Overview

• Location: Deschutes County, Deschutes National Forest (Camp Sherman / Metolius River watershed, near Sisters)

• Waterfall Type: Plunge

• Height: ~26 feet (8 m)

• Trail Distance: ~2–4 miles round-trip via forest trail

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall; road typically open June through October

History & Background

The Cascades waterfall is a 26-foot plunge in the Deschutes National Forest near Sisters, set in the remarkable Metolius River watershed west of Sisters in the volcanic highland country of Central Oregon. The Metolius River is one of Oregon’s most extraordinary rivers — it springs fully formed from underground springs at the base of Black Butte, never fed by rainfall or surface runoff but emerging at a constant temperature and volume from the volcanic aquifer of the Central Oregon Cascades. The surrounding landscape near Sisters is dominated by the Three Sisters volcanoes, the Black Butte cinder cone, and the dramatic transition between the moist Cascades to the west and the high desert to the east. The falls provide a pleasant hiking destination in this exceptional volcanic landscape.

Geology

The Cascades waterfall drops 26 feet over a volcanic basalt ledge at approximately 3,000 feet elevation in the Metolius River watershed. The surrounding terrain reflects the young volcanic geology of the Central Oregon Cascades — lava flows, cinder cones, and the porous volcanic substrate that creates the Metolius River’s extraordinary spring-fed character. The ponderosa and lodgepole pine forest is typical of the transitional zone between the wetter western Cascades and the drier Central Oregon plateau.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Sisters, OR (~12 miles east); Camp Sherman, OR (~5 miles north)

• Trail Information:

  • Access via Deschutes National Forest trail in the Metolius watershed near Camp Sherman; the path passes through ponderosa and lodgepole pine forest to the falls

  • The falls can be combined with the exceptional Camp Sherman area loop trails along the Metolius River — one of Oregon’s finest river hiking experiences; Northwest Forest Pass required

• Parking:

  • Small trailhead or forest road pullout parking; Northwest Forest Pass required

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; natural trail surfaces with moderate terrain

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows; road typically opens in June; Three Sisters Wilderness nearby spectacular

• Summer: Lower flows; the Camp Sherman area is a popular summer destination; cool forested conditions

• Fall: Excellent hiking weather; road closes with first heavy snow; fall colors in the larch groves nearby

• Winter: Road closed; not accessible

Nearby Attractions

• Metolius River (world-class fly fishing, spring-fed river)

• Camp Sherman

• Black Butte (volcanic cinder cone)

• Sisters

• Three Sisters Wilderness

References

• Links:

  • Deschutes National Forest – USFS

  • Travel Oregon – Sisters and Camp Sherman

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest