Overview

• Location: Josephine County, Rogue River Wild and Scenic River (near Galice)

• Waterfall Type: Cascade

• Height: ~15 feet (5 m)

• Trail Distance: ~8 miles round-trip from Grave Creek Trailhead via Rogue River National Recreation Trail

• Difficulty: Difficult

• Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall

History & Background

Upper Black Bar Falls is a cascade on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River in the Wild Rogue Wilderness, encountered approximately 4 miles downstream from Grave Creek on the Rogue River National Recreation Trail. Like its downstream companion Lower Black Bar Falls, Upper Black Bar Falls is set in the heart of one of the most remote river canyons in the contiguous United States — accessible only by trail or by river. The Black Bar area takes its name from the dark gravel bars (bars being river deposits) found in this stretch of the Rogue. The historic Black Bar Lodge nearby was one of the original fly-fishing lodges on the lower Rogue, accessible only by trail or small aircraft. The 40-mile Rogue River Trail through the Wild Rogue Wilderness is one of Oregon’s premier long-distance wilderness hiking routes, but Upper Black Bar Falls can be visited as a strenuous out-and-back day hike from Grave Creek.

Geology

Upper Black Bar Falls cascades about 15 feet over ancient Klamath Mountains metamorphic and volcanic rock at approximately 498 feet elevation in the Wild Rogue canyon. The Rogue River has carved one of Oregon’s most dramatic gorges through these extremely old and resistant rocks — accreted oceanic terranes among the oldest geological formations on the North American West Coast. The canyon walls, deep emerald pools, and the river’s powerful force through resistant bedrock create one of Oregon’s most spectacular wilderness river environments.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Galice, OR (~7 miles north of Grave Creek); Grants Pass, OR (~30 miles east)

• Trail Information:

  • From Grave Creek Trailhead (off Galice Road via Merlin from I-5), hike approximately 4 miles downstream on the Rogue River National Recreation Trail; Upper Black Bar Falls is near the Black Bar Lodge area in the Wild Rogue Wilderness

  • The Difficult rating reflects the remote terrain, rocky sections, and distance; the trail can also be accessed from the other direction (Foster Bar, ~36 miles) or by float with raft support; camping is available at Black Bar Lodge (reservations required)

• Parking:

  • Grave Creek Boat Ramp area; Almeda Campground has fee overnight parking nearby

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; long, rocky wilderness trail

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows and wildflowers in the Rogue canyon; spring Chinook salmon visible

• Summer: Hot canyon; carry extra water; river rafting season with permit system in effect

• Fall: Excellent hiking temperatures; fall steelhead run; quieter after rafting season

• Winter: High flows; trail hikeable in mild Josephine winters; check conditions

Nearby Attractions

• Black Bar Lodge (remote wilderness lodge)

• Lower Black Bar Falls (~1 mile downstream)

• Rainie Falls (~1.7 miles from Grave Creek)

• Wild Rogue Wilderness

• Galice Resort

References

• Links:

  • BLM – Rogue River National Recreation Trail

  • Travel Oregon – Wild and Scenic Rogue River

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest