Overview

• Location: Tillamook County (Yamhill County border), Siuslaw National Forest (near Beaver)

• Waterfall Type: Plunge

• Height: ~112–124 feet (34–38 m)

• Trail Distance: ~1.6 miles round-trip via Niagara Falls Trail #1379 (accessed past Niagara Falls)

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Winter and spring; flows diminish in summer

History & Background

Pheasant Creek Falls is a dramatic 112–124-foot plunge waterfall at the end of the Niagara Falls Trail #1379 in the Siuslaw National Forest, a quarter mile past Oregon’s Niagara Falls in the remote Coast Range hills above the Nestucca River valley. For many years, Pheasant Creek Falls was mistakenly labeled as Niagara Falls in hiking guidebooks, on Forest Service materials, and across the internet — an understandable confusion given that neither waterfall is named on topographic maps and the stronger, more visually arresting Pheasant Creek Falls drew more visitor attention. The Siuslaw National Forest has clarified that the correct name is Pheasant Creek Falls, named for Pheasant Creek on which it flows. A picnic table at the end of the trail marks the viewpoint for the falls, which can also be accessed by a short spur trail to creek level for a closer perspective. The falls and its companion Niagara Falls make for one of the Oregon Coast Range’s finest double-waterfall destinations.

Geology

Pheasant Creek Falls plunges straight down 112–124 feet over a sheer oceanic basalt cliff at approximately 1,100 feet elevation in the Siuslaw National Forest, dropping into a deep splash pool in the narrow canyon below. Unlike the spreading horsetail of nearby Niagara Falls, Pheasant Creek Falls is a more concentrated free-fall plunge — the full force of Pheasant Creek launching off a clean vertical ledge. The surrounding Coast Range basalt is draped in the dense moss communities typical of this extraordinarily wet section of the Oregon Coast Range, where annual precipitation can exceed 100 inches.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Tillamook, OR (~20 miles northwest via Hwy 101 and Blaine Road); Beaver, OR (~11 miles northwest)

• Trail Information:

  • Same approach as Niagara Falls: from Beaver via Blaine Road and Upper Nestucca River Road to Forest Roads 8533 and 8533-131; hike Niagara Falls Trail #1379 approximately 0.8 miles to Niagara Falls, then continue 0.25 miles further to the Pheasant Creek Falls picnic table viewpoint

  • The trail descends all the way in — the return is entirely uphill; a short spur from the picnic table leads to creek level for a closer view; Northwest Forest Pass required; same access road cautions as Niagara Falls apply

• Parking:

  • Small trailhead parking at the end of FR 8533-131; Northwest Forest Pass required; high-clearance vehicle recommended for access road

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; steep return trail and rough access road

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Peak flows; the full plunge is at its most powerful; trillium blooms along the trail

• Summer: Flows diminish significantly — check conditions before the long drive

• Fall: Flows returning with October rains; quiet and uncrowded

• Winter: Peak flows; most dramatic season; rain gear essential; trail can be slippery

Nearby Attractions

• Niagara Falls (same trail — 0.25 miles before Pheasant Creek Falls)

• Beaver, Oregon

• Cape Lookout State Park (~15 miles west)

• Tillamook Forest Center

• Hebo Lake Campground

References

• Links:

  • USFS – Niagara Falls Trail #1379 (serves both falls)

  • Oregon Hikers – Niagara Falls Hike

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest