One of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic waterfalls is for sale.
Abiqua Falls, a 92-foot waterfall near Scotts Mills that has graced the covers of magazines, newspapers and websites, was listed for sale on Redfin on Feb. 2 without a price.
The waterfall is listed as an “exemplary natural feature” on the 40 acres of land for sale.
“Water features of this size and importance are almost universally public or protected,” the listing reads. “It is extremely rare for waterfalls of this size to be privately owned.”
The falls are owned by Mount Angel Monastery, which has traditionally allowed public access to remote areas southeast of Silverton and northeast of Silver Falls State Park.
Abiqua Falls is for sale.
Abbey said in a statement that its foundation has been working with the Bureau of Land Management for nearly 10 years to seek to trade the Abiqua property with “a similar 40-acre property more contiguous with the foundation’s other sustainably harvested timber properties.”
However, the deal never materialized and “after some negotiations, the foundation trustees sought to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities by selling the property in the hope that the new owner would be able to continue stewardship of this incredible resource into the future.”
Waterfall’s popularity exploded in the 2010s with the advent of social media, which made managing the site tricky. Several people have been injured there, including a 22-year-old Utah man who was rescued in May after jumping from a waterfall.
Some whitewater kayakers have also made news after jumping from waterfalls.
The property is zoned Forest, “a designation intended to protect natural resources and limit intensive development. Ownership is best suited to buyers who value conservation, privacy and long-term stewardship of important natural lands,” the listing states.
The list also cites Oregon’s newly passed recreational immunity law, which limits landowner liability if people are injured while recreating and visiting without paying.
The Abiqua Falls property “is suitable for intergenerational ownership by a family, foundation or institution seeking alignment with long-term conservation, stewardship and legacy. It is more than just the land that owns the falls, it is the custodianship of a long-standing independent natural landmark in the Pacific Northwest,” the listing reads.
It’s unclear to what extent buyers can develop the property.
In addition to the Abiqua Falls property, there are another 160 acres available for sale on Abiqua Creek.
Public lands advocate Ryan Ernst said it’s crucial for the public to speak out to ensure the property remains available for use.
“We have an incredible opportunity to carry on the service the monastery provides to the public,” he said, adding that it makes sense as part of a national forest. “I hope the state can find a way to acquire this special and unique place so the public can continue to find nature and themselves.
“It’s time for the public to speak up for Abiqua Falls and hopefully there will be some listening ears at the top. It would be a shame to see it fall into the hands of a private entity and access rights will be changed. We’re not gaining any recreational space but seem to be losing more and more.”
Zach Urness has been an outdoor reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached via: zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on X @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky oregonoutdoors.bsky.social
This article originally appeared in the Salem Statesman-Journal: Oregon’s iconic Abiqua Falls is for sale. what to know
