Oregon Lawmakers Approve $2.1M to Purchase Iconic Abiqua Falls

The privately-owned waterfall, known for its 92-foot drop, will become public land after a century of private ownership.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:09pm

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The state of Oregon has approved $2.1 million to purchase Abiqua Falls, a beloved 92-foot waterfall that was recently put up for sale on Redfin. The waterfall has been privately owned for over a century but open to the public, with the current owner, a nonprofit that supports a community of Benedictine monks, deciding it was time to sell. Lawmakers stepped in to ensure the waterfall remains accessible to the public, though the specific management plan is still to be determined.

Why it matters

The sale of Abiqua Falls on the open market sparked concerns that the iconic natural wonder could be closed off to the public. The state's purchase ensures the waterfall will remain open and protected for generations to come, though there are still questions about how it will be managed going forward.

The details

Abiqua Falls, known for its 92-foot vertical drop over columnar basalt cliffs, has been privately owned by the Abbey Foundation of Oregon, a nonprofit that supports a community of Benedictine monks, since 2002. The foundation decided to put the property up for open auction earlier this year, leading to fears it could be purchased and closed off to the public. In response, Oregon lawmakers approved $2.1 million to acquire the waterfall and surrounding land, though the specific management plan is still to be determined by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

  • Abiqua Falls was put up for sale on Redfin in early 2026.
  • Oregon lawmakers approved $2.1 million to purchase the waterfall in March 2026.

The players

Abiqua Falls

A 92-foot waterfall in Oregon known for its natural beauty and columnar basalt cliffs.

The Abbey Foundation of Oregon

A nonprofit organization that has owned Abiqua Falls since 2002 and supports a community of Benedictine monks.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

The state agency that will complete due diligence and determine the management plan for Abiqua Falls after the state's purchase.

Willamette River Preservation Trust

A conservation nonprofit that submitted a bid to purchase Abiqua Falls and has supported the state's move to acquire the property.

Fred Girod

Republican state senator whose district includes Abiqua Falls, who said Oregon is pledging to protect and maintain access to the waterfall.

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What they’re saying

“It's not every day where you see a waterfall come up for sale on Redfin or Realtor.com with no price. The public was really confused and fearful that the site would be closed off.”

— Travis Williams, President of the Willamette River Preservation Trust

“Oregon is pledging that Abiqua Falls will continue to be protected and accessible for generations to come.”

— Fred Girod, Republican state senator

“We just realized that it was time. There were a lot of people that were hiking on the property, and while we welcome that, we wanted to ensure that the proper stewardship was overseeing it.”

— Amanda Staggenborg, Communications director, The Abbey Foundation of Oregon

What’s next

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department must complete due diligence, including reviewing environmental and archaeological information, before the purchase of Abiqua Falls can be finalized.

The takeaway

The state of Oregon's purchase of the iconic Abiqua Falls ensures this natural wonder will remain accessible to the public, though there are still questions about how the property will be managed going forward. This case highlights the importance of preserving public access to beloved natural sites, even when they are privately owned.