Shellburg Falls, Waterfall in Marion County, Oregon

Shellburg Falls is a waterfall on Shellburg Creek in the Stout Creek canyon of Santiam State Forest, about 2.5 miles north of Lyons, Oregon. It drops 100 feet (30 meters) and averages roughly 10 feet wide. It stands upstream of Lower Shellburg Falls and half a mile from Stasel Falls.

The falls formed through volcanic activity that shaped the Santiam region millions of years ago, creating the basalt rock face that guides water flow today. This geological foundation has remained largely unchanged since those ancient times.

The falls attract visitors who come to experience the raw power of falling water in a forest setting, with the sound and mist creating a memorable moment in nature. People linger at the base to watch the water's movement and photograph the scene.

Reach the falls via a round trip hike of about 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) starting from the parking area. The path crosses private farmland initially before entering the state forest, so stay on marked trails throughout the walk.

Shellburg Falls drops about 100 feet but is only around 10 feet wide on average, and it runs on rainfall alone, so by late summer the flow can shrink to a thin trickle. It sits half a mile from Stasel Falls and upstream of Lower Shellburg Falls, with Mulkey Creek Falls and Ayers Creek Falls also nearby.