Let’s discover two of the best waterfalls in central Oregon: Koosah Falls and Sahalie Falls.
Located in the magical Willamette National Forest, Sahalie and Koosah Falls draw thousands of people each year.
In this article, we’ll help you plan your visit including how to get there, when to go, and fun adventures nearby.
After several visits ourselves, we’ll also include our tips to help you make the most of the incredible Sahalie and Koosah Falls!
Sahalie and Koosah Falls Overview
These two beautiful waterfalls tumble down rocky cliffs formed by 3,000-year-old basaltic lava flows and are the only major waterfalls in the area.
Both falls are about 70 feet high and you can easily appreciate the raw energy and power created by these stunning cascades, especially during high flow events.
A variety of accessible viewpoints allow visitors diverse and up-close perspectives, and there are several hiking trails worth exploring.
Sahalie Falls is under a half mile walk upstream of Koosah Falls, and a pleasant trail parallels the McKenzie River to connect them.
The falls are located at about 3,300 feet of elevation and they do get some snow in the winter!
How to Get to Sahalie and Koosah Falls
These falls are located very close to Highway 126, with no dirt road required.
The table below shows the typical drive times to these central Oregon waterfalls from various starting points.
| Starting Point | Typical Travel Time | Distance |
| Portland | 2 hrs 30 min | 140 miles |
| Salem | 1 hr 45 min | 90 miles |
| Corvallis | 1 hr 50 min | 80 miles |
| Eugene | 1 hr 20 min | 70 miles |
| Bend | 1 hr 15 min | 60 miles |
From the highway, you’ll see signage indicating two separate trailheads, one for each waterfall.
Where to Park
You can park at either trailhead and walk less than half a mile along the trail to the other. There are restrooms at both parking lots.
On crowded days, which are typically summer weekends, the Sahalie Falls parking lot can fill up, but there are usually lots of spots at the Koosah Falls trailhead.
Our tip: Learn about the geology and hydrology of this area from the signage at the Sahalie Falls trailhead.
Accessibility
The falls are only a minute or two walk from their respective trailheads, and the pathways are fairly flat.
In fact, these are some of the most accessible waterfalls (meaning minimal hiking) in central Oregon, along with Tumalo Falls and Paulina Falls.
Permits
No permits are required to park or hike at Koosah or Sahalie Falls trailheads.
When to Visit Koosah and Sahalie Falls
Perennial flow of water in the McKenzie River keeps these falls raging year-round, which means you can visit anytime!
That said, late spring, summer, and early fall are the most pleasant in terms of weather.
Also, the flows are typically highest in the spring and early summer, when snow is melting rapidly, or during heavy rain events.
Of course, we can’t deny the special frigid beauty of seeing this forested landscape covered in snow and ice.
If you do visit in winter, be aware the roads and parking areas are not maintained for snow and ice.
We always recommend doing some basic research and planning before you go, to ensure awareness of any wildfires, road closures, or other obstacles.
Check out the resources section at the end of this article.
Sahalie and Koosah Falls Trail
One of the best ways to enjoy this special area is via the Sahalie and Koosah Falls Trail.
This popular and mellow loop is just under 2.5 miles, with about 360 feet of elevation gain.
Start at either trailhead and choose a direction of travel.
We love the unique and engaging views along each turn of this loop and highly recommend the trail to others!
Koosah Falls
Let’s dive deeper into the facts of each waterfall, starting with Koosah Falls.
At a height of just over 70 feet, this single drop waterfall casts white sheets of vertical foam into an energetic freefall.
In the spring and early summer, peak flow events can produce one continuous wall of water, but other times of year the waterfall is segmented into individual streams.
The falls plummet into a large pool that forms the floor of a large amphitheater of rock, offering several unique observing locations.
Our tip: Don’t miss the viewpoint a short walk downstream from the falls! You do have to scramble down a steep slope, but it’s worth it.
The word “Koosah” is a Chinook Jargon word (from a communication structure used by Kalapuya, Molalla, Sahaptain and Chinook peoples) meaning “sky”.
Sahalie Falls
Located upstream of Koosah Falls, Sahalie falls gets its name from the word “Sahalie”, meaning “heaven” or “high” in Chinook Jargon.
Sahalie Falls tumbles over 70 feet from a cliff edge to a small pool. There is an excellent shaded viewing area to take in the raw beauty.
Our tip: Don’t miss the trail that goes to the top of Sahalie Falls. It’s really fun to explore around up there.
Geology and Hydrology of this Area
Formed by volcanic activity, the rock features that create Koosah and Sahalie Falls are solidified basaltic lava flows that are about 3,000 years old.
The McKenzie River flows south from Clear Lake (another epic spot in this area) which is fed by underground springs and mountain snowmelt.
The year-round flow of water makes these waterfalls perennial, which means you can visit any time of year!
Adventures Nearby
The McKenzie River area has so many amazing spots to check out.
In fact, you can spend a day trip or even several days along the western slopes of the central Oregon Cascades and still have more to explore.
Some of our favorite spots near Koosah and Sahalie Falls are listed in the table below.
| Location Nearby | Description |
| Clear Lake | Stunningly clear green-blue water makes this lake perfect for paddling. Enjoy the day use area, campground, and hiking trails. |
| Blue Pool | A spring-fed, ultra-blue pool that should be 100% on your TODO list. An Oregon classic. |
| Belknap Hot Springs | A commercial hot spring with a large soaking pool. Open for day use or stay overnight in a cabin. |
| Dee Wright Observatory | A historic landmark built of lava rock with views of mountain peaks along the scenic McKenzie Highway. |
Click any of the links above to learn more about each location or check out all our articles about central Oregon.
Helpful Resources
Check Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck website for up-to-date road closures and conditions.
Watch Duty is the best resource for current wildfire and air quality data.
It’s always worth checking the official USFS page for Sahalie and Koosah Falls to make sure the area is open.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article helpful in planning your visit to Koosah and Sahalie Falls!
As always, be sure to leave no trace and stay on established trails.
Check out our other articles about central Oregon and other areas in Oregon.
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