Toketee Falls in Oregon is an impressive and majestic waterfall in Oregon that is definitely worth a visit.
The unique rock formations, beautiful cascading water, and magical but manageable hike make this special Oregon waterfall one to put on your list.
We love Toketee Falls and have visited it several times. In this article, we want to share our knowledge and tell you everything you need to know about planning a visit to Toketee Falls.
So pack your sense of adventure and let’s explore Toketee Falls Oregon!
Toketee Falls Oregon Overview
Toketee Falls is an impressive site to witness, and a quintessential Oregon waterfall in the Cascade Mountains, located along Highway 138 and open year round.
There are no fees required and a pit toilet is at the trailhead.
Location
You’ll either drive east on Highway 138 from I5 or west from Highway 97. Either way, Highway 138 is usually in great shape. Remember, you can always check Trip Check to get up to date information on road closures.
Toketee Falls is located in the enchanting Umpqua National Forest and is accessible via Highway 138. The table below shows the drive times to Toketee Falls from cities in Oregon.
| City | Travel Time |
| Bend | 2 hr 15 min |
| Portland | 4 hr |
| Eugene | 2 hr 30 min |
Your GPS usually does a good job with navigating to Toketee Falls, but you can always take the directions below with you. Also, you will probably lose cell service out there.
From Highway 138, turn onto Forest Road 34. This is actually a paved road that is easy to see from the highway. You should also see signs. Continue left at the first intersection onto Toketee Rigdon Road. You will see signage for the Toketee Falls Trailhead on your left.
Toketee Falls Map
Use the map below to get your bearings. You can also expand it in a new window.
The Magic of Toketee Falls
The piercingly blue water tumbles 40 feet in the reach just upstream of the falls. Then, the chaotic water drops over the abrupt edge of a vertical 80-foot drop, organizing itself in freefall.
The sturdy columnar volcanic basalt and hardy pine trees clinging to it serve as an excellent backdrop to the year-round cascade of pristine water source from the melting snow that fell in the Diamond Lake and Lemolo Lake watersheds to the east.
Upon entering the pool below, the high velocity of Toketee Falls creates an intimidating spray, further oxygenating the water as it begins to relax and resume a more horizontal direction.
The Enchanting Toketee Falls Hike
The 0.4 mile hike (one way) to Toketee Falls is both magical and full of suspense. The moss covered rocks and trees welcome you as a visitor to their home just as they do the passing water of the North Umpqua River.
As you progress along the enchanting trail, the water becomes more agitated by the increasingly steep grade, preparing for the drop ahead.
Fortunately for us, the trail has lots of constructed stairs and walkways which make traversing the uneven terrain much easier.
As you near the falls, the hillside steepens abruptly to the left and the ground falls away far below. The total elevation gain of the trail is less than 100 feet.
Hold Your Breath for the Toketee Falls Viewpoint
The walkway brings you out to its furthest point and you are granted an incredible view of Toketee Falls from way above its highest point. This viewpoint is unique among Oregon waterfalls as usually you are below them looking up.
As a result, you get an insightful vantage over the everlasting cycle of falling water, allowing for a special viewing experience.
For the daring, you are able to disembark from the viewing platform in exchange for a challenging, steep scramble down to the water’s edge hundreds of feet below.
The resulting views are equally impressive, but perhaps not worth the effort for some viewers.
Other Helpful Information
There is a pit toilet at the trailhead. There are no fees required and this hike is rarely crowded, though the parking lot is small and could fill up on crowded summer weekends. That said, there are likely many places to park nearby if needed.
Don’t skip an opportunity to visit Umpqua Hot Springs nearby, which is one of the best natural hot springs in Oregon and a place we keep returning to for a soak.
Consider exploring some of the other waterfalls along Highway 138 including Watson Falls, Fall Creek Falls, Slide Creek Falls, White Horse Falls, and Clearwater Falls.
There are also tons of beautiful hiking trails, including the North Umpqua River Trail, which extends upstream of the Umpqua Hot Springs area for many miles.
You can find camping nearby at Toketee Lake Campground, just up the road. 17 sites are available on a first come first serve assignment and the remaining 15 are available for reservation. We love camping here and always do when we visit Toketee Falls and Umpqua Hot Spring.
Conclusion
Toketee Falls are one of the best waterfalls in Oregon. As a result, this magical Oregon waterfall is totally worth a visit.
If you visit Toketee Falls, do your part to preserve this truly special place for future visitors. We always bring a trash bag when we hike so that we can pick up any trash we see left by others.
We hope you found this article helpful in planning your visit to Toketee Falls. You might be interested in our other articles about Central Oregon.
