Overview

• Location: Douglas County, Umpqua National Forest (North Umpqua corridor, near Toketee Falls)

• Waterfall Type: Curtain

• Height: ~60 feet (18 m)

• Trail Distance: ~2–3 miles round-trip via North Umpqua Trail or spur trail

• Difficulty: Easy

• Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall

History & Background

Warm Springs Falls is a beautiful 60-foot curtain waterfall on Warm Springs Creek in the Umpqua National Forest, set near the famous Toketee Falls area of the North Umpqua Highway corridor. The name refers to the naturally warm springs that once bubbled from the volcanic geology in this area — the same hydrothermal activity that heats the nearby Umpqua Hot Springs a few miles west. The falls spread widely across a basalt ledge in a curtain form reminiscent of the Silver Falls State Park walk-behind falls, though on a smaller scale. The North Umpqua corridor near Toketee Lake is one of Oregon’s most spectacular combinations of natural features: Toketee Falls, Watson Falls, Lemolo Falls, Warm Springs Falls, and Umpqua Hot Springs all within a short drive of each other.

Geology

Warm Springs Falls spreads 60 feet as a curtain over a broad volcanic basalt ledge at approximately 3,600 feet elevation on Warm Springs Creek. The basalt ledge creates the characteristic curtain form as the creek fans across the full width of the cliff. The name reflects the volcanic hydrothermal activity in this area — the same geological heat source that warms Umpqua Hot Springs lies beneath this portion of the North Umpqua highlands. The surrounding forest of Douglas fir, mountain hemlock, and white fir reflects the high-elevation character of the upper North Umpqua.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Steamboat, OR (~15 miles west via Hwy 138); Roseburg, OR (~65 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • Access via a spur trail or segment of the North Umpqua Trail (#1414) near the Toketee Lake area; the route passes through high-elevation Umpqua NF forest to the curtain falls

  • Warm Springs Falls pairs excellently with Toketee Falls (just downstream) and a stop at Umpqua Hot Springs for a perfect North Umpqua day

• Parking:

  • Small trailhead or pullout parking near the trail access; no formal facilities

• Accessibility:

  • Relatively easy trail approach; generally accessible for most visitors on natural surfaces

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows; the curtain fans impressively across the full ledge width

• Summer: Lower flows; combined with Umpqua Hot Springs nearby for the quintessential North Umpqua summer day

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; fall color in the upper Umpqua forest

• Winter: High flows; road access generally open on Hwy 138

Nearby Attractions

• Toketee Falls (~5 miles west)

• Umpqua Hot Springs (~10 miles west)

• Lemolo Falls (~5 miles east)

• Watson Falls (~10 miles west)

• Diamond Lake (~10 miles east)

References

• Links:

  • Umpqua National Forest – USFS

  • Travel Oregon – North Umpqua Highway

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest