Overview

• Location: Douglas County, Siuslaw National Forest (North Fork Smith River, near Reedsport)
• Waterfall Type: Horsetail
• Height: ~125 feet (38 m)
• Trail Distance: ~2–3 miles round-trip via Siuslaw National Forest trail
• Difficulty: Medium
• Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall; roads may be closed in winter

History & Background

North Fork Falls in Douglas County is a 125-foot horsetail on a tributary of the North Fork Smith River in the Siuslaw National Forest, in the same remote section of the southern Oregon Coast Range that also holds the celebrated Kentucky Falls. This portion of the Coast Range — between the Siuslaw and Umpqua watersheds — is among Oregon’s least-visited forested landscapes, a vast expanse of old-growth and second-growth Douglas fir with few roads and fewer visitors. The remote character of North Fork Falls ensures genuine solitude; the long, winding forest road approach alone filters out all but the most determined waterfall seekers.

Geology

North Fork Falls horsetails 125 feet over sheer oceanic basalt at approximately 1,500 feet elevation in the southern Oregon Coast Range. The falls are set in the same geologically ancient Coast Range terrain as nearby Lower and Upper Kentucky Falls — accreted oceanic basalt draped in extraordinary moss and lichen communities fueled by over 100 inches of annual rainfall. The surrounding old-growth Douglas firs with massive diameters are characteristic of this section of the Siuslaw National Forest.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Reedsport, OR (~25 miles southwest via forest roads); Mapleton, OR (~20 miles north)
• Trail Information:
  • Access via Siuslaw National Forest roads in the North Fork Smith River drainage; the same road network that serves Kentucky Falls provides access — confirm current road conditions with the Siuslaw NF before departing
  • High-clearance vehicle recommended for the forest road approach; this is a true off-the-beaten-path destination with no facilities
• Parking:
  • Limited pullout or trailhead parking on a forest service road; Northwest Forest Pass may apply
• Accessibility:
  • Not wheelchair accessible; natural trail surfaces with moderate terrain

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows; old-growth forest vivid green; the southern Coast Range is extraordinarily lush in spring
• Summer: Lower flows; cool old-growth conditions; enjoyable if flows are adequate
• Fall: Flows returning with October rains; quiet season
• Winter: Roads may be closed or require chains; check conditions before traveling

Nearby Attractions

• Lower Kentucky Falls (~5 miles north)
• Upper Kentucky Falls
• North Fork Smith River (swimming)
• Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (~25 miles west)
• Reedsport

References

• Links:
  • Siuslaw National Forest – USFS
  • Travel Oregon – Oregon Coast Range
• Books:
  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb
  • Waterfall Lover’s Guide: Pacific Northwest