From towering mountains to traverse to lush forests to discover, this region is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who love exploring all nature offers. Among its many natural wonders, the waterfalls in Marion County are incredibly exquisite, standing out as captivating displays of raw beauty and untamed power. They’re scattered all throughout the county, cascading down rugged cliffs in magnificent waves while offering adventurers mesmerizing and awe-inspiring views of their power and beauty.
Abiqua Falls
Crooked Finger Road NE, Scotts Mills
Marion County’s near-perfect, free-falling waterfall, Abiqua Falls, is a must-see for waterfall chasers. At a height of 92 feet, set amid a spectacular basaltic amphitheater and framed by some of the best examples of columnar jointing found in western Oregon. It truly is a stunning work of nature. The basaltic bedrock has allowed various shades of moss and lichen to flourish in the canyon.
One section of the walls is stained in a bright orangeish-red by the growth in a similarly unique fashion to that of Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. The falls are part of the same geological formation as the waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, the crown jewel of the Oregon State Parks system. Be prepared as the hike is a bit rough, but the view of Abiqua Falls as it plunges into a massive splash pool at the bottom is a breathtaking reward at the end of the journey.
Butte Creek Falls
Cf 400 Road, Scotts Mills
Located just southeast of Scotts Mills is Butte Creek Falls, a gorgeous 78-foot waterfall that highlights the Butte Creek Falls trail system. The view makes it even more worthwhile as it is viewed from atop a rock promontory, jutting 150 feet above Butte Creek, which makes a wide 180-degree turn around the obstacle. From there, the trail continues down the ledge, eventually reaching the base of the falls. Flowering trees can be seen adorning the basin in the spring months, some of which stand at perfect locations to frame the waterfall.
To get to the falls, follow Crooked Finger Road in Scotts Mills for 11 and a half miles, then turn left onto Road 400, signed for Butte Creek Falls. It’s only an additional two miles from there to the trailhead.
Double Falls
You won’t want to miss the tallest waterfall in Silver Falls State Park as you plan your visit to the park. At 184 feet, Double Falls is located on the west foothills where Mount Hood National Forest meets with the Middle Santiam Wilderness. Its regarded as the best of a handful of tributary waterfalls that can be found along the Trail of Ten Falls. The falls feature two distinct dropping points, one at 43 feet and another at 141 feet. When local photographer June Drake discovered the falls in the late 1880s, she sufficiently dubbed them Double Falls for its two-step form.
Henline Falls
While exploring beautiful Marion County, specifically Henline Creek, in the early 1970s, Salem resident and outdoor enthusiast Maynard Drawson discovered nearly a dozen distinct and previously unknown waterfalls along Henline Creek. Recent efforts by waterfall hunters of today from the Portland area have brought more attention to these falls in the journey to find them all, making Henline Creek one of the best waterfall-hunting destinations in the Oregon Cascades. So far, the biggest and best is Henline Falls, a broad, curtain-type fall that drops 126 feet over the side of a narrow alcove.
However, what truly makes the falls unique is the disconnect one may encounter while visiting the falls during the wet season, when it is at its most powerful, versus the lacy, delicate falls they’ll find during the dry season. This feature determines if the falls can be viewed easily by visitors, as when the water is high, so much spray blasts out from the falls that attempting to cross the creek to the spot where all-encompassing views can be seen is treacherous.
Sullivan Creek Falls
Located in the Little North Santiam River recreation area is a tiered waterfall known as Sullivan Creek Falls. At 200 feet tall, this waterfall is a unique adventure. You can scramble up the falls to explore the area above it and view the other tiers. At the bottom, the stream crashes down the final steps of the series of cascades into a pool immediately adjacent to the road, offering an excellent opportunity for wading and cooling off in the summer. Be warned, though, as these crystal-clear waters are quite cold. The waterfall is easy to access and located directly off forest road NF-2207, making it an easy and fun adventure.
Of course, this is just a short list of many mesmerizing waterfalls cascading through Marion County, with even more beautiful falls in Oregon.
