Pheasant Creek Falls and Niagara Falls

Siuslaw National Forest / Beaver, Oregon, USA

About Pheasant Creek Falls and Niagara Falls


Hiking Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Suggested Time: 45-75 minutes

Date first visited: 2021-04-08
Date last visited: 2021-04-08

Waterfall Latitude: 45.20653
Waterfall Longitude: -123.63011

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Pheasant Creek Falls and Niagara Falls were two waterfalls across from each other at the head of a gorge carved out by a combination of Pheasant Creek and Niagara Creek.

The size of each waterfall in this pairing (107ft and 112ft, respectively) actually surprised me, because it turned out that Niagara Falls was concealed from view until the trail made a bend around a protrusion.

Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_043_04082021 - Niagara Falls or Niagara Creek Falls seen against the rising morning sun
Niagara Falls or Niagara Creek Falls seen against the rising morning sun

According to Greg Plumb’s book, he said that Niagara Creek’s flow would tend to diminish as the rainfall amounts would decrease over the summer.

In any case, this hike deep in the coastal range set back from the Oregon Coast near the small town of Beaver in the Siuslaw National Forest was an exercise in peace and tranquility thanks to its relative obscurity.

Although I found the hike to be pretty straightforward, the narrow unpaved road to get to the trailhead was flanked with fallen trees (luckily none of them caused any roadblocks).

This gave me the sense that I really was in a remote wilderness.

Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_062_04082021 - Pheasant Creek Falls plunging towards the end of the Niagara Falls Trail
Pheasant Creek Falls plunging towards the end of the Niagara Falls Trail

Despite that, the trail to access these waterfalls were a mere 1.2 miles in each direction (according to my GPS logs).

My data seemed to agree with the trailhead signage, because it said that Niagara Falls (the first waterfall) was just one mile from there.

Hiking The Niagara Falls Trail

From the outset, the trail gently descended among a very lush trail full of ferns and tall trees with moss growing on them.

The trail would continue to descend among this scenery while traversing the odd muddy patches, especially since this area can get a lot of rain.

Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_012_04082021 - On the lush Niagara Falls Trail as it descended to two waterfalls
On the lush Niagara Falls Trail as it descended to two waterfalls

After about 3/4-mile, the trail traversed a bridge over a small, seasonal cascade (that’s hard to see in the overgrowth).

Beyond that, the trail then descended towards another bend as the scenery started to open up as the path started to skirt eastward above Pheasant Creek.

It was at this point that I finally started to see Pheasant Creek Falls in the distance (which I at first thought was Niagara Falls).

As this hastened my steps to get closer to that waterfall, the trail then rounded a bend, and that was when I was surprised to see another waterfall, which turned out to be Niagara Falls (or Niagara Creek Falls).

Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_028_04082021 - This is where the Niagara Falls Trail went over a bridge traversing a hard-to-see cascade at around the 3/4-mile point of the descent
This is where the Niagara Falls Trail went over a bridge traversing a hard-to-see cascade at around the 3/4-mile point of the descent

Crossing the footbridge at the waterfall’s base, the trail then made a short 0.2-mile jaunt to the official end of the trail before the Pheasant Creek Falls where there was a picnic table.

There was also a couple of unsanctioned use-trails to get closer to the waterfall – one going down to Pheasant Creek and another going up to a precarious and slippery knob.

As much as I wanted to photograph both waterfalls together, they were too far apart to do that from any point along the trail.

So I pretty much had to experience each waterfall one-at-a-time.

Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_036_04082021 - The final approach to Pheasant Creek Falls when I was unaware that there was another waterfall just around the corner to the left
The final approach to Pheasant Creek Falls when I was unaware that there was another waterfall just around the corner to the left

But for all intents and purposes, this was the end of the upside-down hike so the way back was a roughly 400ft climb to regain the trailhead.

