Beaver Falls – Clatskanie Oregon
Beaver Falls – Clatskanie Oregon
Outside of the town of Clatskanie a few miles off of Highway 30 is Beaver Falls. Located on the old route of Highway 30, the falls are not as well known now as they were decades ago, but they are still worth a side trip if you’re in the area.
Getting to the falls is easy, heading West along Highway 30 from Portland, take Beaver Falls Road on the right. From the East, take Delena Road and then turn left onto Beaver Falls Road. The Ghost Town of Delena is right here, but other then piles of 1970’s logging equipment there is little interesting to see. Beaver Falls Road is a low traffic, rarely used road these days so it also makes a great bicycle route in Columbia County.
On the right after a mile and a half will be Upper Beaver Falls. There is a small one or maybe two car turnout right here. They day I was there a motorhome was parked in the way so there was no place for us to stop for pictures.
Beaver Falls can be seen from three locations, each marked by a turnout. The first turnout is a chain link fence and a white wooden fence. There is a gap in the chain link fence and a path into the forest. This path passes over a small culvert before ending up at the top of the falls.
Directions say to cross the stream here and follow the path. The river was a bit high for me to do that when I was there.
The second view point is more obvious, continue west along Beaver Falls Road for about half a mile. There is another huge turn out there. Walk along the side of the road east to see Beaver Falls through the chain link fence that is present for safety.
Some “interesting” graffiti is here on a nearby rock wall.
Hopefully their message came across all right.
The third, and probably best, view is likely from the bottom of the falls along Beaver Falls Trail. This is accessed by another turnout about half a mile west. A small sign notes the trail head which goes to the bottom of the hill. The trail is a bit dangerous on rainy days though, so I bypassed it this trip but will come back when I’m more prepared.