Knob Falls – Upper Rogue River Trail

The Knob Falls section of the Upper Rogue River Trail is a 6 mile out-and-back starting at the Natural Bridge Viewpoint area.

Driving

– A 90 minute drive towards Crater Lake. Jump on Interstate 5 towards Medford. Jump off Interstate 5 in Medford on the Crater Lake/ Route 62 exit. Turn right and take the New Bypass around the businesses and turn left when that road dead ends into the old Route 62.
Now, stay on Route 62 through White City, Shady Cove, Trail, past Lost Creek Lake, past Prospect and into the tall pines until you see the brown Natural Bridge Recreation Area sign pointing you to the left. Turn there, pass the campground area, and dead end into the Natural Bridge parking area.

Parking

– Huge National Forest parking lot with RV pull-throughs, turn arounds, and pit toilets.

The Adventure

– From the parking lot there are informational signs and a paved path and fenced lookout platforms for 200 yards that help the average person view the natural phenomenon that is Natural Bridge. It’s fine. But all of us cool people have already taken mom and grandma to see that thing eight times so today, we are heading downstream. Just before the paved trail crosses the Rogue River on that main bridge there is a trail to your left. It just says Trail #1034. It should say “Knob Falls – 1 ish miles!” It’s a delightful mile and at an unsigned, but obvious, trail intersection turn right to the Knob Falls overlook. There is also a tiny sandy beach above the falls if you don’t mind climbing a little bit.
Another 2 ish miles downstream and you reach the Takelma Bridge which has some decent looking falls of it’s own I must say. This place gets a lot of fishing traffic so if you packed your rod and reel you are in luck. You can also continue another 1 1/2 miles down to the Takelma Gorge or… just turn around here for a pleasant 6 miler.