Authorities

Pheasant Creek Falls and Niagara Falls reside in the Siuslaw National Forest near Pacific City in Tillamook County, Oregon. It is administered by the National Forest Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_002_04082021 - Trailhead signage indicating that it was a mere mile to reach the waterfalls (to which I think they were referring to the first of the two)
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_003_04082021 - Hiking among the tall moss-covered trees along the Niagara Falls Trail
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_004_04082021 - The Niagara Falls Trail weaving between more tall moss-covered trees
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_006_04082021 - Given the overnight rain storm that hit the Oregon Coast prior to my hike in early April 2021, there were some muddy spots on the Niagara Falls Trail
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_010_04082021 - The Niagara Falls Trail passing beneath this drooping moss-covered tree
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_018_04082021 - Descending towards a minor footbridge over a potentially muddy spot on the Niagara Falls Trail
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_026_04082021 - Traversing a footbridge over this seasonal creek, which actually harbored a cascade along the Niagara Falls Trail
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_033_04082021 - The Niagara Falls Trail descending towards a more open area near Pheasant Creek
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_037_04082021 - Looking across the gorge towards the free-falling Pheasant Creek Falls
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_039_04082021 - After the trail rounded a bend, it revealed this attractive waterfall, which tumbled about 112ft over Niagara Creek (according to the surveyed maps) so I suspect this was called Niagara Falls (though the Forest Service literature seemed to reverse the names)
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_045_04082021 - Looking towards Pheasant Creek Falls from near the base of Niagara Falls
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_051_04082021 - Looking directly up at the Niagara Creek Falls
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_058_04082021 - Approaching the picnic table fronting Pheasant Creek Falls at the very end of the Niagara Falls Trail
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_064_04082021 - Long-exposed look at the Pheasant Creek Falls
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_073_04082021 - Direct look at Pheasant Creek Falls
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_076_04082021 - Looking back at part of the Niagara Falls from the closest spot that I witnessed Pheasant Creek Falls
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_080_04082021 - Context of the Pheasant Creek Falls with an apparent landslide next to it
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_084_04082021 - Last look back at the Pheasant Creek Falls and the neighboring picnic table
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_091_04082021 - Last look back at the Niagara Falls before I hiked back up to the trailhead
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_109_04082021 - Making the lush climb back up to the Niagara Falls Trailhead
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_111_04082021 - At this point of my return hike, it started to rain as I was getting close to the Niagara Falls Trailhead
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_114_04082021 - Even though it was raining, I found that the Niagara Falls Trail was even more attractive under such evenly-lit and lush conditions
Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_117_04082021 - Finally making it back to the Niagara Falls Trailhead


Both Pheasant Creek Falls and Niagara Falls are accessed from the Niagara Falls Trail near Pacific City.

That said, we actually drove there from Cannon Beach so I’ll start by describing the driving directions from there.

Driving from Cannon Beach to Niagara Falls Trail

Niagara_and_Pheasant_Creek_Falls_001_04082021 - The Niagara Falls Trailhead
The Niagara Falls Trailhead

So from Cannon Beach, we drove south on the US101 for about 55 miles towards the small town of Beaver (which itself was 15 miles south of Tillamook).

Once in the town of Beaver, we turned left onto Blaine Road / Nestucca River Road, and then we followed this rural road for about 11.5 miles to the signed turnoff for the Niagara Road on the right.

Next, we drove south on the narrow and unpaved Niagara Road for the final 5 miles (following the signs at the key junctions along the way).

Overall, this drive took us a little under 2 hours.

Driving from Pacific City to Niagara Falls Trail

Niagara_Falls_Trail_006_iPhone_04082021 - Sign at the last road junction along the Niagara Road near the Niagara Falls Trailhead
Sign at the last road junction along the Niagara Road near the Niagara Falls Trailhead

Coming from Pacific City, we would drive for about 3 miles towards the US101, and then we’d drive north on the US101 for 10 miles towards Beaver.

Once in Beaver, we’d turn right onto Blaine Road, and then we’d follow the driving directions as given above.

Overall, this drive would take about an hour.

Due to the narrowness of the Niagara Falls Road as well as the presence of fallen trees (at least when I made my visit in early April 2021), I would definitely check the road conditions with the National Forest Service before setting out.

Niagara_Falls_Trail_005_iPhone_04082021 - Trying to avoid the fallen trees along the narrow Niagara Road
Trying to avoid the fallen trees along the narrow Niagara Road

That could save some unnecessary driving (or possibly being stranded) if a fallen tree or landslide would cut off access on the Niagara Road.

Moreover, I would also caution to take it slow on the Niagara Road due to the presence of blind turns.

For some geographical context, Pacific City was 49 miles (over an hour drive) south of Nehalem, 65 miles (90 minutes drive) south of Cannon Beach, 73 miles (over 90 minutes drive) south of Seaside, 87 miles (under 2 hours drive) southwest of Portland, and 96 miles (over 2 hours drive) north of Florence.

Find A Place To Stay



Booking.com

Video showing both Niagara Creek Falls and Pheasant Creek Falls in the distance before ending at the far end of the bridge


Long video examining Pheasant Creek Falls from multiple spots while briefly checking out Niagara Creek Falls on the opposite side of the canyon


Video showing Pheasant Creek Falls from a bump past the picnic table then panning over to a partial view of Niagara Creek Falls


Video starting off with a closeup of Pheasant Creek Falls before walking towards Niagara Creek Falls and showing closeups of that falls

Related Top 10 Lists

No Posts Found

Trip Planning Resources


Nearby Accommodations




Booking.com


Tagged with: beaver, siuslaw national forest, niagara falls trail, tillamook, beaver



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls

The Waterfaller Newsletter

The Waterfaller Newsletter is where we curate the wealth of information on the World of Waterfalls website and deliver it to you in bite-sized chunks in your email inbox. You'll also get exclusive content like...

  • Waterfall Wednesdays
  • Insider Tips
  • User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month
  • and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls


How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

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.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.