One of the most iconic waterfalls in the U.S. state of Oregon, the 28-meter Abiqua Falls, has unexpectedly appeared on the private real estate market. This natural landmark east of Salem is known for its basalt columns and wide plunge pool, which has become a popular swimming spot. For nearly a century the land containing the falls belonged to Mount Angel Abbey, and since 2000 to its nonprofit Abbey Foundation of Oregon, which has now put the property up for sale. The abbey, founded in 1882 by Benedictine monks from Switzerland, is an important religious, educational and cultural center in Oregon. The monks have traditionally acquired large tracts of land for solitude, agriculture and conservation in keeping with their spiritual values, which explains the nearly century-long ownership of this site.
The foundation announced an auction sale of 16 hectares of land, where potential buyers name their own price. The lot description calls the falls a “nationally recognized” natural feature that existed long before modern property boundaries. Sellers emphasize that water features of this scale and renown are almost always publicly owned or protected, and private ownership of a waterfall of this level is extraordinarily rare.
The sale follows almost a decade of attempts by the abbey to negotiate a deal with state or conservation organizations. One such party was the Willamette River Preservation Trust, which negotiated in 2025. That nonprofit conservation group, which focuses on protecting the Willamette River basin, often acts through quick, flexible deals funded by private donations, allowing it to respond more nimbly than state agencies. The trust’s president, Travis Williams, who lives nearby, expressed frustration, saying the sudden decision to sell publicly showed a lack of “civic-mindedness” on the part of the abbey’s foundation.
However, after the sale was announced, none of the state agencies responsible for public lands indicated willingness to bid. The Oregon Department of Forestry does not plan to acquire new lands for state forests, and the Department of State Lands said the purchase would not be a good investment for the state’s school fund. The Parks and Recreation Department cited budget constraints and competing priorities and added that it had not even been aware the sale was being planned. These agencies, despite missions that align with conserving such landmarks, often face bureaucratic processes and lack the ability to move quickly to acquire private land, especially when large investments are required.
Public access to the falls, which the monastery has always allowed, could continue if the new owner chooses to permit it. In 2025 Governor Tina Kotek signed a law that provides landowners, public and private, broad immunity from lawsuits in the event of injuries to recreational users. That law was passed ten days after a tourist was seriously injured jumping from the top of Abiqua Falls and required an emergency rescue.
Reaching the falls is already difficult: the final stretch of road requires a high-clearance vehicle, and a short but challenging 1.3 km round-trip hike involves using ropes to descend to the riverbed. Travis Williams notes the new owner will face the need to manage tourist flows, address trash, parking and trail maintenance. In his view, fully closing access to the falls will be virtually impossible.
The abbey says it is simply time to pass the responsibility for preserving this natural treasure to another owner. “For more than 100 years Mount Angel Abbey and its foundation have preserved and protected this unique, majestic place, sharing its timeless beauty with the community. Now it is time for someone else to love and care for this property in the same spirit for future generations,” said abbey spokeswoman Amanda Staggenborg.
Based on: One of Oregon’s most iconic waterfalls is up for sale