McDowell Creek Falls

10/4/24

Nestled away in the hills near the Willamette National Forest, McDowell Creek Falls is a hidden treasure of the Willamette Valley. This loop is quite short, but provides some of the most breathtaking views in the area. In a span of about 45 minutes, hikers experience the serenity of cascade waterfalls and mossy forests.

As is the case wit many PNW hikes, it is very muddy in the rainy season (which is the majority of the year here in Oregon), so be prepared with some good boots. If it has not rained in a few weeks than tennis shoes would be suitable. The loop is a total of 1.6 mi (2.6 km) and there is an elevation gain of 295 ft (90 m). The first section of the hike has a couple relatively steep hills, but overall, it is a pretty easy hike.

As an added bonus, there is a small hidden trail right after the lower bridge that leads right behind the Royal Terrace Falls. Keep in mind that this trail is not currently maintained, so be aware of erosion.

One of my favorite things about the hike is how the scenery and lighting changes as you go deeper into the forest. Even during a bright, sunny day, it will be dark in the center of the forest when you reach Majestic Falls. To show this phenomenon, I have divided the following photos into three sections.

Entering the Forest