Munson Creek Falls

Tillamook, Oregon, USA

About Munson Creek Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Munson Creek Falls was probably the most significant waterfall in the vicinity of the Oregon Coast that we’ve encountered.

Tumbling over three visible tiers, it was said to have a cumulative height of 319ft, which also made it possibly the tallest in the Oregon Coast Range.

Munson_Creek_Falls_025_08172017 - Munson Creek Falls in late Summer flow
Munson Creek Falls in late Summer flow

While the Oregon Coast contained many natural features like sand dunes, sea stacks, lighthouses, beaches, and even sea arches, waterfalls were something we never really counted on seeing in these parts.

In fact, we even missed this waterfall when we first drove along the Oregon Coast back in late March 2009.

On that trip, we had to retreat to the coast to avoid the snow in the mountains after some nasty storms that hit us during that time.

When we learned after the fact that there was this waterfall near Tillamook, and it required a very short hike to reach, we made a concerted effort to come back when the opportunity arose (which came 8 years later).

Experiencing Munson Creek Falls

Munson_Creek_Falls_005_08172017 - The Munson Creek Falls Trail meandered through a forest full of ferns and trees with moss hanging out of them attesting to the high rainfall in the area
The Munson Creek Falls Trail meandered through a forest full of ferns and trees with moss hanging out of them attesting to the high rainfall in the area

From the unpaved trailhead parking area (see directions) below, we followed a flat trail flanked by tall trees providing quite a good deal of shade on a warm and sunny afternoon.

Even in the dry Summer that we experienced on our visit, the trees still clung onto brownish moss growing out of their trunks and branches.

Moreover, ferns still covered the forest floor, which further attested to how much moisture this area would typically get.

The path meandered alongside Munson Creek as the stream gently gurgled its way downstream towards the Pacific.

Munson_Creek_Falls_011_08172017 - The Munson Creek Falls Trail followed along Munson Creek
The Munson Creek Falls Trail followed along Munson Creek

Then, the trail started to climb up a short hill providing perhaps the best view of Munson Creek Falls (shown at the top of this page).

The trail then continued as it descended steps before going up the next set of steps.

But then the trail was cut short by a closure sign admonishing us not to go further.

From the closure fence and sign, the views were a little less satisfying than before even though the falls was closer.

Munson_Creek_Falls_016_08172017 - Context of Munson Creek Falls as the trail approached its closure point
Context of Munson Creek Falls as the trail approached its closure point

Beyond the closure sign, the trail eventually disappeared into either Munson Creek or under the debris of broken trees, lots of dirt, and rocks.

The instability of the neighboring cliffs was what warranted the closure, and further progress to get closer to the base of the falls would be foolish.

Apparently, this landslide occurred in the mid 1990s, and the remainder of the trail was never rebuilt since.

So after having my fill of the Munson Creek Falls, we returned the way we came.

Munson_Creek_Falls_038_08172017 - Returning to the trailhead for the Munson Creek Falls, which was popular, but people don't tend to linger around given the trail closure on our August 2017 visit
Returning to the trailhead for the Munson Creek Falls, which was popular, but people don’t tend to linger around given the trail closure on our August 2017 visit

Judging from how many other people came and left, Munson Creek Falls was still a popular place.

However, their time spent on the trail seemed to be even shorter than the half-hour or so we spent away from the car.

Authorities

Munson Creek Falls resides in Munson Creek Falls State Park near Tillamook in Tillamook County, Oregon. It is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: tillamook, tillamook county, oregon coast, cape meares, trail closure, landslide, oregon, waterfall



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Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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