Before you go
The falls are in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Fill out the free self-issue wilderness permit at the trailhead kiosk.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Slide Falls
Slide Falls is a horsetail waterfall on Slide Creek, roughly 80 feet tall by lidar estimate, at about 6,850 feet in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness of the Malheur National Forest, south of Prairie City. It sits below Slide Lake, and the trail to the lake passes a viewpoint above a waterfall on Slide Creek. This is high country that is usually snow-free only from July through September.
The Setting
Slide Falls sits at 6,808 feet within Malheur National Forest, in the high mountains of Oregon. The falls drop 80 feet.
Height: 80 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The usual route starts at the Strawberry Basin Trailhead and follows Strawberry Basin Trail #375, then Slide Basin Trail #372, toward Slide Lake. Oregon Hikers lists the full trip to the lake at 9.3 miles round trip with 1,610 feet of gain, rated moderate; the falls viewpoint comes before the lake, but no source gives its exact distance. The hiker route has narrow, exposed sections and washouts, and the horse route is the safer option.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 80 feet.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Slide Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Slide Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
July through September, when the trail is mostly free of snow. Flow is strongest early in that window from snowmelt.
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 Malheur National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
The trail can be slippery, especially after rain. Wear appropriate footwear and stay on marked paths. Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge JOHN DAY R AT BLUE MTN HOT SPGS NR PRAIRIE CITY,OR (10 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
25 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
25 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
24 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
27 cfs
3/10Sat
Low
29 cfs
4/10Sun
Low
29 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
29 cfs
4/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to late June, peaking in May.
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 Prairie City hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Slide Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Slide Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°F to 36°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 25 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 laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 291 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 80 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 6,777 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 197 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 126 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 6,777 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 291 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Prairie City on Highway 26, turn on Bridge Street and follow signs for Strawberry Lake onto County Road 60, which becomes Forest Road 6001. Drive about 11 miles to the Strawberry Basin Trailhead at the end of the road. The road turns from pavement to gravel and gets rougher, but is passable for passenger cars.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Strawberry Basin Trailhead beside the campground. A trailhead parking pass is required, and a free self-issue wilderness permit is available at the kiosk.
Elevation
6,808 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.296859° N, -118.660282° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes due to uneven terrain. Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no facilities nearby. Check weather conditions before your visit, as rain can make the trail slippery.
This trail sits at 6,808 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 27% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.
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Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Where to Stay
John Day Motel
Best Western John Day Inn
Dreamers Lodge
John Day Lakehouse w/ a Great Outdoor Space!
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
Big Creek Campground
7.9 miles away · 15 sites
Overview Big Creek Campground sits at the edge of beautiful Logan Valley along Big Creek and is a great starting point for multiple recreation opportunities, including mountain biking, hiking, stream fishing, hunting and bird watching and exploring the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. In the spring and early summer the area is exceptional for wildflower viewing.Recreation Big Creek Campground offers a central base for all your recreation activities. From casting a line in Big Creek to biking nearb
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Nearby Attractions
Strawberry Lake and Slide Lake are on the same trail system in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be respectful of the natural habitat.
Cities near Slide Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Slide Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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