The Umpqua National Forest in Southern Oregon makes you feel like you’ve entered a magical realm, and you half expect to see a fairy peeking around a tree trunk as you hike through it. And, all along the beautiful Umpqua River you’ll find sparkling waterfalls of all shapes and sizes.

Clearwater Falls may not be as impressive as nearby Toketee Falls or Watson Falls, but what it lacks in grandeur it makes up for in offering a peaceful, up-close and cozy experience. Because it’s not as big as its more popular neighbors, it’s usually less crowded which means you can enjoy the small cascading waterfall as you commune with nature. The falls are only about 30 feet high and are spring fed, so unlike some other falls it doesn’t dry up in the summer.

This is a great hike at any time of the year, but be prepared to encounter snow in the winter since the falls sits at 4,210 feet elevation (which makes it beautiful in the colder months but the snow can be deep!). It’s also a great option in the hot summer days because the dense tree canopy makes it about 10 degrees cooler and provides a great respite from the heat. If you’re trying to avoid the bad weather, the best time to visit is May through September. And in an obvious warning for some, if you do go in the summer months, be prepared for mosquitos.

From the parking lot and campground, the trail to the falls is a little over .1 miles and parallels Clearwater River, so nearly anyone can do it. Even though it’s not paved, you may even be able to take a wheelchair all the way to the falls since it’s so flat and well-graded. It’s great for nature lovers of all kinds, but since the trail is short, it’s especially good for those with mobility issues or little kids. You can climb up to the top of the falls or wade around in the pool at the bottom, but water shoes are recommended since it’s rocky and can be slippery.

There’s also a very nice campground that only costs $10 per night, and the falls are so close that you can actually hear the water from your site. However, there are only nine campsites and all the spots are first come first serve. That said, you can often find a site here even on the weekends, and one of the reasons it’s such a great spot is that it’s not overrun with people. There are also a few campsites above the falls, but note you’ll need to take forest road 4785 to get there. 

The waters of the Umpqua and around the falls are super clear and photographers will love the moss that grows on the rocks and logs that pile up at the base of the falls, creating a striking image no matter what time of year you visit. While you're in the area, you can also head down to Diamond Lake or if you’re feeling especially ambitious, go all the way to Crater Lake, Oregon’s one and only national park. If you want to keep it waterfall-focused, make a day of hopping around to four different falls and include Toketee, Watson and Whitehorse. 

How to get there

• From Roseburg: Take OR-138 E for 69 miles, then turn left on Clearwater Falls Road
• From Bend: Take US-97 S for 74.5 miles, then turn right on OR-138 W for 31 miles, then right on Clearwater Falls Road

The parking lot has clean, vault bathrooms and a few picnic tables, so you can relax and take your time enjoying the area. If you’re just going for the day, there’s no parking fee.