Thompson Falls
Oregon • 40 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
No established trail to Thompson Falls is documented.
Photo Credits (5)
About Thompson Falls
Thompson Falls is a waterfall of about 40 feet on Thompson Creek in the Umatilla National Forest, southwest of Ukiah in northeast Oregon, at about 4,200 feet. It is shown on USGS maps, but we found no published trail, photos or visitor information, so the route to it is unconfirmed.
The Setting
Thompson Falls sits at 4,117 feet within Umatilla National Forest, in the mountains of Oregon. The falls drop 40 feet.
Height: 40 feet
Trail & Hike Details
What to Expect
The falls drop 40 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Thompson Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Umatilla National Forest land if kept under control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Thompson Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Umatilla National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 44°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Middle Fork John Day River, 9.5 miles away, not on Thompson Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
32 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 97 years of record
1.88 ft
Water depth at gauge
44°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
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 very cold at 44 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 MIDDLE FORK JOHN DAY RIVER AT RITTER, OR (15 km away).
Today
Moderate
32 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Moderate
34 cfs
6/10Sat
Moderate
32 cfs
9/10Sun
Moderate
34 cfs
6/10Mon
Strong
35 cfs
8/10Tue
Moderate
35 cfs
9/10Wed
Moderate
36 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to mid June, peaking in April.
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 Ukiah hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Thompson Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Thompson Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 64°F to 49°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 32 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 230 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 40 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 4,113 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 235 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 89 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
- 4,113 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 230 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
Elevation
4,117 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.020945° N, -119.192249° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
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
DITCH CREEK GUARD STATION CAB
10.1 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Ditch Creek Guard Station, located about 27 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon, is a comfortable little cabin that accommodates six overnight guests, with additional space for tent camping outside. Equestrian campers are welcome and a corral with trough is provided. The guard station was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s. It is a classic example of forest structures of that era and is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. I
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Other waterfalls named Thompson Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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