Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The forest trail winds a short way above the scenic Beaver Creek, over thick roots and jagged rocks, ending at a scene that seems to sparkle with beauty in Oregon's Coast Range.



Beaver Falls pours majestically over a lip of basalt, the water cascading 48 feet into a turquoise swimming pool that glimmers in the sunlight. Tiny waterfalls tend to trickle from the cliffs whenever the water is high, and at the right time of day you'll find rainbows in the mist.



Despite its beauty, Beaver Falls remains relatively unknown – though some locals are hoping that will change.



READ MORE: The 12 best waterfalls in Oregon's north Coast Range

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A woman and her dog enter the forest at the Beaver Falls Trailhead.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Beaver Falls plunges into a pool at the end of a short trail in Oregon's north Coast Range.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A painted sign on a tree points to Beaver Falls.

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The waterfall is managed by Columbia County, which considers it an "unimproved county park." That means it gets little attention from officials, who say a practically nonexistent parks budget forces them to pick and choose among many needs.



Local residents, however, pay the waterfall plenty of attention.



Casey Garrett, the director of Columbia County general services, which includes its parks, said people flock to the waterfall on practically every sunny weekend in the spring and summer, filling the small swimming hole to capacity.



"If you grew up in the Rainier-Clatskanie area, a lot of your days were probably spent at Beaver Falls," Garrett said. "I think people cherish it and know about it, especially in north Columbia County."



It was once also well known to tourists. In 1922, crews completed the Lower Columbia River Highway (better known as U.S. 30), offering a driving route along the Columbia River from Portland to Astoria. That route ran alongside Beaver Creek, passing just above Beaver Falls and Upper Beaver Falls.



The year the highway opened, The Oregonian ran a full-page photo of Beaver Falls, describing it as "one of the most picturesque spots between Portland and Astoria."



At some point during the ensuing decades, the Lower Columbia Highway was rerouted about a half-mile to the south, offering a more direct route to downtown Clatskanie, but bypassing the falls altogether.



Since then it's become something of a "secret spot," known mostly to locals, waterfalls hunters and those in the know.



Garrett said Columbia County officials would like that to change, however, as they continue to look for ways to bring more tourism dollars to the area.



"We're at a point where, as a county, we've decided … that we actually want to promote all our great locations like that," Garrett said. "I'd say we're in a great spot to promote what's a little bit of a secret."

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Beaver Falls plunges into a pool, painted with sunlight streaming down Beaver Creek.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Faded paint on an old wooden post is the only sign at the Beaver Falls Trailhead.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Beaver Falls Trail winds through a forested canyon in Oregon's north Coast Range.

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Beaver Falls practically sells itself, but it still lacks one thing that would help people find it: signs to show the way.



There are no signs on Beaver Falls Road that announce the waterfall trail, nor any signs at the parking area itself. The only sign at the trailhead is an old wooden post, on which the letters "BFTH" are painted in red – though it's so faded now, it's practically indecipherable.



If you manage to set off on the correct trail (a second trail leaves from the parking lot, heading dangerously down a rocky slope to the shores of Beaver Creek), the only sign that proves you're on the right path is a red arrow spray-painted onto a tree, pointing in the general direction of the waterfall.



The lack of signage is a problem, Garrett said, but fixing it just hasn't been a priority for Columbia County officials. Instead, they've been investing money in other county parks, like the Crown Z Trail and Salmonberry Lake.



"Beaver Falls, it is what it is for the moment, it isn't really a big priority," he said.



That's not to say Beaver Falls is neglected completely. Once or twice a year, a volunteer cleanup crew comes to take care of the area, Garrett said, primarily to pick up trash.



On a recent visit this winter, I found some graffiti on the rocks, as well as some trash and broken glass underfoot. The trail to the waterfall was clear of brush and fallen trees, and access was easy until a slight scramble down loose rock at the end.



Officials are unaware of any significant incidents or injuries at Beaver Falls in recent years. In 1995, two people died after falling from the cliffs while trying to get a better view of the waterfall from the highway. At some point, a car also apparently drove over the cliffs and crashed into the water at the base of the falls. The car remains there today, Garrett said.



Vandalism and sunken car aside, the scenic waterfall seems to be a little slice of paradise between Portland and Astoria. Some locals might bemoan a surge in popularity, but all beautiful places are bound to be discovered – or in this case, rediscovered.



--Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB



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