Stein Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
3D terrainBefore you go
No maintained trail reaches this waterfall. Access requires fording the Salmon River (usually possible only in August and September) and a steep off-trail gully descent.
Photo Credits (2)
Difficulty
Hard
About Stein Falls
Stein Falls is a tiered waterfall on the Salmon River in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness of Mt. Hood National Forest, about a mile upstream of Split Falls. There is no maintained trail to the falls; the approach from the Linney Creek Trailhead requires fording the Salmon River and a steep off-trail descent into the canyon.
The Setting
Stein Falls sits at 2,438 feet within Mt. Hood National Forest, in the hills of Oregon.
Trail & Hike Details
USFS Trail
LINNEY CREEK #499
Trail Class
Moderately Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.47 miTrail Description
A 2011 Oregon Hikers trip report describes the route: a few minutes on the Linney Creek Trail #499 to the Salmon River near the Linney Creek confluence, a ford that was about 4 feet deep at high water, a short walk downstream to the cliff edge above the falls, then a steep, crumbly gully descent of about 350 feet to a viewpoint. Oregon Hikers says the ford is usually possible only in August and September.
What to Expect
Expect a remote, rugged canyon with no facilities and no maintained path to the falls. A further tier of 25 feet or more sits above the main falls.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Stein Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Stein Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Late summer, when the Salmon River is usually low enough to ford.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Mt. Hood National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
The Salmon River ford is dangerous at high water, and the descent into the canyon is on steep, loose ground with no trail. Oregon Hikers calls a scramble trail to one viewpoint in this canyon dangerous.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Oak Grove Fork, 8.2 miles away, not on Stein Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
86 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 70 years of record
1.71 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
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 OAK GROVE FORK NEAR GOVERNMENT CAMP, OR (13 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
86 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
93 cfs
3/10Fri
Low
99 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
94 cfs
4/10Sun
Low
87 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
97 cfs
4/10Tue
Low
104 cfs
4/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 4/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid October to mid November, peaking in November.
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 Rhododendron hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Stein Falls Frozen?
Updated about 16 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Stein Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 35°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 86 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 Stein 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.
The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The Linney Creek Trailhead is reached from Highway 26 via Skyline Road (FR 42), FR 4290, FR 58 and gravel FR 5800-240. Oregon Hikers warns that the last 4.7 miles of FR 5800-240 are narrow and brushy with few pullouts and need a vehicle with good clearance.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the Linney Creek Trailhead.
Elevation
2,438 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.226363° N, -121.870189° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Check weather conditions before your visit, as the trail may become slippery after rain. Cell service may be limited, so download maps or directions in advance.
Where to Stay
Mount Hood Village
Mt Air Motel
Wallace Cottage - Meredith Lodging
THE CLYDE - Your Cozy & Luxurious Mt Hood Retreat
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
CAMP CREEK
5.4 miles away · 24 sites
Overview The Camp Creek Campground sits next to a babbling forest creek in the country's scenic Pacific Northwest region. The campground is not far from the base of the majestic, snow-covered Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest point and a prominent landmark of the area. A variety of recreational activities surround the campground, including hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, scenic views and points of exploration.Recreation Surrounding the campground are a variety of hiking and mountain biking t
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Estacada, Oregon
Swim Warm Springs
Swim Warm Springs emerges at 79°F within Mount Hood National Forest at 4,063 feet elevation, flowing just 6.9 meters from White...
Mount Hood Fumaroles
Mount Hood Fumaroles vent at 194°F from the flanks of Oregon's highest peak, among the state's most extreme geothermal features...
Austin Hot Springs
Austin Hot Springs discharges at 186°F along the Clackamas River at 1,680 feet elevation, emerging just 310 feet from Clackamas...
Moffetts (Bonneville) Hot Springs
Moffetts Hot Springs, also called Bonneville Hot Springs, flows at 97 degrees in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest at just 75...
Breitenbush Hot Springs
Breitenbush Hot Springs emerges at 198°F along the Breitenbush River, ranking as one of Oregon's hottest thermal features with ...
Rock Creek Hot Springs
Rock Creek Hot Springs emerges in the Columbia River Gorge in Skamania County, Washington, with water documented as 'hot' witho...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Estacada, Oregon on SoakingSprings.
Explore Oregon springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Split Falls is about a mile downstream on the Salmon River, also reached only off trail.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be mindful of their surroundings and avoid disturbing animals.
Cities near Stein Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Aerial
Aerial
Writing about Stein Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.