Little Falls - Steamboat Creek

• Little Falls is a beautiful small waterfall in the Umpqua National Forest
• A popular summer destination with swimming and cliff jumping

SwimmingCliff jumpingHiking OregonBoatingPicnickingCamping

Little Falls on Steamboat Creek is a beautiful small waterfall within the Umpqua National Forest, 40 miles east of Roseburg. This is one of the many favorite summer destinations on Steamboat and Canton Creeks - tributaries of the North Umpqua River. Little Falls is located 0.7 miles upstream of Canton Creek Campground and 5 miles downstream of Steamboat Falls.

In summer, when the water level is low, the creek breaks into a few segments and pours a short distance over the edge of a basalt cliff into a deep, dark-green hole.

A limited unpaved parking area is located along the road.

Little Falls - Steamboat Creek

Things to Do at Little Falls on Steamboat Creek

Swimming and Cliff Jumping

The rock cliffs and huge boulders are great platforms for sunbathing and cliff jumping. The rocks and cliffs are easy to climb. The creek's relatively warm water in summer is comfortable for dipping. There are small and shallow pools with rapids above the waterfall. The deep stretch of the creek below the falls is great for longer swimming, but beware of jumpers.

Cautions: Cliff jumping and slippery rocks pose risks; please use caution and make safe decisions.

Fishing

Because Steamboat Creek is a significant steelhead spawning ground, fishing is not allowed.

Little Falls - Cliff Jumping

Little Falls and Steamboat Creek: Camping, Lodging & Vacation Rentals

There is no camping at the creek. Canton Creek Campground is the closest campground, 1 mile west. It has 5 campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, as well as a covered pavilion for day visitors with picnic tables and grills. The campground has a bathroom with a flush toilet and running water, but it is not wheelchair accessible. There are two water spigots at both ends of the campsite.

Reservation through recreation.gov is highly recommended.

Steamboat Falls Campground is another spot to camp nearby, 5 miles west.

If you are looking for more comfortable accommodations, you can find plenty in Roseburg, 40 miles away.

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long-term stays in Roseburg

Lodging in Roseburg

Little Falls - Cliff Jumping



Little Falls | Facts

Open: Year-round
Managed by: U.S. Forest Service

Amenities: None
Activities: Swimming, cliff jumping, hiking, nature viewing, and photography

Distance from the trailhead: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Free

Elevation (waterfall): 1,200 ft (366 m)

Little Falls is located:

  • 40 miles east of Roseburg
  • 107 miles southeast of Eugene
  • 137 miles north of Medford.

Waterfall Facts
Total height: 8 ft (2.4 m)
Watercourse: Steamboat Creek
Number of drops: Two
Primary form: Segmented Plunges
Seasonality: 12 months

Characteristics
Swimming hole rating: 4 out of 5
Body of Water: Creek
Water quality: Transparent
Current: Light to moderate
Depth: Deep and shallow
Beach: Cliffs, river boulders
Water T° (summer): Cool to warm (68°F in August)

Little Falls - Cliff Jumping- Steamboat Creek

Video



Adventures Nearby

Directions to Little Falls

From Roseburg,

  • Take OR-138 East (Diamond Lake Boulevard) and go about 38.7 miles to Steamboat Creek Road (Forest Service Road 38)
  • Turn left onto Steamboat Creek Road and continue 1.3 miles to a turnout near the falls.

GPS: N 43°21.381' W 122°43.142' | 43.356, -122.719



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.