Butte Falls is a 10-foot waterfall on Big Butte Creek in Jackson County, Oregon, at the edge of the small town that took its name. The falls sit in the town's community forest, a few steps from a parking area, and powered the sawmill the town grew up around.
The falls
Published figures list the falls at 10 to 15 feet, forming a wide curtain of water spanning the creek with an average flow of 500 to 800 cubic feet per second. Kayakers can run the drop along the right side of the channel.
Getting there
Vehicle access is by Falls Road, which leaves Butte Falls Highway just before the highway enters town. A 2022 visitor report notes that the turn is easy to miss and puts the walk from parking at about 0.1 mile round trip. The land belongs to the Town of Butte Falls as part of its community forest, bought from Weyerhaeuser in 2020 and managed for wildfire mitigation, drinking water, fish and wildlife, and recreation.
On site
Facilities include an observation deck reached by a ramp for an elevated view, alongside a short path down toward the creek for a lower angle. The site has picnic tables, with a public restroom in the park across from the town store. The town has announced plans to replace the aging viewing platform.
History and name
The Butte Falls Sugar Pine Company built a sawmill at the falls and platted the town in 1906. The mill site is now part of the community forest.
Nearby
Crowfoot Falls is about 9.7 miles away. Lower Red Blanket Falls is about 13.6 miles away, Barr Creek Falls about 13.7 miles and Mill Creek Falls about 13.9 miles.
Distances are straight-line.