One of Oregon’s most recognizable waterfalls is moving closer to permanent public ownership.
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved the $2 million acquisition of Abiqua Falls properties at its Sept. 23 meeting. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said the purchase includes 160 acres near Scotts Mills with unmaintained, user-created trails used for hiking, photography and fishing.
The transaction is not yet complete. Oregon State Parks expects the purchase to close near the end of the year while officials work out how the property will be developed and managed. The commission has asked staff for another update in November.
Abiqua Falls Had Been Privately Owned for More Than a Century
Abiqua Falls drops 92 feet over a distinctive wall of columnar basalt into a pool below. The waterfall sits near Scotts Mills in Marion County, roughly 30 miles east of Salem.
Despite its popularity, the waterfall has remained on private property for generations.
The Abbey Foundation of Oregon, which supports Mount Angel Abbey and Seminary, put the property containing the falls up for sale in February after more than a century of stewardship. Public access had historically been allowed despite the private ownership.
The listing quickly raised questions about whether future private ownership could change access to the waterfall. Oregon lawmakers responded during the 2026 legislative session by authorizing $2.1 million in bond funding for the state to pursue the acquisition.
The Parks Commission has now approved the purchase for $2 million.
What Happens to Abiqua Falls Next Is Still Being Decided
State ownership does not mean visitors should expect a fully developed state park immediately.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department officials are still considering how the property should be managed and what improvements would be required. Discussions are underway with Marion County and the Oregon Department of Forestry, and more specific plans are expected before the transaction closes.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director Lisa Sumption cautioned that bringing the property into the state system will require more than simply completing the purchase.
“It takes continuous staff, time and money for us to bring a property like this up to state park standards and keep it there.”
The property currently relies on informal trails rather than developed state park infrastructure. The route to the falls is known for a steep descent, rough terrain and an unpaved access road.
The state has not yet announced plans for parking areas, formal trails, restrooms or other visitor facilities.
An Oregon Waterfall With an Unusual Outdoor History
Abiqua Falls is particularly recognizable because of the basalt amphitheater surrounding the waterfall. The vertical columns were created as volcanic rock cooled and fractured, producing the geometric cliff face behind the falls.
The location has also attracted more than hikers and photographers. Abiqua Falls has appeared repeatedly in the extreme sports world, including when Norwegian athlete Asbjorg Nesje completed a 102-foot death dive at Abiqua Falls in 2024.
The state acquisition is primarily about the waterfall’s future as a public recreation and natural area.
The Oregon Legislature described its funding earlier this year as an effort to maintain long-term public access. With the Parks Commission’s approval now secured, the next major step will come in November, when officials are expected to provide more details about how Abiqua Falls could operate under public ownership.
