We value your privacy

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies.

Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Salt Creek & Diamond Creek Falls

The Salt Creek and Diamond Creek Falls trail near Oakridge offers hikers a scenic journey through lush forests to view two stunning waterfalls. This popular trail features a well-maintained path, diverse flora and fauna, and breathtaking views of cascading water, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and waterfall seekers alike.

Trail Summary

Trailhead: 23 Miles Southeast of Oakridge

Length: Main Loop is 3.7 Miles Round Trip

Elevation: 450 ft. Gain

Difficulty: Moderate

Surface Conditions: Paved Sections, Dirt Paths, Rocky Areas, Wooden Footbridges

Featured Landmark: Salt Creek Falls

More Hiking

Salt Creek Falls Trailhead Location

The Salt Creek Falls trailhead is located 23 miles southeast of Oakridge, Oregon, and approximately 5 miles west of Willamette Pass along Highway 58. To access the trailhead:

  • Turn onto Forest Service Road 5893 from Highway 58, east of milepost 58
  • Follow the signs to the well-marked parking lot
  • A large paved parking area is available at the trailhead

The Salt Creek Falls Observation Site, where the trail begins, is easily accessible by car during summer months. In winter, the main access road is typically closed, but visitors can park at the nearby Salt Creek Sno-Park and walk 0.4 miles along the road to reach the falls. A Northwest Forest Pass or $5 day-use fee is required for parking from May 1 to October 31, while a Sno-Park permit is needed from November 1 to April 30.

Diamond Creek Falls Scenic Views

Diamond Creek Falls offers a spectacular visual experience along its 3.2-mile loop trail, showcasing the beauty of the Cascade Mountains. The trail skirts the rims of Salt Creek and Diamond Creek Canyons, providing hikers with breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the 90-foot upper falls, where Diamond Creek spills over a basalt face in a glittering fan of water.

  • A side trail halfway through the hike descends to the base of the upper falls, offering a dramatic upward view of the cascading water.
  • The lower falls, considered part of Diamond Creek Falls, drop an additional 500 feet over a series of tiers, creating a mesmerizing multi-level waterfall experience.
  • In spring, the forest comes alive with blooming rhododendrons, adding vibrant colors to the already stunning scenery.
  • Hikers can also enjoy glimpses of Too Much Bear Lake and views of Mount David Douglas along the trail.

OAKRIDGE

Trail Length and Surface Conditions

The Salt Creek and Diamond Creek Falls trail offers a versatile hiking experience with options to suit different preferences and abilities. The main loop trail is approximately 3.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 450 feet. For those seeking a longer adventure, an extended route including Fall Creek Falls adds about 2.6 miles, bringing the total distance to 6.4 miles with 1,550 feet of elevation gain. The trail surface is generally well-maintained and suitable for most hikers. It features a mix of terrain, including:

  • Paved sections near the Salt Creek Falls viewpoint
  • Dirt paths through forested areas
  • Some rocky and uneven surfaces, particularly on spur trails to waterfall bases
  • Occasional wooden footbridges and steps

Hikers should be prepared for potentially muddy or slippery conditions, especially during spring snowmelt or after rainfall. In winter, the trail transforms into a popular snowshoeing and cross-country skiing route, with blue diamond markers guiding the way through the snow-covered landscape.

Sources:

Oregon is for Adventure, Forest Service, Oregon Hikers, Hike Oregon

More Hiking

Related Articles

Biking, Events, Outdoors, Sports & Wildlife

Oakridge Tree Planting Festival

Oakridge Tree Planting Festival

by | Apr 23, 2025 | Community, Events, Local Attractions, Outdoors | 0 Comments

Festival Overview The Oakridge Tree Planting Festival, now in its 72nd year, is a vibrant celebration held from May 1-4, 2025, in Oakridge, Oregon. It’s known for...

Read More
Framed in Light Discover Local Art in a Whole New Way at the River Gallery Window Show

Framed in Light: Discover Local Art in a Whole New Way at the River Gallery Window Show

by | Apr 20, 2025 | Art & Theater, Community, Culture, News, Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Eugene, OR – April 21–27, 2025 –Some art demands your attention. Other art invites it—gently, unexpectedly, like sunlight filtering through a window you hadn’t noticed...

Read More
Rooted in Care Join Florence's Arbor Day Tree Planting at Gallagher Park

Rooted in Care: Join Florence’s Arbor Day Tree Planting at Gallagher Park

by | Apr 19, 2025 | Community, Events, News, Outdoors, Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Florence, OR – On Saturday, April 26, 2025 experience a quiet kind of joy that comes from giving back to the land you call home. The occasion? Arbor Day—a day that...

Read More