Butte Creek Falls Trail: Current Access & Hiking Guide

by | Apr 28, 2019 | Adventures, Featured, News, Photography, Things To Do, Travel, Western Oregon

Upper Butte Creek Falls Oregon
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Important access update

Check the official trail report before driving to Butte Creek Falls

Butte Creek is appealing because two waterfalls sit within a compact forest outing: the main falls and Upper Butte Creek Falls. When the authorized route is open, the guide dataset rates both as easy, short-walk destinations, but the remote gravel approach and changing closures are part of the trip.
This is not a place to improvise around gates, signs, damaged trail, or a closure. If the official report does not clearly show your intended access as open, choose Silver Falls State Park or McDowell Creek Falls instead.
Open the complete waterfall guideBuild my waterfall day

Plan before you drive

  • Obey every closure, gate, and posted restriction. Do not create a route around a damaged or closed segment.
  • Expect gravel forest roads and limited service; carry offline directions and turn around if road conditions exceed your vehicle or comfort level.
  • Keep well back from cliff edges and wet basalt, especially with children or dogs.

The two waterfall stops

Mileage is modest, but wet rock, steep edges, seasonal road conditions, and the closure status matter more than the number on a trail app.
Easy1.1 miles round tripShort walk

Butte Creek Falls

Butte Creek Falls is a public waterfall destination near Scotts Mills, set in the green western Cascade foothills. The visit is best understood as a 1.1-mile round-trip short walk rather than a stop measured only by waterfall height.
Plan for: Some trails in the Butte Creek Falls area remain closed; check the current ODF trail report
Easy1.3 miles round tripShort walk

Upper Butte Creek Falls

Upper Butte Creek Falls is a public waterfall destination near Scotts Mills, set in the green western Cascade foothills. The visit is best understood as a 1.3-mile round-trip short walk rather than a stop measured only by waterfall height.
Plan for: Some trails in the Butte Creek Falls area remain closed; check the current ODF trail report

Reliable alternatives nearby

These managed destinations provide a better fallback when Butte Creek access is uncertain. Check their official pages too.
Easy1 miles round tripShort walk

South Falls

South Falls is a public waterfall destination near Silverton, set in the temperate rainforest canyons of Silver Falls State Park. The visit is best understood as a 1-mile round-trip short walk rather than a stop measured only by waterfall height.
Easy0.6 miles round tripShort walk

Majestic Falls

Majestic Falls is a public waterfall destination near Lebanon, set inside McDowell Creek Falls County Park’s mossy basalt canyon. The visit is best understood as a 0.6-mile round-trip short walk rather than a stop measured only by waterfall height.

Before you go

Waterfall conditions are not live. Check the official land manager, weather, road conditions, and wildfire information on the day of travel. Stay on established routes, keep back from wet rock and cliff edges, and leave every place as you found it.
Planning information reviewed August 30, 2026.

The original That Oregon Life field guide

Updated August 2026: Butte Creek Falls and Upper Butte Creek Falls form a short forest outing near Scotts Mills, but access has been disrupted by wildfire and windstorm damage. Some trails and roads in the Butte Creek Falls area remain closed. Check the Oregon Department of Forestry trail-status page before leaving, obey every gate and closure, and do not try to improvise a route around blocked roads.

When the authorized route is open, the outing links two waterfalls in roughly a mile of hiking through the Santiam State Forest. Use this guide with our dedicated pages for Butte Creek Falls and Upper Butte Creek Falls, then explore more options in our Oregon hiking guide and Oregon waterfall guide.

Upper Butte Creek Falls

Upper Butte Creek Falls drops about 20 feet over a basalt ledge into a shaded pool. Enjoy it only from the established trail and viewpoints. Wet rock, steep ledges and cold water make scrambling behind or near the falls dangerous, and an apparent path is not proof that an area is open or safe.

Walking behind Upper Butte Creek Falls (Danielle Denham / thepdxphotographer)

The taller waterfall, downstream, Butte Creek Falls, is not far and absolutely breathtaking.

Lower Butte Creek Falls (Photo by Danielle Denham / thepdxphotographer)

Butte Creek Falls

The road to Butte Creek Falls above Scotts Mills (wakiwon / flickr)

Facilities, road conditions and trail maintenance can change with restoration work. Do not assume restrooms, campground facilities or the full loop are available; verify the current status with ODF before the drive.

Spring runoff can make the waterfalls especially powerful, while autumn brings color and slick leaves. In every season, stay back from canyon edges and keep children close.

Plan your Butte Creek Falls hike

  • Access: Check ODF first; some Butte Creek Falls-area trails remain closed.
  • Distance: Roughly 1 to 1.1 miles when the authorized waterfall route is fully open.
  • Difficulty: Short, but not risk-free; expect uneven tread, steep grades and exposed drop-offs.
  • Roads: Forest-road conditions can change. Download official directions before leaving and do not rely on old coordinates.
  • Services: Cell coverage and facilities are limited. Carry water, layers and a basic emergency kit.

The compact route passes through a lush forest and reaches dramatic viewpoints above the falls. Short mileage does not make the cliffs harmless: remain on the maintained tread, avoid wet rock near the brink and turn around if a closure or damaged section blocks the route.

Butte Creek

Photo by Danielle Denham (thepdxphotographer)

Families may enjoy the short distance when the trail is open, but adults should keep children within arm’s reach near every canyon edge and waterfall viewpoint.

Current access and directions

The 2019 Crooked Finger Road directions and coordinates previously published here are no longer reliable and have been removed. Use the current route and status published by the Oregon Department of Forestry. If a gate, road or trail is closed, turn around rather than routing around it.

Guidebooks that cover this hike

  • Wild in the Willamette edited by Lorraine Anderson with Abby Phillips Metzger
  • Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain

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Written By Tyler James

Tyler James, founder of That Oregon Life, is a true Oregon native whose love for his state runs deep. Since the inception of the blog in 2013, his unbridled passion for outdoor adventures and the natural beauty of Oregon has been the cornerstone of his work. As a father to two beautiful children, Tyler is always in pursuit of new experiences to enrich his family’s life. He curates content that not only reflects his adventures but also encourages others to set out and create precious memories in the majestic landscapes of Oregon. Tyler's vision and guidance are integral to his role as publisher and editor, shaping the blog into a source of inspiration for exploring the wonders of Oregon.

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