Watson Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 294 ft high | Oregon
0.8 mi loop
360 ft
Easy
Watson Falls Hike at a Glance
The Watson Falls hike is 0.8 mi loop with 360 ft of elevation gain.
| Falls height | About 294 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 0.8 mi loop |
| Elevation gain | 360 ft |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Your time: about 25 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 35 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 250 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 0.8 mi distance and 360 ft of gain for this hike are verified (oregonhikers.org), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Watson Falls
Watson Falls is a waterfall in Oregon, about 294 feet high, on land managed by Umpqua National Forest. Its height is from fs.usda.gov.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Watson Falls Trail: 0.8 miles as a loop with about 360 feet of elevation gain, from Watson Falls Trailhead. Distance from oregonhikers.org. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Easy.
Before You Go
- No fees are required for this site. (fs.usda.gov)
- Dogs are permitted on leash. (oregonhikers.org)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Umpqua National Forest for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Watson Falls?
The Watson Falls Trail to Watson Falls is 0.8 miles as a loop with about 360 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Watson Falls hike start?
It starts from Watson Falls Trailhead.
How tall is Watson Falls?
Watson Falls is about 294 feet high.
Is there a fee to hike to Watson Falls?
No fees are required for this site.
Are dogs allowed on the Watson Falls trail?
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Watson Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- oregonhikers.org
- Distance
- oregonhikers.org
- Falls height
- fs.usda.gov
- Falls location
- gowaterfalling.com
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Watson Falls.