Overview

• Location: Coos County, Coast Range foothills (near Coquille)
• Waterfall Type: Cascade
• Height: ~12 feet (4 m)
• Trail Distance: ~0.1 mile short scramble down a dirt path from the park, easily viewed from above.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time to Visit: Fall through spring

History & Background

Laverne Falls is a small cascade in the Coos County Coast Range near Coquille, likely located within or near Laverne County Park — a Coos County park that preserves a stretch of the North Fork Coquille River and its tributaries. Laverne Park is a popular local destination offering swimming holes, picnic areas, and access to the forested hills above Coquille, the county seat of Coos County. Coquille is a community with deep roots in the timber industry and the Coquille Indian Tribe, whose traditional territory encompasses much of Coos and Curry counties. The Coquille Indian Tribe regained federal recognition in 1989 after a period of termination and today manages tribal lands and programs throughout the region.

Geology

Laverne Falls cascades over a basaltic ledge in the Coos County Coast Range at approximately 320 feet elevation in the North Fork Coquille drainage. The Coast Range here is composed of ancient oceanic basalt accreted onto the North American continent during the Eocene epoch, overlaid by younger marine and terrestrial deposits. The North Fork Coquille watershed receives substantial annual precipitation, sustaining year-round stream flow and the lush Douglas fir, red alder, and bigleaf maple forest characteristic of the southern Oregon Coast Range.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Coquille, OR (~8 miles west)
• Trail Information:
  • Access the falls from the Laverne County Park area north of Coquille; a short path behind the bathrooms to the small cascade.
  • Laverne County Park offers additional recreational amenities including swimming holes and picnic areas along the North Fork Coquille River; a pleasant destination for a combined park and waterfall visit. This fall is probably not worth driving out of the way to visit, however it’s a lovely place to camp or spend the day on the river if you’re in the area.
• Parking:
  • Laverne County Park parking area; day-use fee may apply; Coos County manages this facility
• Accessibility:
  • Not wheelchair accessible to the falls, however they are visible from above; County Park main area has accessible facilities

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows from coastal rains; surrounding forest vivid green; swimming holes fill nicely
• Summer: Reduced flow; popular for swimming in the park’s creek holes; warm coastal summer conditions
• Fall: Flows return with October rains; fall color from maple and alder
• Winter: Highest flows; road and park generally accessible

Nearby Attractions

• Coquille, Oregon (Coos County seat)
• Coquille Indian Tribe
• Golden and Silver Falls (~20 miles northeast)
• Coos Bay and North Bend
• Bullards Beach State Park

References

• Links:
  • Coos County Parks – Laverne Park
  • Travel Oregon – Coos Bay Area
• Books:
  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb
  • Waterfall Lover’s Guide: Pacific Northwest