Spirit Falls, Pinard Falls & Moon Falls - Waterfall Hiking with Kids
Does everyone love waterfalls as much as we do? Every opportunity we get we are seeking the next waterfall. This was a really fun adventure because we took some crazy routes and ended on never ending forest roads but we had a great time doing it so that’s what counts, right?! As I’ve written before the Umpqua is full of gorgeous waterfalls, and if you ask us which is our favorite we can’t choose just one, because each trail is distinctly its own and the falls are just as unique.
We stayed in Sutherlin because it was a great middle ground for us to visit lots of different falls. We started with our first of the day at Spirit Falls. Right in the area there are three waterfall trails pretty close to one another; Spirit, Pinard, and Moon Falls.
SPIRIT FALLS
Spirit falls is a fairly easy hike with gradual switchbacks and a mostly nice wide trail. The last part to the base was steep! The falls themselves are so gorgeous and you can get pretty up close and personal with its base. The kids loved playing on the logs and rocks. It was so serene I can see why it was called Spirit Falls, I definitely felt a calmness there. Maybe it was the power of suggestion but whatever it was it was perfect.
FACTS
Height: 60 Feet Tall
Trail: .6 miles out and back.
PINARD FALLS
The trail was a pretty moderate hike until you get to the last quarter down where it gets very steep. Once we got close to the falls you could a collective gasp because it was absolutely gorgeous. It felt otherwordly there because it was just gorgeous. Lush green forest and the falls cut through the rocks creating almost a oblong cave. We really wanted to swim out into the cavern to explore more but the water was so cold we weren’t brave enough. Maybe for another time.
FACTS
Height: 105 feet tall through basalt cliffs.
Trail: 1.5 miles to the base according to our Garmin
SEE MORE PHOTOS OF PINARD FALLS
MOON FALLS
The hike down to Moon Falls was a gradual decline at the beginning that graduated to rolling switchbacks and then finally a steep decline the last tenth mile to the base of the falls. It looked like the spring rains really pulled down a lot of trees. There were A LOT of logs and setting water, therefore a ton of mosquitos, but the falls were still beautiful! Keep in mind that the trail was a bit soggy and overgrown in places and I had seen many comments of mud in places so make sure to wear appropriate footwear and have your bug spray handy!
FACTS
Height: 100 feet
Trail: 1.25 miles out and back on our Garmin
Driving time from Sutherlin to our first fall (Spirit Falls) it took us one and a half hours, and to hike all three waterfalls including drive time it took about four hours. We took our cooler and lunch with us so we could eat in the car as well as we always carry our five gallon jug of water so that we can refill our Camelbacks. All in all it is a great day of waterfall hiking for kids.
We will definitely travel for great hikes and any waterfall. Whether you are from southern Oregon or elsewhere what are some of your favorite waterfall hikes?
Waterfall height information from the Umpqua National Forest website.