The Most Breathtaking Waterfalls in Oregon

It’s no secret that I am 100 percent obsessed with all the waterfalls. I’ll pick a waterfall hike over any other 10 times out of 10. There are SO SO many beautiful waterfalls around the USA, but it’s hard to beat the breathtaking waterfalls in Oregon.

I haven’t been to them all yet (they are most definitely on my bucket list), so I reached out to other travel bloggers to bring you this epic waterfalls in Oregon bucket list!

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Map of Waterfalls in Oregon

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Top Waterfalls in Oregon

It’s time! Here’s the ultimate list of the very best waterfalls in Oregon! Be sure to check out the Oregon waterfall road trip itinerary and the free bucket list at the end of this post!

Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon

Who’s up for an adventure? Here are the very best hiking waterfalls in Oregon. From short 1 mile hikes to complete day-long hikes, you’ll surely find one that is perfect for you! They are organized from the shortest waterfall hikes to the longest 🙂

1. Abiqua Falls

• Location: Scotts Mills
• Distance of hike: 0.8 miles
• Fee: This trail is on private property, but it is free and open to the public for recreational use
• Dog-friendly? Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
• Where to stay: Oregon Garden Resort

Nestled within the lush forests of western Oregon, Abiqua Falls stands as a testament to the Pacific Northwest’s rugged beauty. It’s a waterfall that’s a bit of an enigma – with its 92-foot cascade of turquoise water dramatically spilling over an amphitheater of basalt columns, a geological rarity formed by the rapid cooling of molten lava.

The hike to the falls is about 0.8 miles. The elevation gain is 249 feet, making it a moderate challenge. The trail isn’t heavily marked and can be confusing, tucked in a forest of moss-covered trees. It’s located on private property owned by Mount Angel Abbey, but graciously open to the public.

As experienced by Nicoll Davis of Living Tiny With A Wolf 

2. Tokotee Falls

• Location: Idleyld Park
• Distance of hike: 0.8 miles
• Fee: None
• Dog-friendly? Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
• Where to stay: Umpqua’s Last Resort is a quirky glamping park, which offers a variety of options, from RV spots to tiny cabins and glamping tents.

Tokotee Falls is a stunning waterfall, found in Umpqua National Forest in central Oregon. Here, you can see the North Umpqua River as it cascades in two tiers 113-feet down a columnar basalt cliffside into a turquoise plunge pool below. 

The trail is easy, with a flat 0.4-mile walk through a beautiful forest along the rushing river. At the end, you’ll reach a wooden platform that overlooks the waterfall below. 

While you’re in the area, be sure to make the 15-minute drive east to Umpqua Hot Springs, a stunning series of hot springs carved into a cliffside, overlooking the exact same river you can see crash over Tokotee Falls!

As experienced by Jess of Uprooted Traveler

3. Proxy Falls

• Location: Willamette National Forest, near Sisters
• Distance of hike: 1.6-mile loop
• Fee: $5.00 day-use fee
• Dog-friendly: dogs are welcome on the trail, provided they are leashed.
• Where to stay: Best Western Ponderosa Lodge in Sisters

Proxy Falls, located in the Willamette National Forest near Belknap Springs, is a breathtaking cascade and plunge waterfall. It’s one of Oregon’s tallest plunge waterfalls, with a main drop of 226 feet. The waterfall is fed by springs on the shoulder of North Sister and plunges into a canyon near McKenzie Pass.

Proxy Falls is unique because there’s no visible pool of water at the bottom. Instead, the water sinks through porous lava rocks and disappears into the ground, creating a mysterious and enchanting effect.

The hike is a family-friendly adventure that offers incredible scenery without requiring extensive effort. The trail is a 1.6-mile loop, suitable for hikers of all skill levels, and usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete.

The trailhead is located off Mackenzie Highway (OR 242), and the hike begins by navigating through an ancient lava field, providing a unique hiking experience. The rocky terrain gives way to a lush, moss-covered forest as you continue. The path is slippery, so waterproof shoes with good grip are the best. Also, the breeze from waterfalls makes this area wet, so take a waterproof poncho.

While the trail is technically available year-round, the road to the trailhead is often closed in winter due to snowfall or wildfires in summer. 

As experienced by Agnes of The Van Escape

5. Plaikni Falls

• Location: Crater Lake National Park
• Distance of hike: around 2 miles round trip
• Fee: National Park entrance fee 
• Dog-friendly? No
• Where to stay: Crater Lake Lodge 

Plaikni Falls is a serene waterfall within Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is a must-visit on any Oregon road trip. The trail to Plaikni Falls is relatively short, with only a mile to reach the falls from the parking lot, so it’s doable by most people. 

The trail goes through a lush, green forest, where you can see many plants like ferns, moss, and wildflowers. The waterfall itself is graceful, surrounded by greenery.  Visiting Plaikni Falls offers a peaceful contrast to the more famous attractions in the park. The hike is on a dirt path, so sturdy shoes are necessary. Also, make sure to bring enough water for the hike. 

