Oregon Lawmakers Approve $2.1 Million to Purchase Iconic Abiqua Falls

The privately-owned waterfall, open to the public for over a century, will now become state property.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:05am

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The state of Oregon has approved $2.1 million to purchase Abiqua Falls, a 92-foot waterfall that has been privately owned for over a century but open to the public. The waterfall, known for its natural beauty, was recently put up for sale on Redfin, sparking concerns that it could be closed off from public access. A bipartisan group of lawmakers stepped in to secure state funding to acquire the waterfall and surrounding land, ensuring it remains protected and accessible for generations to come.

Why it matters

Abiqua Falls is a beloved natural wonder in Oregon that has been enjoyed by the public for over a century. Its potential sale and closure to the public raised concerns about the preservation of natural resources and public access to outdoor spaces. The state's acquisition of the waterfall ensures it will remain open and protected as a public asset.

The details

Abiqua Falls, located about 30 miles east of Salem and 50 miles south of Portland, is known for its 92-foot vertical drop over a columnar basalt cliff. The waterfall 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, sparking fears that the waterfall could be closed off to the public. A bipartisan group of lawmakers stepped in to approve $2.1 million in state funding to purchase the waterfall and surrounding land, ensuring it remains open and accessible to the public.

  • Abiqua Falls has been privately owned for over a century.
  • The Abbey Foundation of Oregon acquired the waterfall in 2002.
  • The foundation put the property up for open auction in early February 2026.
  • The Oregon state legislature 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 cliff.

The Abbey Foundation of Oregon

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

Oregon State Legislature

The state government body that approved $2.1 million in funding to purchase Abiqua Falls and the surrounding land.

Travis Williams

President of the Willamette River Preservation Trust, a conservation nonprofit that submitted a bid to purchase Abiqua Falls.

Fred Girod

Republican state senator whose district includes Abiqua Falls.

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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.”

— Travis Williams, President, Willamette River Preservation Trust

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

— Fred Girod, State Senator

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 acquisition of the iconic Abiqua Falls ensures this natural wonder will remain open and accessible to the public, preserving an important natural resource for generations to come. This bipartisan effort demonstrates the value Oregonians place on protecting and maintaining access to the state's natural treasures.