Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Itching to see Niagara Falls? You won't have to leave Oregon to do it.
As it turns out, our state is home to a Niagara Falls all our own – albeit one that's just a little bit (OK, a lot) smaller.
The waterfall is found at the end of the Niagara Falls Trail in Oregon's Coast Range, roughly between Pacific City and McMinnville. At the end of an easy one-mile hike, visitors will actually find two waterfalls: Niagara Falls and Pheasant Creek Falls.
There's some confusion over which waterfall is which.
According to Siuslaw National Forest officials, Niagara Falls is the taller of the two, found at the very end of the trail. Pheasant Creek Falls comes first, where a footbridge crosses in front of the spray.
Some sources have the two switched, most notably the Northwest Waterfall Survey, a website that offers detailed information on waterfalls around the region. With no signage at the falls themselves, it can be easy to mix them up.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Hikers walk in front of Pheasant Creek Falls, found near Niagara Falls.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Niagara Falls is located in the Siuslaw National Forest of Oregon's Coast Range.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
The Niagara Falls Trail leads to Niagara and Pheasant Creek Falls.
Both waterfalls are spectacular, especially Niagara Falls itself, which plunges perfectly over a basalt cliff. It's nowhere near as impressive as the famous group of waterfalls on the U.S.-Canada border in New York, but it's certainly one of the best waterfalls in the Coast Range.
According to the forest service, Oregon's Niagara Falls isn't named for the famous Niagara Falls, but for Niagara Creek and Niagara Point found nearby. Where did those places get their names? Officials said they have no idea.
However, the name "Niagara" is pretty specific. While its origins seem to be in question, most agree that it comes from the Native American tribes who lived around the Great Lakes region. Many places in the U.S. and Canada share the name, and most trace their roots back to the area.
There's even a small unincorporated area in Oregon called Niagara, found on the other side of the Willamette Valley near Detroit Lake. According to Oregon Geographic Names, it's named for a narrow section of the Santiam River where white settlers built a dam in 1890 – presumably a reference to the famous falls.
However, Niagara got its name, it's a waterfall that's worth checking out. As winter rains continue to pummel the Coast Range, Niagara Falls, Pheasant Creek Falls and all the other waterfalls in the region will be gushing. Just make sure to adjust your expectations.
To reach the Niagara Falls Trailhead, take U.S. 101 south of Tillamook. At the community of Beaver, turn left onto Blaine Road. After 6.6 miles, stay right onto Upper Nestucca River Road. In 5 miles, turn right onto Niagara Road, following a sign for the Niagara Falls Trail. Follow the forest road south for about 3.8 miles, then turn right at a signed junction toward Niagara Falls. In .5 miles, look for the trailhead on the left.
--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB
SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
A picnic tables gives hikers a place to rest while visiting Niagara Falls.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
A sign at the Niagara Falls Trailhead, which leads hikers to Niagara and Pheasant Creek falls.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
The Niagara Falls Trail leads to Niagara and Pheasant Creek Falls.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Niagara Falls is seen through bare branches in the Siuslaw National Forest.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
The Niagara Falls Trail comes to an end at Niagara Falls.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
One of several footbridges found on the Niagara Falls Trail.
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