Alsea Falls

There are two easy ways to reach this site. One, From Corvallis, take SR 34 west to the small berg of Alsea, and turn south at the signs for Alsea Falls. In one mile, turn left onto South Fork Road, and follow this route for 8.6 miles (some of which is gravel) to the marked picnic area. The second, from Junction City (just northwest of Eugene), follow SR 99W north to Monroe, and turn west onto Alpine Road (signed for Alsea Falls and the Benton County Tour Route), and follow the signs to the falls in about 13 miles.Though not terribly impressive, Alsea Falls, where the otherwise calm Alsea River takes a spill down smooth rocks into a nice swimming hole, is a rather scenic waterfall. The falls are located within the BLM's popular Alsea Falls Recreation area, which includes a campground and picnic area. Surrounding the falls, especially when the river is lower, are smooth rock slabs that, on clear days, attract sunbathers and swimmers like ants to sugar. There are several viewpoints of the falls, though none are heavily developed, and some may be flooded and inaccessible when the river is at its peak flow. The falls may deserve a higher rating during higher flows.