Nehalem Falls
Tillamook County, Oregon
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Tillamook County, Oregon
- Access status
- Short trail from a state forest campground to the riverside falls
- The walk
- A short walk from the trail sign; the full riverside loop is 0.9 mile
- Ground & access
- Short trail to river rocks. Anglers' paths lead down steep banks.
Nehalem Falls is a low drop of about 8 feet where the Nehalem River funnels through a narrow chute beside a fish ladder, at the Nehalem Falls Campground in Tillamook State Forest. From the trail sign opposite the day-use pullout, head down toward the river and go left to the rocks above the falls. In the wet season the falls are drowned and look like rapids; in late summer and fall a wide rock ledge is exposed and the drop shows. The trail continues upstream along the river to a short old-growth loop.
Plan your visit
Nehalem Falls Campground day-use pullout on Foss Road, short trail down to the rocks above the falls
Oregon Hikers says the falls are near the trailhead and gives 0.9 mile round trip for the full loop hike, which continues past the falls. No separate falls-only distance is given.
Short trail to river rocks. Anglers' paths lead down steep banks.
Where to start
Day-use pullout opposite the Nehalem Falls trail sign inside the campground. From OR 53, turn onto Miami Foley Road, then left on Foss Road; after 6.8 miles it becomes gravel, and 0.3 mile later turn left into the campground road. In winter, park at the gate.
Timing & water
Open all year per Oregon Hikers. The campground and its restrooms are open in summer; the Oregon Department of Forestry guide lists May to October. The falls show best at lower water in late summer and fall.
Before you go
No day-use fee is mentioned. Campsites are $10 a night.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- Oregon Hikers Field Guide: Nehalem Falls Loop Hike
- Oregon Hikers Field Guide: Nehalem Falls Loop Hike
- Oregon Hikers Field Guide: Nehalem Falls Loop Hike
- Oregon Hikers Field Guide: Nehalem Falls Loop Hike
- Oregon Hikers Field Guide: Nehalem Falls Loop Hike
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Nehalem Falls
- Oregon Department of Forestry: Tillamook State Forest recreation guide
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Blumenthal FallsTrail and beach walk to the lower tier; upper user trails closedTillamook County, OR10.0 miW
- Kilchis FallsPartial guide: roadside falls on rough unmarked forest roads; no parking area describedTillamook County, OR10 miSE
Hug Point FallsBeach walk documented; passable at low tide onlyClatsop County, OR12 miNW- Wilson FallsEstablished trail from Footbridge Trailhead; distance to the falls not given200 ft (61 m) · Tillamook County, OR14 miSE
- Bridge Creek FallsShort stone staircase from the highway to the baseTillamook County, OR15 miSE
- Fern Rock FallsRoadside turnout view documentedTillamook County, OR18 miSE
- Fishhawk FallsResearched walking routeClatsop County, OR18 miNE
- Stafford Falls98 ft (30 m) · Tillamook County, OR19 miE
- University FallsState forest trail to the falls documentedTillamook County, OR20 miSE