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Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
770.00 ft (234.70 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
4.40 mi (7.08 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Kentucky Falls Trailhead in the Siuslaw National Forest can be hard to find, but the three amazing waterfalls make it well worth the effort. Less than a half mile from the trailhead you will be rewarded with the first of the three falls, Upper Kentucky Falls. But don't stop there! Continue down another 2 miles through the old-growth forest and you will find twin 100-foot waterfalls: Lower Kentucky Falls and North Fork of the Smith Falls. At the end of the trail you'll find a viewing platform with a bench, which is a perfect spot for lunch and a photo opportunity. If you're feeling adventurous you can leave the viewing platform and head out onto the rocks to get a better view of the falls.

During the summer, keep an eye out for wildflowers and salmon berries. Because the trail is at a higher elevation in the coast range, it's a great place to escape the summer heat of the valley.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Three beautiful waterfalls.

Cons

Remote trailhead.

Trailhead Elevation

1,550.00 ft (472.44 m)

Features

Waterfalls
Bird watching
Wildlife
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Adventures

Central Oregon Coast, Oregon
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Comments

08/11/2018
Probably not a good option if you don't have all wheel drive. If you do, it's absolutely worth the crazy gravel roads.
07/20/2017
Great hike near the coast. I made a video showing this place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adaWW1AgR9g
08/21/2016
Good roads except for a gravel section around a huge clear cut where you look down an wonder how did they do that? Lots of deep pot holes in this section but eventually leads to a narrow paved road that is in good shape. Left turn onto the gravel, right turn onto the second paved road. Google Maps did a pretty good job of getting me to the trail head. Very nice hike on a well maintained trail. Worth every bit of the drive.
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