Mosier Creek Falls

Mosier Creek Falls is an easy 1-mile out-and-back from Totem Plaza, with about 150 feet of climbing. The route starts with a walk along the highway shoulder, crosses Mosier Creek on the old bridge, then turns right into Mosier Pocket Park. Follow the lower creek path to the overlook and the top of the falls. Allow about 45 minutes for the walk, plus time at the view. This is a quick town outing, not the longer Mosier Plateau hike: the falls route turns around before the steep switchbacks that continue uphill.

The path follows Mosier Creek through oak groves and past the pioneer cemetery, where graves date to the 1860s. The bridge was designed by Oregon engineer Conde McCullough in 1920 and restored in 2017. Mosier Creek and the town are named for Jonah Mosier, who built a sawmill at the creek’s mouth in the 1850s. The canyon opens at a viewpoint looking upriver toward the falls; continue to the top for a close view of about 80 feet of water dropping in two tiers through a dark rock cleft. Make the falls your turnaround, then retrace the same route to the plaza.

Park in the large gravel area downhill between the highway and railroad, near Totem Plaza. Restrooms and a water station are at the plaza, with a market, coffee shop and taco truck nearby. No permit is required. The highway shoulder and bridge are the most road-exposed part of the walk. The route also passes near cliffs and private property, so keep dogs leashed. Access to the pool between the falls is disputed; treat the overlook and top of the falls as the destination.