Overview

• Location: Lane County, Willamette National Forest (near Oakridge/Willamette Pass)

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~120 feet (37 m)

• Trail Distance: ~2.5-mile loop via Diamond Creek Falls Trail #3598, starting from Salt Creek Falls parking area

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall; accessible by snowshoe in winter

History & Background

Diamond Creek Falls is a spectacular 120-foot horsetail waterfall in the Willamette National Forest, linked to one of Oregon’s most rewarding waterfall loop hikes. The Diamond Creek Falls Trail (#3598) begins at the parking area for Salt Creek Falls—Oregon’s second-tallest waterfall at 286 feet—and loops 2.5 miles through the canyon rims of Salt Creek and Diamond Creek, offering views of both falls as well as the serene Too Much Bear Lake. The trail accesses the upper falls via a dramatic log stairway and cedar log footbridge that drop into a breathtaking view of the 120-foot cascade. The trailhead is located 22 miles east of Oakridge on Highway 58 near Willamette Pass, making it accessible to day-trippers from Eugene, Bend, and beyond.

Geology

Diamond Creek Falls horsetails over a massive cliff of Western Cascades volcanic rock at approximately 4,160 feet elevation, just east of Willamette Pass. The Diamond Creek watershed drains the high-elevation volcanic landscape near Diamond Peak, a dormant Cascade volcano that gives the area its name. The falls’ horsetail character reflects the smooth, steeply inclined face of the basalt cliff over which Diamond Creek fans out as it descends. The surrounding forest of mountain hemlock, silver fir, and old-growth Douglas fir occupies the subalpine zone near Willamette Pass, and the trail passes through terrain shaped by repeated glaciation during the Pleistocene.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Oakridge, OR (~22 miles west on Highway 58); Eugene, OR (~65 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • Diamond Creek Falls Trail (#3598) begins at Salt Creek Falls parking area off Highway 58; the 2.5-mile loop can be hiked in either direction — counterclockwise offers the best approach to the falls viewpoint

  • A spur trail with a log stairway and cedar footbridge drops steeply to the base of Upper Diamond Creek Falls for close-up views; Lower Diamond Creek Falls is visible from the rim trail; $5 day-use fee or Northwest Forest Pass required

• Parking:

  • Developed Salt Creek Falls Observation Site parking area on Highway 58; restrooms and interpretive exhibits at the trailhead; day-use fee required May 1–October 31

• Accessibility:

  • The loop trail is not wheelchair accessible due to the steep spur and natural surfaces; the Salt Creek Falls viewpoint at the trailhead is paved and accessible

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Rhododendrons bloom in early June; waterfalls are at peak flow; the trail can be hiked or snowshoed depending on conditions

• Summer: Popular hiking season; mosquitoes can be present near Too Much Bear Lake; flows strong through July

• Fall: September and October are ideal — low crowds, fall foliage, and flows still decent; the loop trail is excellent for snowshoeing in winter

• Winter: Snowshoe access from the Sno-Park when the road to the main trailhead is closed; the blue diamond trail markers guide winter visitors

Nearby Attractions

• Salt Creek Falls (286 ft, Oregon’s second tallest)

• Too Much Bear Lake (spur trail)

• Fall Creek Falls (1.4 miles via Vivian Lake Trail extension)

• Diamond Peak Wilderness

• Willamette Pass Ski Area

References

• Links:

  • USFS – Diamond Creek Falls Trail #3598

  • AllTrails – Salt Creek and Diamond Creek Falls Trail

  • Travel Oregon – Oakridge Waterfalls

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest