Plaikni Falls
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Snow can block this trail well into July in heavy snow years — check with the Steel Visitor Center before heading out, as the road to the trailhead may also be gated.
The rocks near the falls base are slick with spray and moss. Stay behind the viewing area, especially with kids — a slip on wet basalt is no joke.
Trail Details
- 1
Hit this trail in the morning before the tour buses arrive at Crater Lake — by early afternoon the small parking area fills up and you'll be sharing the falls viewpoint with a crowd.
- 2
The first three-quarters of the trail is manageable with all-terrain wheelchairs and rugged strollers, but the final stretch to the falls gets rocky and rooted — scout it before committing with gear.
- 3
Peak wildflower season here runs late July through mid-August, later than most Oregon trails because of Crater Lake's elevation. The meadow section halfway in is the money shot — bring a macro lens.
