Toketee Falls – A Stunning Oregon Waterfall with Columnar Basalt Formations

Toketee Falls is a stunning waterfall in Douglas County, Oregon, about 58 miles (93 km) east of Roseburg. It cascades from the North Umpqua River near its confluence with the Clearwater River, creating one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the state.

The river flows through an old-growth forest of Douglas fir, big-leaf maple, Western red cedar, and Pacific yew before plunging over striking columnar basalt formations into a deep pool below. Toketee Falls is a two-tier waterfall with a total drop of 120 feet (37 m) — 40 feet for the upper cascade and 80 for the lower.

The waterfall can be viewed from a designated viewing platform. Some visitors also climb down to the base, but this route is risky due to slippery and unstable rocks and soil.

A unique feature of this waterfall is its consistent water flow year-round. Upstream, the PacifiCorp dam regulates the river, ensuring a steady volume of water regardless of seasonal rainfall.
This way, you don't have to wait for a rainy season to see the full might of the Toketee.

Toketee Falls Geology

Toketee Falls is surrounded by tall, rocky basalt columns formed from ancient volcanic activity in the Cascade Range. When the lava cooled slowly, it cracked into hexagon-shaped columns. Over time, the powerful flow of the North Umpqua River carved through the rock, creating the waterfall's unique, amphitheater-like canyon.

The combination of volcanic rock and constant water flow gives the waterfall its distinctive appearance and contributes to the formation of potholes in the pool below.

As the water swirls, sand, gravel, cobbles, and boulders act like natural drills, gradually wearing down the hard volcanic bedrock. Larger rocks do most of the drilling, while smaller particles like sand help polish the walls, creating smooth, bowl-shaped cavities.

Toketee Falls Trail

The Toketee Falls Trail is an easy 0.8-mile (1.4 km) round-trip hike near Idleyld Park. It features a gentle 200-foot elevation gain, and the final section includes 200 steps leading up to the viewing platform.

A small parking area near the trailhead is limited to 10 vehicles. There are picnic tables and toilets there. Dogs are welcome here but must be on a leash.

A Brief History

Toketee comes from Chinook Jargon, meaning "pretty" or "graceful." In 1916, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names officially designated this name, recognizing the falls’ beauty and serene surroundings. Chinook Jargon was a trade language developed by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest to facilitate communication among different tribes.

Before settling on "Toketee Falls," the board also considered the names "Toketie Falls" and "Ireland Falls."

There is no camping directly at Toketee Falls, but Toketee Lake Campground is located about 5 miles away. This campground offers tent and RV camping with scenic views of Toketee Lake. There are picnic tables, fire pits, vault toilets, and a boat ramp, but no drinking water is available.

The campground is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, though reservations are required during the busy period from June to Labor Day via recreation.gov.

The nearest lodging and vacation rentals are available in Roseburg, 60 miles away.

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay at Roseburg

Lodging in Roseburg

Open: Year-round
Managed by: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Amenities: A vault toilet and picnic tables
Activities: Hiking, nature viewing, picnicking

Distance from the parking: 0.4 miles
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Free

Elevation: 2,096 ft (639 m)

Toketee Falls is located:

• 60 miles east of Roseburg
• 90 mile southwest of La Pine
• 125 miles southeast of Eugene.