Home  •   Field Guide  •   Forums  •    Unread Posts  •   Maps  •   Find a Hike!
| Page | Discussion | View source | History | Print Friendly and PDF

Oneonta Falls

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

Oneonta Falls, at the head of Oneonta Gorge (Jeff Statt)
Oneonta Gorge (Jeff Statt)

Description

NOTICE: This destination is closed indefinitely because of damage from the Eagle Creek Fire. Please check the list of Columbia Gorge trail closures before you plan for a hike.

There are four waterfalls on Oneonta Creek and the names have proven difficult to pin down. The lowest falls at the head of Oneonta Gorge, is the one most properly called Oneonta Falls even though that particular name was moved upstream by a cartographer to designate Upper Oneonta Falls. The next one, near the Trail #438 bridge is often called Middle Oneonta Falls. Next upstream, and very hard to reach after the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, is Upper Oneonta Falls, designated erroneously as "Oneonta Falls" on topographical maps. Finally, there's Triple Falls.

Lower Oneonta Gorge is not accessible by trail. Rather you must walk up the creek bed, over a large and perhaps unstable log jam, through the gorge, and up to your waist (or even torso depending on your height and the time of year) in water until you finally see your prize.

Lower Oneonta Falls is worth the small challenge it takes to get in there, but I suggest you go on a summer weekday... the water is too cold during other seasons, and the gorge gets very busy on the weekends. You'll definitely want your solitude for this one!

More Links


Contributors

Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

Hiking is a potentially risky activity, and the entire risk for users of this field guide is assumed by the user, and in no event shall Trailkeepers of Oregon be liable for any injury or damages suffered as a result of relying on content in this field guide. All content posted on the field guide becomes the property of Trailkeepers of Oregon, and may not be used without permission.