Overview

• Location: Marion County, Cascade foothills (Santiam State Forest)

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~78 feet (24 m)

• Trail Distance: ~0.7-mile loop trail (just over 1 mile round-trip including both falls)

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round; best flow in late winter and spring

History & Background

Butte Creek Falls is one of the hidden gems of the northern Oregon Cascades foothills, a stunning 78-foot horsetail waterfall within the Santiam State Forest managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry. The Butte Creek drainage flows through land that has been shaped by over a century of timber management, transitioning from old-growth logging in the early 20th century to sustained yield forestry today. The trailhead also provides access to Upper Butte Creek Falls, where visitors can walk behind the curtain of water into a small cavern—a feature that makes this a memorable destination for families and waterfall enthusiasts alike. The falls are located southeast of Scotts Mills via a network of forest roads.

Geology

Butte Creek Falls drops 78 feet over layered volcanic basalt in the western Cascade foothills of Marion County. The creek has incised deeply into these basaltic rocks as it drains from the forested highlands toward the Willamette Valley floor, creating the tall, narrow horsetail profile seen at the falls. The rocky promontory above the falls provides a dramatic overlook 150 feet above Butte Creek, which makes a wide 180-degree bend around it. The surrounding Santiam State Forest terrain, at approximately 1,800 feet elevation, supports a lush mix of Douglas fir, western red cedar, big-leaf maple, and vine maple.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Scotts Mills, OR; Silverton, OR (~15 miles northwest)

• Trail Information:

  • From Scotts Mills, take Maple Grove Road 7.2 miles to Sawtell Road, turn right, and follow signs to the trailhead; a 0.7-mile loop trail descends to viewpoints of Butte Creek Falls and leads to Upper Butte Creek Falls (where you can walk behind the falls)

  • The trail involves a steep descent to the creek canyon with some slippery sections; the viewpoint above Butte Creek Falls is on a rocky promontory 150 feet above the creek—exercise caution near the edge

• Parking:

  • Small trailhead parking area with a pit toilet; the last several miles of the access road are unpaved gravel

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; steep canyon trail with slippery sections

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Peak water flow; flowering trees bloom in the canyon basin in April and May; wildflowers in the understory

• Summer: Reduced flow but still scenic; pleasant forest temperatures; popular for swimming below Upper Butte Creek Falls

• Fall: Excellent fall foliage from maple and vine maple; quieter crowds; flows increasing by late October

• Winter: High water flow; trail can be very slippery; road generally passable but check conditions

Nearby Attractions

• Upper Butte Creek Falls (walk-behind cavern)

• Abiqua Falls (~8 miles away)

• Scotts Mills County Park

• Silver Falls State Park (~20 miles east)

• Molalla River State Park

References

• Links:

  • Oregon Department of Forestry – Butte Creek Falls

  • Northwest Waterfall Survey – Butte Creek Falls

  • AllTrails – Butte Creek Falls Trail

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest