Are there fees or permits required for South Fork Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit South Fork Falls.

Is swimming allowed at South Fork Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at South Fork Falls.

South Fork Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at South Fork Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at South Fork Falls.

Oregon • 55 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 2 other waterfalls also named South Fork Falls, see below

Prineville Central Oregon Field Office PUB · Bureau of Land Management

Photo Credits (5)

Ian Sane CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Twelvizm CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

BLM Oregon & Washington CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

About South Fork Falls

South Fork Falls, also known as Izee Falls, is a drop on the South Fork John Day River in Grant County, Oregon, roughly 20 miles south of Dayville. It is near South Fork John Day Road, a gravel BLM back country byway that follows the river, in an area managed by the BLM Prineville District. No developed trail or viewpoint is documented.

The Setting

South Fork Falls sits at 3,566 feet within Prineville Central Oregon Field Office, in the mountains of Oregon. The falls drop 55 feet.

Height: 55 feet

Trail & Hike Details

What to Expect

The falls drop 55 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and natural obstacles.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at South Fork Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at South Fork Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall flow is typically strongest due to snowmelt and rainfall.

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 to avoid accidents. Cell phone reception may be limited in the area.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Dayville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is South Fork Falls Frozen?

Updated about 6 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

South Fork Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 28°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: no gauge

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 125 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 55 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 3,566 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 174 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 73 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around South Fork Falls near Dayville, Oregon, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around South Fork Falls near Dayville, Oregon, showing about 125 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 3,566 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 125 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northwest; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From Dayville, turn south on South Fork Road, which is the start of the South Fork John Day River Back Country Byway, a 50-mile gravel road along the river. BLM describes it as suitable for most passenger vehicles, with some single-lane stretches. The falls are mapped near the road roughly 20 miles south of Dayville.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Elevation

3,566 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.184713° N, -119.524607° W

Land Management

Prineville Central Oregon Field Office PUB

Managed by BLM

Visitor Tips & Gear

There are no developed recreation facilities along the byway, but dispersed camping is allowed with a 14-day stay limit. Some private ranch land lies along the river, so respect property boundaries.

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

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

DEER CREEK GUARD STATION CABIN

10 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Deer Creek Guard Station is located approximately 31 miles from the town of John Day, in central Oregon. It is in a beautiful, quiet location, off the beaten path. From sunup to sundown, the cabin affords opportunities for adventure in exploring, viewing wildlife, or just relaxing and enjoying the wonders of nature all around. The cabin is larger than some, is furnished and offers many comforts. It can be accessed by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and s

Book on Recreation.gov