Looking for more adventures on the North Oregon Coast?
Hike to God’s Thumb north of Lincoln City for an amazing view, explore Winema Beach near Pacific City, or revel in nature at Sitka Sedge.
LOCATION
The Drift Creek Falls trailhead is located in Oregon’s Siuslaw National Forest along National Forest Road 17, nine miles south of Highway 18. From Highway 18, turn south onto Bear Creek Road in Rose Lodge. Coming from the south end of Lincoln City? From Highway 101 at Siletz Bay, turn east onto S Drift Creek Road. From here, it’s a winding 13-mile drive to the trailhead.
LENGTH
3.7 miles round trip including the North Loop, or 3.1 miles out and back omitting the North Loop
DIFFICULTY
Easy/Moderate — The main trail is wide with minimal elevation change other than the final descent to Drift Creek Falls. The North Loop is steeper and more narrow, so for an easier option stick with the main trail. Be prepared for mud if there has been any recent rain.
WE HIKED IT
April, 2024, 2 hours
CURRENT INFO
Information and maps for the Drift Creek Falls Trail are available on the OregonHikers website and the AllTrails website. This hike is also featured in the excellent guidebook Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon by Zach Urness and Bonnie Henderson.
GOOD TO KNOW
- There is a day use fee of $5 to park at the Drift Creek Falls trailhead. Day passes must be purchased online in advance, or you can use an annual recreation pass, including the Northwest Forest Pass or the American the Beautiful Pass. Important note: Day passes cannot be purchased at the trailhead due to poor cell service.
- A vault toilet and garbage bins are available at the trailhead.
- Pets on leash are welcome.
- A trail map and other information is posted at the trailhead.
- For an easier 3.1-mile hike, follow the main trail out and back. For a somewhat longer hike with a little more elevation change, take the north loop when you reach the trail junction. A sign at the junction points the way to the North Loop. We hiked this longer route on our way out to Drift Creek Falls and returned via the main trail for a 3.7-mile total hike.
- Wear closed shoes with good traction. The Oregon Coast Range is well known for rain, and the Drift Creek Falls trail is often muddy and sometimes slick.
- Bring water. No potable water is available at the trailhead.
- The road to Drift Creek Falls is narrow and winding. Come prepared if you’re prone to motion sickness. Forest Road 17 is a single-lane road with frequent pull-outs to allow for passing.
- Always follow Leave No Trace principles.
HIGHLIGHTS
Drift Creek Falls makes a dramatic entrance, coming into view from a high suspension bridge overlooking the canyon. Squeezing through a narrow rift in the basalt columns, the waterfall thunders as it plunges 75 feet to the rocky creek below.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
Drift Creek Falls is a great family hike. It’s not too long, and the payoff — wow! Hikers of all ages will be impressed by their first view of the falls. The suspension bridge may be a little scary for some, but it’s very sturdy with chain link railing. Stick with the main trail for an easier route, or take the North Loop to take it up a notch. We encountered plentiful sour grass (Oregon wood sorrel) when hiking in April, one of my younger son’s favorite trailside treats. This sour-tasting edible plant looks similar to three-leaf clover.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Drift Creek Falls is a wonderful stop en route to or from the Oregon Coast near Lincoln City. For another impressive short hike, head to God’s Thumb for a jaw-dropping view. Like to paddle? Launch your kayak or paddle board from Knight Park to explore the Salmon River Estuary. Back in Lincoln City, the Otis Cafe serves satisfying home-cooked meals for breakfast and lunch.
Further north, try the short loop hike at the Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, which features views across the Sand Lake Estuary, beautiful coastal forest trails, and a gorgeous secluded beach. Near Pacific City, Winema Beach invites even more exploration.
For something a little different, head south to Beaver Creek State Natural Area, a fantastic place to paddle or hike.
Our Experience
Raindrops pelted the windshield as we rounded each bend along the narrow forest road. I’d hoped for clear weather, but when hiking in the Oregon Coast Range, you can’t be too picky. Besides, where better to hike on a rainy day than to a waterfall? Honestly, Drift Creek Falls is a great hike in almost any weather.
There were just three other cars in the lot when we arrived at the trailhead. We pulled on our rain pants, and I was gratified to find the rain was slowing. As we started off down the trail, we passed what would be the first of many mud slicks to come. No problem, I thought, as I stepped to the side. Naturally, eight-year-old T walked straight on through.
The broad trail wound through peaceful, verdant forest carpeted in ferns and moss. Before long, we came to a crossroads and faced a choice: take the North Loop, or stick with the main trail. My older son, J, quickly made the decision for us, and strode up the North Loop decisively. This was fine by me; the North Loop is the longer option, and I wanted to give it a try. Better to do it on the way out to Drift Creek Falls and save the fast route for the return trip.
While not difficult, the North Loop is steeper than the main route. The trail is more narrow, and a bit rockier, but nothing too challenging. We hiked along the edge of a ravine, passing a gully filled with skunk cabbage in full bloom. T was reminded of the Bog of Eternal Stench from the movie Labyrinth, but we all agreed that skunk cabbage, while unpleasant, is relatively tolerable as far as stenches are concerned.
The path leveled out as we neared the junction with the main trail to Drift Creek Falls. By this time, the kids were eager to get to falls — the North Loop was a little longer than expected! No big deal, I assured them. We could enjoy the fast track on the way back.
Up ahead, a long wooden bridge crossed the creek.
“This isn’t the bridge,” I told the kids, “But we’re getting close.”
Soon, the roar of an unseen waterfall echoed through the forest. J ran ahead and reached the suspension bridge first. As we began to cross the wooden planks, Drift Creek Falls came into view, its thundering waters pummeling the basalt cliffs as it poured into the gorge below our feet.
At this point, T hesitated.
“Uh-uh, no way!” he said backing away from the bridge with wide eyes.
“You can do it! You’ve crossed bigger, higher bridges before!” I called out.
With a little encouragement — and an admonishment to J not to shake the bridge — he made it across. Once on the other side, T decided the hollowed-out stump of an ancient tree was far more entertaining and secure.
We walked down to the end of the trail to catch a view of Drift Creek Falls from below, then made our way back uphill to the bridge. This time, T had no difficulty crossing. While J hurried on ahead, T and I hiked together at a moderate pace. The rain had long since passed, leaving us to enjoy the scent of the damp earth and fragrant evergreens. Sure enough, sticking with the main trail proved a much faster route, and before long we were back at the trailhead.
Other cars were arriving now, and overhead the smallest hint of blue could be seen pushing through the grey. But honestly, I would hike to Drift Creek Falls in the rain all over again. Hiking in the Oregon Coast Range doesn’t get much more authentic than that.
