11 Best Oregon Waterfall Hikes

Oregon is one of the best destinations in the country for hikers, campers, and waterfall peepers. Nothing compares to hearing the roaring rush of cascading water as you approach a waterfall, gazing your head upwards to admire the spraying rush, and maybe even dipping into the water to cool off after a long hike.

These are the very best Oregon waterfall hikes, ranging from super-simple hikes to rougher trails that will make you work for your rewarding view. Best of all, many of the waterfalls are spread throughout Oregon’s iconic Cascade Mountains, which means you have plenty of options to pick from for your next trip. Whether you decide on well-traveled paths to iconic waterfalls or muddy trails with river crossings and slippery rocks, there’s a waterfall hike for everyone on this round-up of the best waterfall hikes in Oregon

Best Oregon Waterfall Hikes – Mapped!

Best Waterfalls in Oregon

Multnomah Falls (Columbia River Gorge near Portland)

• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 810 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: Multnomah Falls Trailhead Parking Lot
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

Multnomah Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Oregon, and it’s only 30 minutes from downtown Portland. The best view is from the very start of the hike, when you can see both the top and bottom falls with the iconic bridge spanning the two. It’s a very short walk to the first falls, and then a little further up to the bridge.

The entire 2.4-mile hike will take you to the top of the falls, which has a view of the river and the tip of the falls, but the view is a bit anticlimactic compared to the original view of the falls. This hike is pretty crowded, and it can be difficult to find a parking spot, but it’s a classic waterfall hike nonetheless. If you find a full parking lot, just head to Elowah Falls down the road for another waterfall hike that’s likely to be less crowded.

Trail of Ten Falls (Silver Falls State Park)

• Distance: 9.0 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,404 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: South Falls Lodge Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: No

The Trail of Ten Falls is a well-maintained and popular trail about an hour from Portland. The trail weaves through 10 waterfalls, and South Falls and North Falls are the ones you don’t want to miss! You can make this hike shorter if you don’t hike to each and every waterfall, but each one is worth it. You can even hike right behind both South Falls and North Falls to fully experience the power of them. This is another one of the best waterfall hikes near Portland, Oregon.

Ramona Falls Trail (Mt. Hood Wilderness)

• Distance: 7.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,066 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: Ramona Falls Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

Ramona Falls is one of the most climactic waterfalls on this list. The trail to the falls is gradual, and the hardest part is the Sandy River Crossing near the beginning of the hike (which should not be attempted if the river is running fast or deep). As the trail follows the river, you’ll come to a fork in the trail with the Ramona Falls Trail to the left and the Pacific Crest Trail to the right; since this trail is a lollipop, you can take either trail to reach the falls, but most people go right and do the lollipop counterclockwise.

You’ll have a great view of the falls from a small bridge, which offers a great view of the 120-foot waterfall that breaks into many smaller cascades and streams intermixed with columns of basalt. Don’t forget your camera for this one!

Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool)

• Distance: 3.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 285 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: McKenzie River Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

This hike starts off in an old-growth Douglas fir forest, travels along a river and cliffside, and eventually descends into a dry river bed and old lava flow before finally reaching Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool), a cliff-rimmed photogenic deep pool of blue water.

The falls are relatively small and are typically only seen in the spring, but an underground spring feeds the falls year-round. This is one of the best waterfall hikes near Eugene, Oregon (66 miles away), and the crystal-blue waters alone should make this a great hike to add to your bucket list!

Watson Falls (Umpqua National Forest)

• Distance: 1.0 miles
• Elevation Gain: 524 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: Watson Falls Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

If you’re looking for easy waterfall hikes in Oregon, Watson Falls is the one for you! Clocking in at exactly 1.0 miles, this hike leads to the 272-foot Watson Falls as it plunges over basaltic lava rock. This is a short trail with a moderate climb, and it’s scenic the entire time and even crosses a beautiful wooden bridge.

There’s a viewing platform at the end right next to the waterfall, which provides a great view of the waterfall. Watson Falls is only thirty minutes north of Crater Lake National Park, which makes it an excellent half-day trip while you’re visiting the park.

Latourell Falls Loop Trail (Guy W. Talbot State Park)

• Distance: 3.0 miles
• Elevation Gain: 728 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: Latourell Falls Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

Another one of the best waterfall hikes near Portland, Latourell Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park, is near Multnomah Falls, making it an easy add-on if you want a full day exploring waterfalls. While the trail can be crowded, it is noticeably less busy after the first viewpoint 5 minutes in, where many groups turn around instead of finishing the loop trail.

