What makes National Falls special
National Creek Falls is a waterfall from National Creek that plunges into a grotto surrounded by a meadow of mosses, on the west skirt of Crater Lake National Park, north of Union Creek, Oregon. The grotto is the story: the water drops into a sheltered hollow lined with moss, so the fall is as much a small green room as a cascade.
The setting is the edge of the Crater Lake country. The fall sits on the west skirt of the national park, outside the park itself, north of Union Creek. It is a quieter corner than the lake rim, and the moss meadow around the grotto gives it a softness that the high, bare country around the crater does not have.
Its neighbours are spread out. Alkali Falls is 2.8 miles away, Rough Rider Falls 4.7 miles away and Nob falls 12.7 miles away, so National Falls is a drive-to stop in a part of Oregon where the falls are scattered rather than clustered.
Source: Wikipedia
Geology and background
The fall drops into a grotto: a hollow in the rock, ringed by a meadow of mosses. The grotto is what makes National Falls different from a plain plunge. The water falls into a sheltered bowl rather than onto open rock, and the moss meadow around it is fed by the constant spray. The setting is the western slope of the Crater Lake country, where National Creek cuts down through the volcanic terrain on its way to Union Creek.
Plan your visit
Getting there and parking
- GPS: 43.0314, -122.3447 — Get directions
Navigate by coordinates rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream. Download an offline map before you lose signal: this is forest country, and signal is not guaranteed.
Best time and crowds
No stream gauge is linked to National Falls, so recent rain and snowmelt are your best guide. Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
This is a quieter fall than the famous ones, and the trailhead is unlikely to be crowded. Even so, an early start is the best way to have the grotto to yourself.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury. Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle. Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs.
What to bring
- Shoes with real grip
- A rain shell for the spray
- Water and a snack
- An offline map or screenshot
- A dry bag for your phone
- A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
- Look for the moss meadow around the grotto: it is the fall’s most distinctive feature.
- Pair it with Alkali Falls, 2.8 miles away.
- Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town: signal is thin out here.
- Go in spring, when National Creek is running full.
Keep exploring
- More waterfalls in Oregon
- Explore Oregon waterfalls
- Alkali Falls (2.8 mi away)
- Rough Rider Falls (4.7 mi away)
- Nob falls (12.7 mi away)
- Explore the map
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