North Fork Falls
Oregon • 9 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
The falls are on private timberland behind a gated, posted road. Get the landowner's permission before visiting.
Photo Credits (5)
About North Fork Falls
North Fork Falls, also called Waterhouse Falls, is a 9-foot segmented cascade on the North Fork Nehalem River northeast of Manzanita in Clatsop County, Oregon. It lies on private timberland about 1.5 miles upstream of the Highway 53 bridge over the North Fork Nehalem. The access road is gated and posted as private timber land, and no public trail is documented.
The Setting
North Fork Falls sits at 305 feet in the coastal lowlands of Oregon. The falls drop 9 feet.
Height: 9 feet
Trail & Hike Details
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 9 feet.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and elevation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at North Fork Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at North Fork Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall flow is strongest due to snowmelt. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warmer weather for hiking.
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 visitors should exercise caution near the waterfall edge. Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Nehalem River, 7.4 miles away, not on North Fork 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 (12 km away).
Today
Roaring
1040 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
1090 cfs
8/10Thu
Roaring
1124 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
1313 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
1534 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 Nehalem hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is North Fork Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
North Fork Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 266 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 9 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 300 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 339 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 314 feet in the 500 feet below it. 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
- 300 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 266 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
Elevation
305 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.810944° N, -123.749852° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Arrive early to secure parking, especially during weekends or holidays. Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no facilities nearby. Check weather conditions before your visit, as the trail may be slippery after rain.
Where to Stay
Hallmark Resort in Cannon Beach
Inn at Cannon Beach
Inn at the Prom Oceanfront
Ebb Tide Oceanfront 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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Additional Information
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks and other insects.
Cities near North Fork Falls
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