Lower Black Bar Falls is a small drop on the Rogue River in Josephine County, Oregon, one of two closely grouped rapids in the river's Wild section.
The falls
The river falls about 3 to 4 feet at this spot. The World Waterfall Database disqualifies it as a true waterfall, since it is one of two tightly grouped rapids that does not meet the database's waterfall criteria.
Getting there
Lower Black Bar Falls sits within the Wild Rogue's boating stretch, the 33.8-mile run from Grave Creek to Foster Bar that most parties complete in three to four days. A competitive lottery permit is required from May 15 to October 15, at $10 per person; from October 16 to May 14 a self-issued permit is enough. In 2026 the Moon Complex fire affected the Wild section, and boaters are directed to the permit office for current river status.
On site
This is a rapid encountered on a remote Wild Rogue trip rather than a developed waterfall viewpoint. Swimming, shore access, dogs, children, incidents and portage notes for this exact spot are not documented.
Nearby
Upper Black Bar Falls is about 0.1 mile away. Dulog Falls is about 3 miles away, and Kelsey Falls, also on the Rogue River, about 3.5 miles.
Distances are straight-line.