Latourell is made up of the much-larger Lower Falls and the smaller Upper Falls, which offers more seclusion. This trail features some of the most beautiful scenery in the Columbia Gorge. Just beware, the trail can get really muddy!

Tumalo Falls via Tumalo Creek Trail (Deschutes National Forest)

• Distance: 6.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,217 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: Tumalo Falls Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: Yes on first part of loop, not on entire loop

One of the highlights of Oregon, Tumalo Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes near Bend, Oregon. Just 30 minutes from town, it’s a classic for the Bend community, so we recommend visiting mid-week or in the morning. The Tumalo Creek Trail will bring you along many waterfalls, including Tumalo Falls, Double Falls, Upper Falls, North Fork Falls, and Bridge Creek Falls.

If you hike the entire trail, be advised you’ll need to cross the Middle Fork Tumalo Creek by balancing on downed trees or by crossing through the river for 50 feet shore-to-shore. Always make sure it’s safe before crossing!

Toketee Falls (Umpqua National Forest)

• Distance: 0.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 167 ft.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead Start: Toketee Falls Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

Toketee means ‘graceful’ and ‘pretty’ — which is a perfect name for these waterfalls! An hour from Crater Lake National Park lies Toketee Falls, an easy, out-and-back hike that’s perfect for all skill levels. The falls itself is made of two steps flowing over picturesque columnar basalt. The upper falls descend 28 feet, and the lower falls descend 85 feet into a large pool of icy water.

There’s a viewing platform for a great photo of the falls, and visitors can also climb down a steep section to bathe in the icy water — just be sure to bring sturdy hiking shoes!

White River Falls (White River Falls State Park)

• Distance: 0.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 170 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: White River Falls Trailhead parking lot
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

Tucked away from other popular natural areas lies White River Falls, a 90-foot waterfall that plunges into an icy pool of water. This is another one of the easiest waterfall hikes in Oregon — you can see the waterfalls from a viewing platform right next to the parking lot.

A short but slightly-steep hike gets you right next to the water, but swimming isn’t recommended since the water can be forceful. A hydroelectric dam used to harness the power of the running water, but it’s been decommissioned.

Tamanawas Falls Trail (Mt. Hood Wilderness)

• Distance: 3.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 580 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: Tamanawas Falls Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

Tamanawas Falls is well-known for its 110-foot drop off a lava cliff near Mount Hood, about 90 minutes from Portland. The scenery is Mount Hood Wilderness is unparalleled, and this trail will take you along gorgeous section of the Hood River as you weave beneath douglas firs. The Tamanawas Falls Trail isn’t as crowded as others thanks to its length and distance from nearby cities.

If you plan to hike in the winter, be sure to bring your microspikes and trekking poles for traction, as well as some proper winter layers — but the frozen waterfall is well worth the trek!

Proxy Falls Loop Trail (Willamette National Forest)

• Distance: 1.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 147 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Start: Proxy Falls Trailhead
• Dogs Allowed: Yes

You don’t want to miss this classic waterfall hike in Central Oregon! The Proxy Falls Loop Trail crosses into the Three Sisters Wilderness with lava flows and lush forests as you make your way to Lower Proxy Falls (226 feet tall) and Upper Proxy Falls (129 feet tall), which flows into a large grotto you’ll want to snap a photo of.

Overall, this hike is a relatively easy loop (though rated as moderate due to weather conditions) and one of the best waterfall hikes in Oregon, so be sure to add this to your list!

Oregon Waterfall Hiking Tips

• Be prepared with day hiking essentials for all Oregon waterfall hikes
• The Pacific Northwest is notorious for its rainy season — be sure to pack layers and a rain jacket. Be sure to check out our guide on tips for hiking in the rain.
• Cell service can be very spotty depending on which hike you’re on, so download maps ahead of time using your favorite hiking apps, or buy a paper map.
• Waterfalls are extremely powerful and debris (like rocks and branches) can cause serious harm if you are standing directly under the falls. Be extremly cautious standing near, or swimming near, waterfalls.
• Expect busy trails and crowded parking lots at more popular waterfall hike trailheads. Start your hikes early to ensure you can snag a parking spot.

Did we include your favorite Oregon waterfall hike? Which hike is on your bucket list? Leave us a comment below!