IMPORTANT NOTE: At the time this post was published, the extent of the damage caused by wildfires in September 2020 was still uncertain. Please check the status before visiting any of the places mentioned below. Meanwhile, our thoughts and prayers are with those whose homes and livelihoods have been affected by the devastating fire, as well as the forests, rivers, and animals who have suffered in its wake.
CURRENT INFO
You can find information about both Toketee Falls and Watson Falls on AllTrails. They are also included in the fantastic book Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon by Zach Urness and Bonnie Henderson.
GOOD TO KNOW
There are no parking fees to visit these falls, but they are extremely popular. On summer weekends, just finding a parking spot can involve some expert maneuvering. We visited on a summer Sunday during the Coronavirus pandemic, and suffice it to say that many hikers were not wearing masks or making any effort to socially distance themselves. If you visit during the pandemic, please wear a mask if the trail is crowded and give your fellow hikers extra space when passing. For fewer crowds, go off season, go early, or visit on a weekday.
LOCATION
North Umpqua River, Southern Oregon
LENGTH
These are two separate hikes, but located only a few miles down the road from each other.
Toketee Falls: 0.8 miles out and back
Watson Falls: 1 mile loop
Please note that you cannot reach the base of Toketee Falls by trail. Unfortunately, the fence near the viewing platform has been broken through and visitors determined to reach the falls have hung a rope to help people climb down the steep hillside to the pool below. This is not a safe route, and it is most definitely going off trail and causing dangerous erosion, so please don’t use it. At Watson Falls, you can climb a rocky path over boulders to reach the base of the falls. While this, too, isn’t technically part of the main trail (and will be too strenuous for some, so only attempt it if you feel secure doing so), it’s much safer and far less damaging to the environment than the descent to Toketee.
DIFFICULTY
These hikes are short, but the trek to each waterfall is mostly uphill. There are some steep sections to reach the Watson Falls viewpoint, and a lot of stairs on the way to Toketee. Paths are well maintained, but watch for rocks and roots.
WE HIKED IT
August 2020, with each hike taking between 30 and 45 minutes
HIGHLIGHTS
Oregon is blessed with many lovely waterfalls. These two are both stunning, and can be reached with just a little effort. But don’t ignore the other falls this area offers, especially if you prefer a hike with fewer people.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
These waterfalls are pretty, but the hikes would be more fun with fewer people. Fortunately, the short distance makes it bearable!
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
You’l find an abundance of lovely waterfalls to visit along the North Umpqua River. Toketee and Watson are two of the most popular, so you may find more space to relax and enjoy the view at other falls. The North Umpqua Highway (Highway 138) is also a popular route used to access Crater Lake when coming from the northwest. Along the Umpqua you’ll find many hiking opportunities, campgrounds, fishing, and plenty of outdoor activities at nearby Diamond Lake. For a delicious, slow-paced meal in a woodsy setting, visit Steamboat Inn.
Our Experience
Quite a few years ago, I first visited the waterfalls of the North Umpqua with my parents and brother. Enamored with my new-fangled digital camera, I lugged a bulky tripod on each short hike, setting up the camera to take timed shots to blur the falling water just so. Magic! This was well before the days of Instagram, so we met a few others on each hike, but not many.
Fast forward to today, and I knew to expect a different level of crowds. The ongoing Coronavirus epidemic also made me a tad nervous. At home, I’ve made the effort to seek out less crowded trails this summer, but I’d long planned this trip to Southern Oregon, and hated to miss out on the highlights that I knew we might not visit again for years to come. Armed with masks, we headed boldly on.
A line of cars greeted us at the Toketee Falls trailhead, but we managed to find a spot to easily pull in and park, even while towing our teardrop trailer (getting out wasn’t quite as smooth). One of the first things you’ll notice on arrival is the large wooden pipeline, dating back to the 1940s, that diverts water to create hydroelectric power. Leaks in the historic pipeline have created a veritable garden sprouting amidst miniature waterfalls and fountains.
The trail itself passes through an enchanted forest with all kinds of nooks and crannies to explore. Occasional interpretive signs provide information about the local ecosystem for those who want to learn more. This was a summer Sunday, which meant plenty of others were exploring along with us. As I mentioned above, many weren’t wearing masks, and since this is a two-way trail, you’ll pass a lot of people. But keep in mind that you can avoid the rush by going on a weekday, visiting in the off season, or making the effort to arrive early in the day.
While the trail started off flat, we soon came to the first of many stairs along the route. In some spots, you’ll find a few stone steps worked into the trail, while in other spots whole staircases have been created among the boulders. Short as this trail may be, when you finally reach the viewing platform, you’ll have earned it.
And I know I said this at the top of this page, but it’s worth saying again: the Toketee Falls trail does not take you to the base of the falls, only to the viewing platform. My advice is to appreciate the lovely view, snap a few photos, then turn around and head back down the stairs. Do not attempt to climb through the hole that has been forced through the fence and rappel your way down to the river below. The fence was put there for a reason, to protect both you and the highly erosive canyon walls. Help preserve this spot for others, and save your spirit of adventure for another time and place.
One other nearby adventure to consider is Watson Falls. You’ll have the opportunity to get closer to Watson than you can to Toketee, and the trailhead is only a few miles further east along the highway. At Watson, you can also park along the road just above the parking lot. Since the trail crosses the road, you’ll find two easy access points from here. We took the upper trail on our way to the falls (located just above the parked cars in the photo above), and came back on the lower trail, which you can see here.
Like Toketee, there are many beautiful spots tucked away along the trail. It’s not just about the waterfall, which, in Watson’s case, is the highest fall on the Umpqua at around 272 feet. Wow!
Hike up the switchback trail to the main viewpoint, but take the time to enjoy the falls from below as well. The trail is steep in spots, and you’ll approach the falls from a lower vantage point than at Toketee. My older son and I clambered over the boulders near the base of the falls to get close enough to feel the spray. It’s such a tall waterfall that you don’t have to go far; even a gentle breeze causes the mist to billow out over the basalt basin, keeping the ferns very happy.
Similar to Toketee, Watson is a popular spot. During the time of Coronavirus, please be careful and wear a mask when the trail is crowded. Perhaps in part because the trail can be done as a loop, you might not pass by as many people as you will at Toketee, but you’ll hardly be alone. With their beauty and accessibility, that’s understandable. I was happy to revisit them. Still, I think that next time, I’ll opt for a weekday visit. I hear March is a good time of year for waterfalls…
