Overview

Hype:

Watson Falls is the highest waterfall in Southwest Oregon and the third highest in the state with a stunning 294-foot drop over a basalt lava flow. The trail begins across from the trailhead on the other side of Forest Road 37. The trail climbs through a lush, green understory of salal, Oregon grape, vine maple, and ferns with an overstory of Douglas-fir and hemlock trees. A wooden bridge crosses Watson Creek and offers an excellent view of the spectacular falls. For those willing to trek a little off the beaten path, just north of the bridge is a path to the base of the falls, where you can get a closer view of both the falls and the lush vegetation that grows in its cool mist. After hiking back to the trail, the trail then loops back to Forest Road 24.

Trail Condition: Class 2 (Trail may have tree roots or rocks jutting out. Navigation skills may consist of following rock cairns and choosing turns at junctions. Elevation gains may be more substantial.)

Time: 1-2 hours

Length: 0.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Fees: none

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Links: www.fs.usda.gov

Getting There

Navigate to 43.241924, -122.390697.

From Roseburg, OR, turn onto OR-138 east / northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard. Continue on Highway 138 to milepost 60.5 and turn south onto Forest Road 37 (Fish Creek Road). The parking area is about 0.2 mile on the right and is large enough for trucks and trailers to pull through.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Umpqua National Forest

Coordinates: 43.241924, -122.390697

Interactive Guide Map

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Brochure

July 23, 2018 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Greg Dye, Laura Dye, Anthony Dye, Arianne Dye, Miller Dye, Ondylyn Wagner, Jaren Wagner, Killian Wagner,

Logistics

We started hiking at around 12:10 and got back to the parking area around 1:25.

Story

We hiked up to Watson Falls. At the top we took a bunch of pictures. Then Anthonoy decided to go stand underneith the waterfall. My camera wasn't fast enough, so I made him go back under so we could get a picture. Then we all hiked back down and had a picnic at one of the picnic tables near the parking lot.

Pictures