middle Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, 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. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The trail may be slippery after rain, and the area around the falls can be hazardous due to wet rocks. Visitors should exercise caution and stay on marked trails.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on North Fork Coquille River, 11.3 miles away, not on Middle Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
45 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 25 years of record
4.51 ft
Water depth at gauge
54°F
ColdBracing — limit time in water
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 a bracing 54 degrees F, limit your time in the water.
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 N FK COQUILLE R NR MYRTLE POINT, OR (18 km away).
Today
Roaring
44 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Roaring
54 cfs
8/10Fri
Roaring
60 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
84 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
82 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
84 cfs
6/10Tue
Roaring
78 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, patchy fog then mostly cloudy (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid January to late February, 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 Coquille hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Middle Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Middle Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 71°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
- 41 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.
The bare-earth surface loses about 44 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The ground at the falls is roughly 157 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 2 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 54 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing south, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 157 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 44 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The Northwest Waterfall Survey places the falls beside Middle Creek Road east of McKinley, about two and a half miles upstream of where USGS maps label them. No trailhead or parking area is documented.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
164 feet above sea level
Coordinates
43.215111° N, -124.010934° W
Land Management
Managed by BLM
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Arrive early to avoid crowds and ensure parking availability. Check weather conditions before your visit, as the trail may become muddy or slippery after rain.
Where to Stay
Plainview Motel
Mid-century home with floor-to-ceiling windows & great views
Edgewater Inn and Suites, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Itty Bitty Inn
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
HORSFALL SAND CAMPING
19.6 miles away · 36 sites
Overview The Horsfall Sand Camping Area is an outstanding destination for off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Sites are located directly on the sand at the southern end of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. From here, adventure seekers can experience the thrill of riding through vast open dunes or meandering through designated sand routes surrounded by coastal forest. The tops of the dunes provide prime views of the Pacific Coast to the west and the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range to the ea
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Wildlife
The area is home to typical Oregon forest wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of potential encounters with bears or other larger animals.
Cities near Middle Creek Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Middle Creek Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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