Overview

• Location: Coos County, Oregon Coast Range (near Myrtle Point)

• Waterfall Type: Plunge

• Height: ~40 feet (12 m)

• Trail Distance: ~1–2 miles round-trip via forest trail

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Fall through spring

History & Background

Lost Creek Falls is a 40-foot plunge waterfall in the Coos County Coast Range near Myrtle Point, set in the forested hills of the south Coast Range above the South Fork Coquille River valley. Myrtle Point is a small city on the Coquille River named for the Oregon myrtle trees (Umbellularia californica, also known as California bay laurel) that grow abundantly in the Coos and Curry county river valleys and are found almost nowhere else in Oregon outside the Klamath-Siskiyou region. The Coquille Indian Tribe, whose traditional territory includes this region, has maintained a connection to these lands since time immemorial and regained federal recognition in 1989. Lost Creek Falls is a quiet discovery hike for those exploring the back roads of Coos County’s forested interior.

Geology

Lost Creek Falls plunges over a basaltic ledge in the southern Oregon Coast Range at approximately 500 feet elevation. The Coast Range here is composed of ancient oceanic basalt accreted onto the continent during the Eocene epoch, with the southern Coos County section beginning to transition toward the geologically distinct Klamath Mountains province. The surrounding forest reflects the wet coastal climate — Douglas fir, red alder, bigleaf maple, and the distinctive Oregon myrtle trees that thrive in this portion of the southern Coast Range. Annual precipitation exceeds 60 inches, sustaining reliable seasonal stream flows.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Myrtle Point, OR (~8 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • Access via forest trail in the Coos County hills near Myrtle Point; the path follows Lost Creek through second-growth Coast Range forest to the plunge falls

  • The surrounding area offers additional exploration along the creek corridor; Myrtle Point and the broader South Coquille River valley are pleasant destinations for combined visits

• Parking:

  • Limited roadside or pullout parking near the trail access point; no formal facilities

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; natural trail surfaces with moderate terrain

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows from coastal rains; surrounding forest vivid green; Oregon myrtle foliage distinctive in spring

• Summer: Reduced flow; cool coastal temperatures; shaded forest hiking

• Fall: Flows returning with October rains; fall color from maple and alder

• Winter: Highest flows; road access generally open at low elevation; trail may be muddy

Nearby Attractions

• Myrtle Point, Oregon (Oregon myrtle country)

• South Fork Coquille River

• Golden and Silver Falls (~30 miles northeast)

• Coquille, Oregon

• Bandon (~30 miles west)

References

• Links:

  • Travel Oregon – Coos Bay Area

  • Coquille Indian Tribe

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest