State: Oregon
Location: Siuslaw National Forest
Length, One-Way: 1.5 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 340 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate
Trail Information
The Drift Creek Falls Trail is a scenic forested path, which descends 340 feet, leading you through a thick coastal forest to an amazing suspension bridge over Drift Creek. The trail passes through several different bands of forest including a nearly 50 year old second-growth forest, a recently replanted clear-cut and a narrow band of old growth. The trail is a steep but wheelchair negotiable descent to the bridge; across it, the trail switchbacks down the canyon wall to end at the creek.
The Drift Creek Falls is a 75 foot cataract tumbling down a sheer cliff before a free-fall for the last few feet into a pool. This is well worth the 1 1/4 mile hike but the bridge is simply awesome. The bridge is 100 feet above the creek, about 150 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide. The bridge can be scary for many people but the bridge is capable of holding 165,000 pounds so it isn’t going anywhere. Still, standing on the 2-1/2 foot wide bridge and looking 100 feet down to the creek can make almost anyone feel a little fear of heights. The bridge sways slightly during crossing and even more so if someone else is on it with you. If you approach, look and decide to turn back instead of crossing, you won’t be the first or last to do so.
The Drift Creek Falls Trail is a great trail to visit in the spring and fall after the rains have put water in the falls. The is great trail for kids but the bridge will surely be out of the question for some.
Directions
From Highway 101 in Lincoln City:
The trail is located off Highway 101 south of Lincoln City, north of Salishan. Drive east on Drift Creek Road and turn right on South Drift Creek Road. Turn left onto Forest Road 17. Stay on FR 17 to the trailhead, approximately, 10 miles.
