If you're looking for a short easy hike with a nice payoff at the end, then the trail to Pearsony Falls in southern Oregon fits the bill nicely. Well shaded and dog friendly, this is the perfect spot to dip your toes in the water and take a leisurely stroll to a mossy waterfall wonderland.
Pearsony Falls Near Prospect, Oregon
The sound of water gently cascading down over rocks and through mossy boulders is one of my favorite things about this spot. It's a lovely place to sit and relax for a while on a hot day since the area is shaded and the air coming up off the water is crisp and cool. At times it feels more like a magic hobbit hollow than a real life place, and since the spot is fairly easy to get to, it's a great waterfall to return to again and again.
You'll find Pearasony Falls just a stone's throw away from Prospect, Oregon (about an hour from Medford or an hour and 45 minutes from Klamath Falls).
This pretty little fall cascades down 12 feet over mossy rocks and fallen logs. The waterfall itself is wide, and is frequently photographed as two separate waterfalls since it splits to go around a patch of rocks and trees. Here you can see a view of Pearsony Falls from the left side:
And here is a view of the right side of Pearsony Falls:
The right side also splits to go around a spit of rock, and is the portion of the falls that is most often photographed.
Tip: To get the entire waterfall in one photo, you'll need a wide angle lens or you'll need to stitch photos together into a panoramic shot.
Hiking To Pearsony Falls
You'll start your journey to Pearsony Falls at a parking lot off of Mill Creek Drive in Prospect, Oregon. The parking lot isn't very well marked and is inside what was once Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint.
You'll take a short paved trail past the restroom, cross a road, and then head down a bark trail and an old dirt road. The walk to the falls is short and you'll reach your destination after about .2 miles. The nature trail meanders through old growth Douglas Fir trees and along Mill Creek and is a great trail to walk with kids or with your dog on a leash.
If you follow the trail past Pearsony Falls, you'll end up at the Avenue Of Boulders.
Here, hundreds of massive boulders line the river bed with water coursing through them. These big rocks were once thrown from Mt. Mazama when it erupted and created Crater Lake.
Over the years they've been carried down river and worn smooth by the force of water and time.
The Pearsony Falls trail is open year round, though it may be inaccessible in winter due to snow, and too muddy to traverse during wet months.
Tip: We recommend visiting at the end of spring or start of summer when there's plenty of water coming down over the fall. A visit in the fall can mean less water cascading over the fall, but bright orange foliage. Visits at both times of year are peaceful and can yield pretty photographs.
One of the really cool things about a trip to Pearsony Falls is that just down the road you can hike to the taller Mill Creek and Barr Creek Falls. If you're just visiting Pearsony Falls and the Avenue Of Boulders, we recommend 35 minutes just to hike the trail, or an hour if you'd like to take your time or sit and stay for a while at the falls. We recommend three hours if you also plan on heading to the trailhead for Mill Creek and Barr Creek Falls. You should make sure to have a tank full of gas before you head out on your adventure, and to pack a lunch and snacks.
Note: You should not climb on the boulders in or around the river. Hiking and exploring are at-your-own-risk activities. When out hiking and exploring, please follow the seven easy principals of Leave No Trace.
