Toketee Falls is a popular waterfall in southwestern Oregon. The trail is heavily trafficked and popular for it’s double-decker stack of water falls that plunge into turquoise blue water.

Toketee Falls Hiking Trail Guide

With almost one million acres of forest (983,129 to be exact), Umpqua National Forest is one place that doesn’t disappoint. The forest stretches from just north of Crater Lake National Park and spans to the western edges of the southern Cascade ranges. Within its boundaries are an abundance of culture, lakes, waterfalls, enchanting forests, and snow-capped volcanic domes.

The trail leading to Toketee Falls is moderate at most but the views are post-card perfect. The trail winds 0.8 miles out and back through a mix-conifer forest along the North Umpqua River. Along the trail there will several views of the river gorge as it flows west to eventually from the Umpqua River. The Umpua River flows over one hundred miles in length into the Pacific Ocean and is a significant drainage source for the southwestern Cascade region.

The final portion of the trail leads up a wooden stair case of which the Forest Service states is two hundred stairs. The culmination of the trail overlooks the river gorge and a two tiered plunging waterfall.  The upper portion descends forty feet and the lower forms an eighty foot descent down a volcanic basalt gorge. The lower tier forms a turqoise punchbowl at the bottom making for a breathtaking view
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On A Personal Note:

This is a beautiful waterfall and popular for a good reason. The Forest Service states that there are two hundred stairs that lead up the wooden staircase to the top. My wife and I counted them on the way back and our count didn’t match up with the total. So don’t fear, the elevation gain is minimal and definitely not daunting

The trail does end at a wooden viewing platform. However, a simple google search of this waterfall will turn up photos along the base of the river. The Forest Service discourages people from veering down the gorge to the river. There have been rescues that have taken place because of people wondering off the trail. Please remember to practiceLeave No Trace Principles when visiting nature. This includes staying on trail.

Looking for two other short waterfall hikes in the area? Try Clearwater or Whitehorse Falls. These two falls have short trails and even camping options.

Do you have any updates to the hiking trail or want to share your hike/pictures? Please leave a comment below.

Sources:

1. N.a. “Toketee Falls Trail #1495.” Umpqua National Forest. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umpqua/null/recarea/?recid=63632&actid=50. Accessed 1 June 2020.
2. N.a. “About The Forest.” Umpqua National Forest. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. href=”https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/umpqua/about-forest. Accessed 1 June 2020.

  • Overall Difficulty: 40% 40%
  • Overall Views: 100% 100%
Toketee Falls Trail Quick Facts:
  • Max Elevation: 2,443 feet.
  • Elevation Gain: 111 feet.
  • Estimated Distance: 0.8 miles.
  • My Actual Distance: 0.8 miles.
  • Estimated Time: 30-90 mintes.
  • My Time: 34 minutes.
Toketee Falls Trail Directions:
Open in maps. Toketee Falls is located off Highway 138 also known as the North Umpqua Highway. On the north side of the road there is a turnoff for Forest Road 34 where Toketee Falls is located. Shortly after the turnoff will be a small parking area on the left hand side. Parking can fill up because of the fall’s popularity. There are no day use fees for visiting this site. Although this is a national forest an Annual Northwest Forest Pass or an America The Beautiful Pass is not required.
Toketee Falls Trail Pictures:
Who Toketee Falls Trail Is For:
Novice Hikers: This is a great hike for novice hikers. The amount of beauty that can be seen with such ease makes this hike a great option. The only problem would be those with physical limitations from going up the staircase towards the end.  

Advanced Hikers: This is not a difficult hike but the views are worth it. If you have more time, group some of the other shorter waterfall hikes in the area together with this one. 

Expert Hikers: Same as above.  

It’s always a good idea to be aware of what type of hiking level you’re at.

Best Time Of Year To Hike Toketee Falls:
There is no bad time of year to view this waterfall depending on what you’re looking for. This is an area that experiences a full four seasons with warm summers and cold winters. The Pacific Northwest has beautiful conifer forests for a reason: there is ample rain. The bulk of the rainfall happens from September to May. The peak of that happens from late fall to early spring. Although this area is just under three thousand feet of elevation, it is high enough for cold winter storms to drop ample feet of snow.  There can also be ice along the trail. 

Late spring to early summer is probably the best time of year to view these falls not only for weather reasons but it’s also when the creek is at its highest levels. Spring and early summer is when new growth is abounding from the plants. All that being said, don’t let the seasons stop you from visiting this waterfall.

It’s always a good idea to check the weather prior to hiking.

Toketee Falls Trail Conditions:
This trail is very short and in great condition. The majority of this trail runs along loose soil and in some parts rocky basalt rock. The last part of the trail features a wooden staircase that leads out to a viewing platform overlooking the falls and river gorge. The trail is short and almost immediately leads straight up in elevation from the parking lot to the falls.

There is no poison oak along the trail. However, any meandering done off the trail should be done with eye open for leaves of three. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes during the warmer months. The elevation is low enough here to provide the warmer temperatures that are suitable to their habitat. That being said, because of how forested the area is, they’re not likely.