'True gem' of a waterfall to reopen in Oregon for first time since 2020 wildfires

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Butte Creek Falls in the Santiam State Forest will reopen on June 21 after the trail was closed for nearly four years following the 2020 wildfires.

The deadly Beachie Creek Fire burned more than 400,000 acres of forestland as the winds picked up around Labor Day, killing five people and destroying 486 homes. However, the area immediately surrounding Butte Creek’s upper and lower falls were protected from the fire, Oregon Department of Forestry Recreation Manager Joe Offer said.

The Oregon Department of Forestry called Butte Creek Falls “one of the true gems of the state forests’ recreations areas.” 

“We were really fortunate the fires skipped over this area,” Offer said. “The trailhead and the paths to the two sets of falls are open, so is the camping area and the 100-yard shooting range.”

ODF employees and work crews provided by the Oregon Department of Corrections worked to clear debris and repair a foot bridge from the Butte Creek Falls trails ahead of the June opening.

Butte Creek Falls is located approximately 50 minutes southeast of Silverton in Marion County. The trailhead has parking for five or six vehicles and three campsites for tents at the campground. Additional parking is available at the campground, which has a connecting trail to the main trailhead.

“Our future plan is to expand both parking areas, the campground and offer additional camping opportunities within this northern block of the Santiam,” Offer said.  “But right now we just wanted to get everything open then start working on new improvements.”

The ODF is also working to restore the surrounding forest damaged by the wildfire. The department has recently planted close to 200,000 seedlings in the area.