Are there fees or permits required for Upper Parker Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Upper Parker Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Upper Parker Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Upper Parker Falls.

Aerial view of the ground around Upper Parker Falls near Westfir, Oregon

Aerial view · USGS

Nearby gauge (Middle Fork Willamette River) · 426 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Upper Parker Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Upper Parker Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Upper Parker Falls. Dogs are allowed on national forest trails; in developed recreation sites such as trailheads they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Oregon • 35 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

3D terrain

Umpqua National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.8 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

420 ft

About Upper Parker Falls

Upper Parker Falls is a series of steep cascades totaling about 35 feet on Parker Creek, a tributary of Brice Creek in the Umpqua National Forest east of Cottage Grove. The Parker Falls Trail #1415 passes a side path to Lower Parker Falls and ends at the top of the upper falls, which is seen mostly from above.

The Setting

Upper Parker Falls sits at 2,753 feet within Umpqua National Forest, in the hills of Oregon. The falls drop 35 feet.

Height: 35 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Upper Trestle Creek Falls (60 ft) lies 2.6 miles to the west. Also nearby: Lower Trestle Creek Falls (60 ft, 2.8 mi).

Upper Trestle Creek Falls Lower Trestle Creek Falls

Trail & Hike Details

1.8 mi distance 420 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Parker Falls (#1415), a 1.8-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 420 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

PARKER FALLS #1415

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

0.77 mi

Trail Description

The Parker Falls Trail #1415 follows Brice Creek at an easy grade for the first half mile under mature conifers, then turns up Parker Creek. A side trail on the right leads to Lower Parker Falls, three drops totaling about 50 feet. The main trail gets steeper and climbs another quarter mile to the lip of Upper Parker Falls. The full out-and-back is about 1.8 miles with 420 feet of gain.

What to Expect

The falls drop 35 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Upper Parker Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on national forest trails; in developed recreation sites such as trailheads they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Upper Parker Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring, or fall after the rains return. Parker Creek runs low in summer.

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

Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall and along the trail. Watch for poison oak and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Middle Fork Willamette River, 10.1 miles away, not on Upper Parker Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

426 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

397 581 1.6k 1.8k

Based on 92 years of record

2.68 ft

Water depth at gauge

54°F

Cold

Bracing — limit time in water

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year. Water temperature is a bracing 54 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 ABV SALT CRK, NEAR OAKRIDGE,OR

USGS 14145500

10.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 392 sq mi

Altitude: 1,208 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge MF WILLAMETTE RIVER ABV SALT CRK, NEAR OAKRIDGE,OR (16 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

426 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

426 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

426 cfs

4/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

474 cfs

3/10

Sat

Low

561 cfs

4/10

Sun

Low

594 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

632 cfs

4/10

Tue

Low

622 cfs

4/10

Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid November to late December, 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 Upper Parker Falls Frozen?

Updated about 5 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Upper Parker Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 63°F to 48°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 430 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 Upper Parker 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

From I-5 at Cottage Grove (Exit 174), head east on Row River Road and continue past Dorena Lake. About 19.4 miles from I-5, stay right on Brice Creek Road (Road 22) and drive 10.5 miles. The trailhead sign is on the right just before a bridge, and the trail starts on the opposite side of the road.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

The parking area holds two or three cars, with a second small pullout across the bridge. There is no fee.

Elevation

2,753 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.637500° N, -122.603889° W

Land Management

Umpqua National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the trail can be slippery in places. Bring water and snacks, and consider visiting early in the day to avoid crowds. Check weather conditions before heading out, as rain can make the trail more challenging.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 1.8 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

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.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

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

Osprey Daylite Daypack

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

OR Sombriolet Sun Hat

UPF 50+ sun protection with vents so your head doesn't cook on exposed trail sections.

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

RUJADA DAY USE PICNIC AREA

8.4 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