Yakso Falls

Yakso Falls is a waterfall in the Cascade Range where water splits around a large basalt outcrop in the center, creating two separate streams. The fall drops roughly 70 feet and spreads across a wide face as it descends.

The name comes from Chinook trading language, where Yakso means 'hair of the head', describing how the waterfall appears as it flows. This naming reflects the indigenous connection to the landscape in this part of Oregon.

The area contains multiple waterfalls within a five-mile radius, including Hemlock Falls, Cedar Creek Falls, and Grotto Falls along Little River.

A short trail from Lake in the Forest Campground takes you through old-growth forest to reach the falls, with a walk of less than a mile. Insect spray is worth bringing during summer months when bugs are more active in the shaded forest areas.

This waterfall divides around a large basalt rock in the center, making it visually different from many others in the region. The rock sits squarely in the flow, forcing the water to split and create its distinctive two-stream appearance.