Are there fees or permits required for Spirit Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Spirit Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Spirit Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Spirit Falls.

Nearby gauge (Middle Fork Willamette River) · 790 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Spirit Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Spirit Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Spirit Falls. Dogs are allowed on Umpqua National Forest trails; keep them leashed at trailheads and developed sites and under control on the trail.

Oregon • 40 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Spirit Falls, see below

Umpqua National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (4)

jd_hiker CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Jaykhuang CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Ian Sane CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Rolling Stone2009 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

130 ft

About Spirit Falls

Spirit Falls is a 40-foot drop on Alex Creek over a moss-covered basalt face into a shaded amphitheater, in the Layng Creek drainage of the Umpqua National Forest east of Cottage Grove, Oregon. A short, well-maintained trail of about 0.6 miles round trip leads to the base, where there is a picnic table. It pairs with nearby Moon Falls and Pinard Falls off the same forest roads.

The Setting

Spirit Falls sits at 1,955 feet within Umpqua National Forest, in the hills of Oregon. The falls drop 40 feet.

Height: 40 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Pinard Falls (105 ft) lies 2.0 miles to the southeast. Also nearby: Upper Trestle Creek Falls (60 ft, 5.5 mi) and Lower Trestle Creek Falls (60 ft, 5.8 mi).

Pinard Falls Upper Trestle Creek Falls Lower Trestle Creek Falls

Trail & Hike Details

0.6 mi distance 130 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Spirit Falls (#1413), a 0.6-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 130 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is highly developed (Class 4).

USFS Trail

SPIRIT FALLS #1413

Trail Class

Highly Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

0.20 mi

Trail Description

The Spirit Falls Trail (USFS #1413) is about 0.6 miles round trip with 130 feet of elevation gain. It descends gently through forest to the base of the falls and is suitable for families. Flow drops off by late summer.

What to Expect

The falls drop 40 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Spirit Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Umpqua National Forest trails; keep them leashed at trailheads and developed sites and under control on the trail.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Spirit Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Winter and spring have the strongest flow; the falls shrink by late summer and early fall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Umpqua National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Rocks near the base are slippery when wet. Winter storms can drop trees across the trail and roads.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 11 minutes ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Middle Fork Willamette River, 6.3 miles away, not on Spirit Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

790 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

852 1.1k 2.8k 4.1k

Based on 104 years of record

2.06 ft

Water depth at gauge

51°F

Warm

Very comfortable

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 51 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.

MF WILLAMETTE RIVER BLW N FORK, NR OAKRIDGE, OR.

USGS 14148000

6.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 924 sq mi

Altitude: 935 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge MF WILLAMETTE RIVER BLW N FORK, NR OAKRIDGE, OR. (10 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

790 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

790 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

746 cfs

8/10

Fri

Strong

853 cfs

8/10

Sat

Strong

934 cfs

8/10

Sun

Strong

997 cfs

8/10

Mon

Strong

1105 cfs

8/10

Tue

Strong

1145 cfs

8/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to late May, 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 Westfir hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Spirit Falls Frozen?

Updated about 5 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded strong flow slows freezing

Spirit Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 68°F to 52°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 801 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 Around Spirit Falls

High-resolution lidar hasn't been flown here yet, so this is the aerial view of the ground around the falls. Open the 3D view to tilt and spin the landscape.

Aerial view of the ground around Spirit Falls near Westfir, Oregon

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

Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

From I-5 at Cottage Grove (Exit 174), head east on Row River Road about 4 miles and continue onto Shoreview Drive past Dorena Lake. About 18.5 miles from I-5, turn left onto Forest Road 17 (Layng Creek Road) and follow it 8.7 miles, then turn right onto Road 1790. The trailhead is a short way up Road 1790 on the right, marked by a small hiking sign.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

A small dirt lot at the trailhead holds 3 to 4 cars. No parking fee. There are no restrooms at the trailhead; a vault toilet is about 0.25 miles away.

Elevation

1,955 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.730438° N, -122.641550° W

Land Management

Umpqua National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

The trail is in the Layng Creek Municipal Watershed, which supplies Cottage Grove, so overnight camping is not allowed. Combine it with Moon Falls and Pinard Falls for about 2.8 miles and 600 feet of gain in total.

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For this easy 0.6 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

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

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Nearby Campground

RUJADA DAY USE PICNIC AREA

5.3 miles away · 2 sites

Reservable

Overview Rujada Day Use Picnic Area is set along the banks of Layng Creek, with a large, open grassy area amidst a scattering of Douglas fir. Rujada is a perfect setting for family reunions, parties or group getaways.Recreation In addition to being a prime location for hiking and biking in summer and early fall. The large grassy field is perfect for group activities or sports, and a playground and horseshoe pit are also provided on-site. Hikers will enjoy a moderately challenging hike on Swordfer

Book on Recreation.gov