Barr Creek Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barr Creek Falls |
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![]() Barr Creek Falls in May
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Location | Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint |
Coordinates | 42°44′16″N 122°29′43″W / 42.73776°N 122.49524°W |
Type | Plunge |
Elevation | 2,443 ft (745 m) |
Total height | 240 ft (73 m) |
Number of drops | 3 |
Barr Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Oregon, USA. It's found inside the Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint in Jackson County. This amazing waterfall plunges into the Rogue River Canyon. It flows over a cliff made of ancient volcanic ash. This ash is a leftover from the huge eruption of Mount Mazama long ago. Sometimes, people also call it Bear Creek Falls. The name "Barr" comes from a fence, or "barr," that used to be near the creek. This fence stopped cattle from wandering away from a nearby ranch.
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Discover Barr Creek Falls
Barr Creek Falls is a very tall and impressive waterfall. It shares the same rocky cliff with another waterfall called Mill Creek Falls. You can often see both waterfalls side-by-side from special viewing spots. It's like a double feature of nature's power!
How the Water Falls
This waterfall drops in three main steps, like giant stairs. The first part plunges down about 60 feet. You can't usually see this section from the main trail. Next, the water drops another 30 feet. You might catch a glimpse of this part when there's a lot of water flowing. Finally, the water takes a huge plunge of 150 feet! This last drop goes all the way down to the canyon floor. From there, the water joins the Rogue River.
How Tall is Barr Creek Falls?
With a total height of 240 feet, Barr Creek Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in all of Oregon. That's about as tall as a 20-story building!
Where is Barr Creek Falls Located?
Barr Creek Falls is at the very southern end of the Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has pinpointed its exact location. It sits at an elevation of about 2,529 feet above sea level.
The Journey of Barr Creek
Barr Creek starts its journey from the western side of Crater Lake. It then flows across the southern part of the Prospect Airfield. After that, it dramatically plunges into the Rogue River Canyon. It meets the Rogue River just a short distance after its big drop.
How to Visit Barr Creek Falls
Visiting Barr Creek Falls is an exciting adventure! You can reach the waterfall by taking a trail. This trail starts from a parking lot in the town of Prospect. The parking lot is on Mill Creek Drive. Look for the southernmost of the two parking lots on that road.
Finding Your Way
At the start of the trail, you'll find a helpful map. This map shows you the area, including the path to Barr Creek Falls. The trail itself is about half a mile long from the parking lot to the viewpoint. It's a great walk to see this natural wonder!