Overview

• Location: Lane County, Umpqua National Forest (Trestle Creek, near Cottage Grove)

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~45 feet (14 m)

• Trail Distance: ~1 mile round-trip via easy trail from Trestle Creek Falls Trailhead

• Difficulty: Easy

• Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall

History & Background

Lower Trestle Creek Falls is a 45-foot horsetail waterfall on Trestle Creek in the Umpqua National Forest of Lane County, near the community of Cottage Grove. The falls are accessible from the same trailhead as the upper Trestle Creek Falls, and together they offer a rewarding double-waterfall hike through the forested hills above the Row River watershed. The name ‘Trestle Creek’ likely refers to old railroad trestles used during the logging era to carry timber out of these hills — the Bohemia Mining District above Cottage Grove spawned both mining and extensive timber harvesting activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Umpqua National Forest extends into southern Lane County here, managing forest lands in this transitional zone between the Willamette Valley and the higher Umpqua highlands.

Geology

Lower Trestle Creek Falls horsetails over a volcanic basalt ledge in the Trestle Creek drainage at approximately 1,600 feet elevation in the southern Lane County hills. The creek flows through the older Western Cascades volcanic geology in the transitional zone between the Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest jurisdictions. The surrounding forest of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and bigleaf maple reflects the moist, mid-elevation western Oregon Cascades environment. Strong winter and spring flows sustain the falls before diminishing in the dry summer months.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Cottage Grove, OR (~15 miles northwest)

• Trail Information:

  • Easy trail of approximately 0.5 miles from the Trestle Creek Falls Trailhead leads to Lower Trestle Creek Falls; the upper falls can be reached by continuing a short distance further

  • Both Trestle Creek Falls (upper and lower) make an excellent combined waterfall hike; the trail can be extended to explore additional creek corridor terrain

• Parking:

  • Small trailhead parking area; Northwest Forest Pass or day-use fee may apply

• Accessibility:

  • Short, relatively flat trail suitable for most visitors

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows; the horsetail fans impressively; lush forest surroundings

• Summer: Lower flows; cool shaded hiking; a pleasant short outing near Cottage Grove

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; fall foliage from maple

• Winter: High flows after rain; road access generally open

Nearby Attractions

• Upper Trestle Creek Falls (same trailhead)

• Cottage Grove Covered Bridges

• Row River Trail (BLM)

• Bohemia Gold Mining District (~20 miles east)

• Dorena Lake

References

• Links:

  • Umpqua National Forest – USFS

  • Travel Oregon – Cottage Grove

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest