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Medford, Oregon
United States
3
0
0
FREE
ITINERARY (1/2 Day)
Mill Creek Falls
Barr Creek Falls
Avenue of the Boulders
Pearsony Falls
nugget’s Advice
Prepare in advance
Have your nuggets go potty before heading out because Mill Creek Falls does not have restroom facilities. Pack a lunch and snacks because there are no restaurants around.
Good to know
If you do this hike during the winter, there may be road closures.
Recommended day/time
This is an amazing hiking experience any time of year. Going during the week is ideal to avoid the crowds.
Recommended time of the year
Road closures can happen anytime in December to February due to snow fall. The month of March, at the beginning of spring, offers the best water flow.
About This Day
This half-day hiking itinerary at Mill Creek Falls is a great way to get the kids away from gadgets and distractions. Enjoy these four stops and all the natural beauty they have to offer. First, join the trailhead at Mill Creek Falls. Let the nuggets explore the trail and surrounding areas while hiking. Next, hike along another path to see Barr Creek Falls. Depending on the season, you might catch a double fall. Continuing on, see the roaring Rogue River and Avenue of the Boulders. Lastly, end with a more casual hike to see Pearsony Falls. These hikes are the perfect opportunity to play I spy and expand everyone's knowledge of plants and animals. The trails here in Prospect, Oregon offer lovely, serene family fun.
Mill Creek Falls
Mill Creek Drive, Prospect
FREE
This is a beautiful trail with tree cover almost the whole trail. With its nice, wide trail, kids are able to explore with no worries of disturbing the ecosystem and people can pass easily. We love the serenity of the hike. There usually aren't too many people around and there are enough trails that there is space enough for everyone. Our nuggets loved to run ahead looking for spots to hide and challenge themselves by taking off-the-beaten path trails.
DIRECTIONS
From I-5 take Highway 62 North through Shady Cove until you get to Mill Creek Drive and take a right. The trailhead is in a huge parking area. At the trailhead, when you come to the big sign that says Avenue of the Boulders/Mill Creek Falls, take a right. The waterfall will be on the left.
TIP
When you get to the falls viewpoint, make sure your littlest nuggets have a hold of your hand because there is no railing between you and the drop off. Just keep any eye on them.
Barr Creek Falls
920 Mill Creek Drive, Prospect
FREE
If you go in the spring you will see a double fall. More toward the middle of summer you will just see the right one. We love to sit quietly on the rocks and just listen to the falls. Our nuggets like to climb around on the rocks after they view the falls for a couple of minutes.
DIRECTIONS
From Mill Creek Falls go back to the trail and take a left and stay to the right on the main trail. Barr Creek Falls viewpoint will be up the rocks on the left side of a fallen tree.
TIP
We make sure our nuggets stay on the rocks closer to the trail to climb around. There is a big drop-off on the edge, so keep a close eye on them.
Avenue of the Boulders
920 Mill Creek Drive, Prospect
FREE
This is a bonus in addition to the three waterfalls. As if just seeing the thundering Rogue River wasn't enough, the magnificent huge boulders create multiple small waterfalls for viewing. Our nuggets love to climb around on them. Get back on the main path and take the right path where you can get to a shallow spot for you to dip in your toes. Or, if you go back to the main path and head south there is an area that gets shallow enough during the summer for the kids to play in a small cove. It has shallow water and even a little rock sliding area. If you enjoy rock climbing there is an area where rock climbers go to boulder around too.
DIRECTIONS
Head back on the main trail from Barr Creek Falls. Go straight on the trail back to the fork in the road where the big sign was. Then, continue straight on the trail. Take the trail down the rocky path and stay to your left to view the Rogue River, Avenue of the Boulders.
TIP
Balance can get a little precarious on some of the huge boulders, so keep an eye on your littlest nuggets. Depending how far you want to explore on the boulders, some hand holding may be needed.
Pearsony Falls
1 Airport Road, Prospect
FREE
This trail has nice, wide paths and is a very short hike to get to Pearsony Falls. There is very little incline so it is easy for kids to navigate. It is the perfect trek to take at the end of the day because it is so short. The falls will be on the left. The kids really like these falls. They were able to get up close and personal with them and were able to get a little misted by the falls. There are no drop-offs so it is a pretty safe hike.
DIRECTIONS
From the Mill Creek Falls parking area, take a right over the bridge (there is another gorgeous view of Avenue of the Boulders here). After the bridge, less than 1/4 mile (400m) up the road, there will be a parking lot on the right with a bathroom. To the right of the bathroom is a trail that will take you to the falls.
TIP
Be careful if you decide to get close to the falls, the short path to the shore from the trail can be a little muddy and the rocks can be slippery, use caution.
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