Drift Creek Falls, Lincoln City, Oregon

Located near Lincoln City, Oregon, Drift Creek Falls is a 3 mile hike deep in the Siuslaw National Forest. The out-and-back trail features a 240 foot long suspension bridge and a waterfall. It’s a mild hike with a 480 foot elevation gain.

Drift Creek Falls, Hiking in Oregon

With no traffic, Drift Creek Falls is a 2 hour drive from Portland. We drove out there right after brunch. After hiking, we made our way over to Lincoln City for post-hike snacks. Drift Creek Falls is a good activity before spending the rest of the day at the coast.

Once you get out to the forest, you may lose cell and GPS reception, so I recommend downloading or printing maps in advance. The last of the drive leading up to the Drift Creek Falls trail head was on a winding dirt path, which got very dusty when we were there during the summer. The trail is suitable for beginners though. I saw several families with small children on the trail, as well as dogs on leashes. The forest provides plenty of shade, but when we visited on a hot summer day, just before the heatwave, it was very muggy in the forest. The humidity slowed us down a bit. I’m glad I had a second water bottle waiting for me in the car.

How’s your fear of heights? The suspension bridge is sturdy, but it does sway a little, especially when there are several people on the bridge. After crossing the bridge, you can wind your way down to the base of falls. We didn’t as there were already quite a few people down there. It’s a good spot for a break and a snack with a view of the waterfall.