Overview

• Location: Coos County, Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest (near Powers)

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~115 feet (35 m) in two tiers: upper 50 ft, lower 65 ft

• Trail Distance: ~0.8 miles round-trip via Coquille River Falls Trail #1257 (steep descent of ~500 ft)

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round; most powerful in winter and spring

History & Background

Coquille River Falls is one of the most powerful and dramatic waterfalls on the southern Oregon Coast, set within a 500-acre Federal Research Natural Area designated in 1945 to protect the exceptional old-growth forest of Douglas fir and Port Orford cedar surrounding it. Located about 11 miles southeast of the remote town of Powers, the falls tumble in two tiers at the confluence of the South Fork Coquille River with Drowned Out Creek and Sru Creek, creating a thundering canyon scene. The South Fork Coquille River is a major spawning corridor for salmon and steelhead—fishing is prohibited between the national forest boundary near Powers and the falls themselves to protect these runs. Powers was founded as a logging town and remains the gateway community to this remote section of the Siskiyou National Forest.

Geology

Coquille River Falls drops over the ancient metamorphic and volcanic basement rocks of the Klamath Mountains, one of Oregon’s oldest geological terranes. The South Fork Coquille River has cut a deep, rugged canyon through these resistant rocks over millions of years. The two-tier structure reflects different resistant layers in the bedrock—the upper 50-foot tier spreads across a broad basalt ledge before constricting and plunging 65 feet in the lower horsetail. The surrounding old-growth forest of Douglas fir and the rare Port Orford cedar (found almost exclusively in the Klamath Mountains) reflects the exceptional biodiversity of this corner of Oregon.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Powers, OR (~11 miles north); Gold Beach, OR (~40 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • From Powers, travel south on County Road 219 to Forest Road 33, then to Forest Road 3348 and 1.6 miles to the trailhead; the trail descends steeply ~500 ft in 0.4 miles to the falls overlook with a trail junction for upper and lower tiers

  • Left fork at the junction leads to the safer Lower Falls viewpoint (recommended); right fork toward the Upper Falls is rougher and unmaintained — trekking poles strongly recommended on the steep, often wet descent

• Parking:

  • Small trailhead pullout on FR 3348; vault restrooms available at the trailhead; no fee

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; steep, narrow, and often wet trail requires sure footing

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Peak flow after winter and spring rains; the canyon roars with full two-tier cascade; trail is wet and slippery — use caution

• Summer: Reduced flow but still impressive; the old-growth forest is lush and cool; a popular escape from inland heat

• Fall: Flow returning by October; old-growth forest turns beautiful with fall light; less crowded than summer

• Winter: Highest water volume; the most dramatic display of the falls; trail conditions are very slippery — experienced hikers only

Nearby Attractions

• Elk Creek Falls (barrier-free 0.4-mile trail nearby)

• Powers, Oregon

• South Fork Coquille River (swimming holes, gold panning)

• Sru Lake Campground

• Gold Beach and the Southern Oregon Coast

References

• Links:

  • USFS – Coquille River Falls Trail #1257

  • Oregon Discovery – Coquille River Falls

  • AllTrails – Coquille River Falls Trail

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest