You’ll need to get a “gorge floor pass” for this visit. They’re free but they only give out 100 passes daily. So get there early and check on the weather because if rain is expected, no one is given passes.
No pets or small children are allowed and it’s almost a three-mile hike to reach the falls. Parental supervision is required for anyone under 18. The slide consists of 30 feet of smooth rock that plunges you into a deep pool.
It’s a one-mile hike through fir and hemlock trees to reach Step Falls. You’ll also see Wight Brook. This is the well-known Nature Conservancy’s first official preserve in the state. The cascades here are short and small so while it’s not a place for hardcore thrill-seekers, riding the water’s current and dropping into the swimming hole is a fun way to spend the day.
Oregon’s western forests offer several different waterfalls and cliff-jumping spots. But don’t miss Triangle Lake, west of Eugene. It’s a well-marked spot with a parking lot and easy access to this lovely lake rock slide beneath a verdant canopy of native trees. This is also a great place for cliff diving, walking under rushing waterfalls, and relaxing in sparkling soaking pools. Some veteran visitors find this place so magical that they say you should not be surprised if you happen to see a goat-man kicking back and playing the lute.