Overview

• Location: Douglas County, Umpqua National Forest (Little River corridor near Glide)

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~45 feet (14 m)

• Trail Distance: ~0.5 miles round-trip from the Hemlock Falls trailhead

• Difficulty: Easy

• Best Time to Visit: Spring through early summer

History & Background

Hemlock Falls is a 45-foot horsetail waterfall on the Little River in the Umpqua National Forest, one of the first and most accessible waterfall destinations along the celebrated Little River Road ‘Waterfall Alley’ east of Glide. The falls cascade near groves of western hemlock — the tree that gives the falls their name — in a forested canyon that represents some of the richest biodiversity in the North Umpqua watershed. Little River Road (County Road 17) connects a remarkable chain of waterfalls within a relatively short distance, making it a favorite among Oregon waterfall enthusiasts. The Umpqua National Forest, established in 1905, manages this landscape for a combination of timber production, watershed protection, and outstanding recreational values. The Little River supports wild trout and is a tributary of the North Umpqua River system, one of Oregon’s most celebrated fly-fishing streams.

Geology

Hemlock Falls drops as a horsetail over volcanic and metamorphic rock of the Little River watershed at approximately 2,100 feet elevation. Like the other waterfalls along Little River Road, Hemlock Falls exists because the creek encounters a resistant rock ledge at a point of steep gradient. The surrounding forest of Douglas fir, sugar pine, white fir, incense cedar, and — crucially — western hemlock reflects the transitional character between the wetter western Cascades and the drier Klamath Mountains geological province. The creek corridor supports old-growth characteristics with large-diameter trees and complex understory.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Glide, OR (~12 miles west); Roseburg, OR (~28 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • Short, easy trail of approximately 0.25 miles from a trailhead on Little River Road leads quickly to the base of Hemlock Falls and its viewing area

  • Hemlock Falls is an ideal first stop on a Little River Road ‘Waterfall Alley’ tour — Grotto Falls, Emile Falls, Clover Falls, and others are all accessible along the same road

• Parking:

  • Small trailhead parking area on Little River Road; no fee typically required

• Accessibility:

  • Short, relatively flat trail suitable for most visitors including families with young children

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Peak flows; the horsetail fans impressively over the ledge; surrounding forest vivid with spring growth

• Summer: Lower flow but still scenic; cool shaded canyon; good for a multi-waterfall day trip

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; fall foliage throughout the corridor; quieter season

• Winter: High flows after winter rain; Little River Road generally accessible

Nearby Attractions

• Grotto Falls (Little River Rd)

• Emile Falls

• Clover Falls

• Shadow Falls

• Susan Creek Falls (~20 miles west on Hwy 138)

References

• Links:

  • Umpqua National Forest – USFS

  • Travel Oregon – Little River Waterfalls

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest