Smith River Falls
Near North Fork, Oregon
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- river
- FALLS
- Waterfall on site
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- September
About Smith River Falls
Smith River Falls is a Bureau of Land Management campground and day-use site on Oregon's Smith River, about 26.4 miles east of Reedsport via Smith River Road, situated just above a falls on the river. The swimming hole here is officially recognized: the BLM lists swimming among the site's activities, alongside camping, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife watching, making this a river to swim in with the land manager's blessing.
The recreation site sits in an old-growth forest setting along the Smith River, which forms in Oregon's Coast Range and flows roughly 50 miles west to the Pacific Ocean north of Reedsport. The campground is located immediately above the falls that give the site its name.
Swimming at Smith River Falls
The BLM's own activity listing for the site includes swimming alongside wading, and the river here is used for wading and fishing near the falls; no further detail on depth, current, or water clarity was found in official sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Reedsport, Oregon, travel a short distance north on U.S. Highway 101, then turn east onto Smith River Road and continue about 26.4 miles to the recreation site.
The hike in
- To the water
- Under 0.1 mi one-way (a short scramble down from the roadside parking to the river bench).
- Time on foot
- A few minutes (well under 5 min) down a steep scramble path.
Difficulty: Short but steep and unmaintained/informal footpath; not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
Trailhead: Roadside pullouts along Smith River Road at the BLM Smith River Falls day-use/campground area (~26-27 mi east of Reedsport); no formal named trailhead sign, just parking beside the road.
No named or maintained trail. From the parking area, an easier path on the left leads to the top of the falls, while two separate short, steep, unmaintained paths drop down to the river bench and pools just below the falls.
This is a walk-down/scramble-down access point rather than a backcountry hike - no mileage-marked trail exists in any source found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Shallow wading pools exist above and below the falls, but the main swimming area involves a ~10-ft rock/waterfall drop into a deep pool used for cliff jumping, plus slippery, irregular bedrock footing and swift current in spots. Fine for kids who stick to the shallow wading pools with adult supervision; not a place to let children roam near the falls unsupervised.
Parking
Free
Free roadside parking along Smith River Road (also called Lower Smith River Road) at the BLM day-use/campground area, about 26-27 miles east of Reedsport. No dedicated paved lot; any passenger vehicle can reach it, but the alternate route in via OR-38 is described as poorly marked and rough, so approach via Reedsport/Smith River Road is recommended.
Restrooms
Yes
Universal-access (vault-style) restrooms at the BLM Smith River Falls Campground, confirmed by both the BLM site page and a third-party visitor guide.
Water clarity
Clear
Multiple independent accounts describe the Smith River here as clear, credited to spring-fed tributaries and a largely intact upper watershed (the river is also noted as a productive wild salmon stream). One 2023 visitor described being able to see 'rainbow-colored fish and smooth river rocks' underwater while swimming.
Hours
Campground and day-use area operate seasonally, Memorial Day through September 30 (per BLM); no specific daily hours listed for day use.
On the water
The BLM campground has an on-site boat launch (confirmed by BLM and Recreation.gov), suitable for car-top craft like kayaks/canoes for fishing/floating this stretch of the Smith River. No motor, wake, or watercraft-type restrictions were stated in any official source found. The falls immediately downstream would block continuous downriver travel without a portage, so this is best treated as a put-in for floating the pool above the falls rather than a through-run.
What regulars say
Visitors flag genuine hazards worth knowing before you go: slippery, irregular bedrock footing around the pools, and a swift current and deep-pool combination that carries real drowning risk if underestimated. The consistent advice is to use caution, swim with a buddy, and not jump or swim beyond your comfort level. A rope swing hangs over the larger pool downstream of the falls. Summer weekends are called out as the busiest time, and regulars recommend arriving early.
Smith River Falls: FAQ
Does Smith River Falls charge a fee?
No fees; 10 campsites are first-come, first-served.
Is Smith River Falls kid friendly?
Shallow wading pools exist above and below the falls, but the main swimming area involves a ~10-ft rock/waterfall drop into a deep pool used for cliff jumping, plus slippery, irregular bedrock footing and swift current in spots. Fine for kids who stick to the shallow wading pools with adult supervision; not a place to let children roam near the falls unsupervised.
How hard is the hike to Smith River Falls?
A hike is required, about Under 0.1 mi one-way (a short scramble down from the roadside parking to the river bench). to the water (a few minutes (well under 5 min) down a steep scramble path.). Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.
Where do I park for Smith River Falls?
Free roadside parking along Smith River Road (also called Lower Smith River Road) at the BLM day-use/campground area, about 26-27 miles east of Reedsport. No dedicated paved lot; any passenger vehicle can reach it, but the alternate route in via OR-38 is described as poorly marked and rough, so approach via Reedsport/Smith River Road is recommended.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Smith River Falls?
The BLM campground has an on-site boat launch (confirmed by BLM and Recreation.gov), suitable for car-top craft like kayaks/canoes for fishing/floating this stretch of the Smith River. No motor, wake, or watercraft-type restrictions were stated in any official source found. The falls immediately downstream would block continuous downriver travel without a portage, so this is best treated as a put-in for floating the pool above the falls rather than a through-run.
When is the best time to visit Smith River Falls?
Memorial Day through September 30 (official operating season per BLM).
What are the rules at Smith River Falls?
14-day stay limit; first-come, first-served camping (no reservations); site is seasonal, open Memorial Day through September 30.
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