Butte Creek Falls
- Hike
- 1.1 mi round trip
- Road
- Gravel
- Permit
- Not required
Entry fee: No day-use fee. Butte Creek Falls is a waterfall basin in Marion County, Oregon.
Closures and warnings
Basalt around the falls is extremely slippery; do not jump into plunge pools. Steep drop-offs at Lower Falls viewpoint. As of September 28, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Waterfall basin |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Jumping | Prohibited |
| Current | Mild |
| Water clarity | Water stays cold year-round; plunge pools can be hard to see into. |
Access
| Hike | 1.1 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Gravel |
| Road note | Final approach is rough gravel Family Camp Road with forks signed to Butte Creek Falls; roads reopened after 2020 Labor Day Fire hazard-tree work. |
| Parking | Small trailhead lot beyond Butte Creek Campground; pit toilet at trailhead. |
| Fee | No day-use fee |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Open year-round when access roads are passable |
| Managed by | Oregon Department of Forestry (Santiam State Forest) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Vault toilets at trailhead and at Butte Creek Campground about 0.5 mi upstream. |
Rules
| Camping | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Butte Creek Falls open?
Basalt around the falls is extremely slippery; do not jump into plunge pools. Steep drop-offs at Lower Falls viewpoint. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Open year-round when access roads are passable.
Can you swim at Butte Creek Falls?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Butte Creek Falls. A mild current is reported here.
How long is the hike to Butte Creek Falls?
It's a 1.1 mi hike round trip. The road in is gravel. Final approach is rough gravel Family Camp Road with forks signed to Butte Creek Falls; roads reopened after 2020 Labor Day Fire hazard-tree work. Parking: Small trailhead lot beyond Butte Creek Campground; pit toilet at trailhead.
Do you need a reservation for Butte Creek Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Butte Creek Falls?
The fee is No day-use fee.
What facilities are at Butte Creek Falls?
Restrooms. Vault toilets at trailhead and at Butte Creek Campground about 0.5 mi upstream.
What are the rules at Butte Creek Falls?
Camping is allowed.
Nearby
Nearby
Sources
4
- https://oregondiscovery.com/butte-creek-falls-trail (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.fee / amenities.restrooms)
- https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/travel/outdoors/2024/06/17/popular-waterfall-hike-to-butte-creek-falls-reopens-friday/74128758007/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi)
- https://oregondiscovery.com/lower-butte-creek-falls (accessed September 28, 2026; backs swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / jumpingProhibited / waterClarityNote, rules.camping, hazardNote / access.roadSurface)
- https://oregondiscovery.com/upper-butte-creek-falls (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterbodyName / access.seasonalClosure)
More: Oregon swimming holes