Are there fees or permits required for Upper Soda Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Upper Soda Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Upper Soda Falls.

Nearby gauge (South Santiam River) · 115 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Upper Soda Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Upper Soda Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Upper Soda Falls.

Oregon

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (5)

BLM Oregon & Washington CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Upper Soda Falls

Upper Soda Falls sits in the Soda Springs area of Oregon, surrounded by lush forest within the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest. The falls make a peaceful, photogenic stop for day hikers and nature lovers — an intimate cascade framed by the surrounding timber and undergrowth that rewards a short hike with a close-up viewing area. For campers, the Longbow Organization Group campground is nearby (about 8.73 km away), providing a convenient option for overnight stays or a base for exploring other trails in the forest.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Lower Soda Falls (134 ft) lies 0.5 miles to the southwest.

Lower Soda Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The route follows a forested, well-defined path through Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest to a viewing area adjacent to the waterfall. Trail surface and formal USFS trail class/number are not provided in the available data; hikers should expect typical forest trail conditions with some short climbs and a few uneven sections.

What to Expect

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 Soda Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Upper Soda Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit when the water flow is at its peak. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warmer weather for hiking.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 50°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

Exercise caution near the waterfall as rocks may be slippery. Be aware of changing weather conditions and avoid visiting during heavy rain or storms.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on South Santiam River, 2 miles away, not on Upper Soda Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

115 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

96 264 850 1.8k

Based on 91 years of record

2.52 ft

Water depth at gauge

50°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 50 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Expect crystal clear visibility and excellent dissolved oxygen levels.

Water Quality

10.4 mg/L

Dissolved Oxygen

Excellent

Supports aquatic life

0.4 FNU

Water Clarity

Crystal clear

Excellent visibility

About This Gauge

SOUTH SANTIAM RIVER BELOW CASCADIA, OR

USGS 14185000

2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 174 sq mi

Altitude: 775 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SOUTH SANTIAM RIVER BELOW CASCADIA, OR (3 km away).

High confidence

Roaring right now

115 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

115 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

110 cfs

8/10

Thu

Roaring

122 cfs

8/10

Fri

Roaring

159 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

155 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

153 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

168 cfs

6/10

Best window: Today — roaring flow, patchy fog (trip score 8/10).

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

Is Upper Soda Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Upper Soda Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 45°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 89 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.

3-meter lidar measures about 206 feet of descent through Upper Soda Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 1,856 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 212 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 88 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Upper Soda Falls near Cascadia, Oregon, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Upper Soda Falls near Cascadia, Oregon, showing about 206 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing west

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 1,856 feet; Measured by 3-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 206 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: West; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Upper Soda Falls is located near the Soda Springs area in southern Oregon. It can be accessed via local forest roads, but specific directions should be confirmed with updated maps or local resources.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available near the trailhead, but spaces may be limited depending on the season.

Hours

Elevation

1,850 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.414745° N, -122.471702° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy, especially after rain. Bring insect repellent during warmer months. Arrive early to secure parking, especially during peak seasons.

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

LONGBOW ORGANIZATION GROUP

5.4 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview The group site has 6 alpine shelters with fireplaces and capacity to sleep 48. All of the shelters are facing the river and no tents or trailers are allowed. This group site also includes a covered dining hall with cooking area, fireplace and capacity to seat 40 people. An amphitheater that seats up to 75 is located near the volleyball court. The campground has one accessible double vault toilet and one handpump well to provide potable water. Parking is limited; maximum of 50 people

Book on Recreation.gov