Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Waterfall hikes in Oregon are almost always spectacular, but by the time you reach your fourth or fifth they do have a way of running together.



Thank goodness for places like Drift Creek Falls.



The spectacular waterfall hike near Lincoln City on the central Oregon coast is like no other in the state. After hiking 1.5 miles through a quiet coastal forest, visitors are treated to views of the dramatic waterfall from a 240-foot suspension bridge hanging 100 feet above the canyon floor.



The bridge is certainly stable and safe to cross, though anyone afraid of heights might want to look from afar.



Drift Creek Falls is relatively small compared with other waterfalls in Oregon, measuring only 66 feet tall (Multnomah Falls is a towering 635 feet tall). Still, it's a good-looking plunge, pouring over a rugged basalt cliff into Drift Creek below.



The waterfall is especially powerful in the winter and spring, when fed by storms that soak Oregon's Coast Range. With good coverage from the forest canopy, it's a perfect rainy day hike during the wet season.



READ MORE: The 12 best rainy day hikes around Oregon

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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You can get a good look at the waterfall from the bridge. But cross to the end and continue to follow the trail, and you'll wind up at a creek-level viewpoint of Drift Creek Falls.



In all, the roughly 3-mile round-trip hike is an easy excursion for those seeking an inland adventure on the central Oregon coast. You can find a lot of waterfalls in Oregon, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anything quite like this.



To reach the Drift Creek Falls trailhead from Lincoln City, take U.S. 101 south to Cutler City, then turn left onto Drift Creek Road. In 2 miles, make a slight left onto Forest Road 17, at a small sign for Drift Creek Falls. Continue on the road for about 10 miles, following signs for Drift Creek Falls. The trailhead parking lot will be on the right. Parking is $5, or display a valid forest pass. There are vault toilets, but no water at the trailhead.



SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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