A waterfall on a short loop trail into the Three Sisters Wilderness, reached off Oregon's seasonal McKenzie Highway.
Proxy Falls is reached via the Proxy Falls Trailhead on the Willamette National Forest's Proxy Falls Trail, off Oregon Highway 242 (the McKenzie Highway) about nine miles east of McKenzie Bridge. The U.S. Forest Service describes it as a loop trail into the Three Sisters Wilderness; we could not confirm an official figure for the falls' height or the loop's exact mileage on the Forest Service's own pages, so check current trip reports or contact the ranger district for those specifics before planning a visit.
Access depends entirely on Highway 242, which the Forest Service closes for winter and typically reopens only from June through October; check tripcheck.com for current road status. The trailhead charges a day-use fee, with a credit-card self-serve machine on site, and accepts a Northwest Forest Pass or other interagency recreation pass. A free self-issue wilderness day-use permit is required at the trailhead between June 15 and October 15, and vehicles over 35 feet are not allowed in the parking area. Because the forest is subject to wildfire closures, check the Willamette National Forest's current fire-closure list and fire-danger level before heading out.
Know before you go
Proxy Falls Trailhead off OR Hwy 242 (McKenzie Highway), about 9 miles east of McKenzie Bridge, Willamette National Forest. Vehicles over 35 feet not allowed.
Hwy 242 closes in winter and typically reopens June-October; check tripcheck.com for current status.
Loop trail into the Three Sisters Wilderness; check the Forest Service trailhead page for current mileage, as no official distance was posted there at review.
Day-use fee at the trailhead machine; Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass accepted. Free self-issue wilderness permit required June 15-Oct 15.
Verify current trail surface and accessibility with the Willamette National Forest.
2026-10-12. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- USDA Forest Service — Willamette NF: Proxy Falls Trailhead ↗
- USDA Forest Service — Willamette NF: Proxy Falls Trail #3532 ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