As experienced by Anu Agarwal of Destination Checkoff

6. Latourell Falls

• Location: Guy W. Talbot State Park in the Columbia River Gorge.
• Hike Distance: 2 miles
• Fee: Free!
• Dog-friendly: Yes!
• Where to Stay: Comfort Inn, Troutdale

Just a short drive from downtown Portland, you’ll find the 3rd tallest waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge.

The hike to Latourell Falls meanders through Guy W. Talbot State Park via a short and easy 2 mile trek. You will see some elevation gain at the beginning, so be prepared for a bit of a climb. It’s also known to be pretty slippery so be sure you have proper footwear.

Although it is less crowded that Multnomah falls, you should still try to arrive early in order to secure a parking spot (or just be patient until one opens up).

Keep Reading: Weirdly Wonderful Things to See in Oregon

7. Wahclella Falls 

• Location: Columbia River Gorge 
• Distance of Hike: 2.4 miles 
• Fee: $5 – Digital Recreation Day Pass 
• Dog-Friendly: Yes (Leashed) 
• Where to Stay: Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn 

For those who want to see several waterfalls during their trip to Oregon — a Columbia River Gorge day trip from Portland is the ideal way to see as many as possible! 

Wahclella Falls is one of the best (but least known) waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge because, unlike many waterfalls along the Gorge, this waterfall can only be reached by a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike. 

This scenic hike leads you past rivers and creeks through a canyon before arriving at the 350-foot, two-tiered Wahclella Falls. This majestic waterfall splashes into an enormous pool, and if you’re lucky, you may see salmon spawning at the base of the falls during the late summer or early fall.

As experienced by Brittany of Travel by Brit 

8. Horsetail Falls

• Location: Columbia River Gorge
• Hike Distance: 2.5 miles
• Fee: Free!
• Dog-friendly: Yes!
• Where to Stay: Skamania Lodge

Horsetail Falls is situated in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, 2.5 miles east of Multnomah Falls and a 30-minute drive from Hood River.

Easily accessible from the Historic Columbia River Highway, the falls are visible right from a parking area across the road.

But, for those interested in hiking, a 2.5-mile loop trail with low elevation leads you to the waterfall. Admission is free, and dogs are welcome as long as they’re leashed.

If you’re looking for accommodations and additional activities like world-class windsurfing, shopping and breweries, nearby Hood River is an excellent place to stay.

As experienced by Jill of Outside Nomad

9. Wahkeena Falls

• Location: Columbia River Gorge
• Hike Distance: 3.1 miles
• Fee: Free!
• Dog-friendly: Yes!
• Where to Stay: Comfort Inn, Troutdale

If you find yourself visiting the Columbia River Gorge, this trail is a must. Throughout the 3.1 mile journey you’ll gain almost 1,000 feet and pass by the magical Fairy Falls as well!

The trail is mostly paved, but is still considered moderately difficult due to the consistent incline. You’ll be well rewarded with up close views of the beautiful Wahkeena Falls though!

Spending some time in Portland? Check out the best things to do!

10. Punchbowl Falls

• Location: Columbia River Gorge
• Hike Distance: 4.8-mile round-trip hike
• Fee: $5 Cash at trailhead parking lot
• Dog-friendly: Yes
• Where to Stay: Skamania Lodge

Although much smaller than most of the waterfalls on this list, Punchbowl Falls is still and epic waterfall in Oregon. This unique 35-foot waterfall can be reached along the Eagle Creek Trail.

Be prepared for a bit of scrambling and climbing along this route, but the reward is worth it. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised as you pass by other waterfalls along the way!

11. Tumalo Falls

• Location: Deschutes National Forest
• Distance of Hike: 6.9 miles
• Fee: $5 for a Day Pass which you can purchase here
• Dog-friendly? No
• Where to Stay: LOGE Bend

The Tumalo Falls Loop is located just outside of Bend, Oregon and is a fantastic hike that is roughly 7 miles in length.

During your trek you will gain beautiful views of the surrounding forested area as well as views of the beautiful Tumalo Waterfall.

This trail is considered to be a moderately challenging route as you gain over 1,200 feet in elevation. Be sure to pack your favorite energy bars for hiking so that you stay healthy and happy while exploring this trail!

As experienced by Abby and Sam of Trekking Price’s

12. South Falls

• Location: Mehama
• Distance of hike: 8.5 miles (or about 0.5 miles if you walk to and from the parking lot to the South Falls)
• Fee: $5 day use 
• Dog-friendly? No, dogs are not allowed to go on the waterfall portion of the trail.
• Where to stay: Consider staying in the nearby city of Salem, like at the Grand Hotel, which offers an indoor pool and a solid complimentary breakfast.

The South Falls of Silver Falls State Park cascade dramatically down 177 feet into a pool below.

And while this waterfall is stunning in and of itself, what makes it incredibly unique is that you can actually walk behind it. Part of the cliff behind the waterfall has slowly eroded away for millions of years, which created a cavern-like passageway for hikers.

You can either reach the South Falls by walking down a short descent from the parking area or, alternatively, hiking along the much longer Trail of Ten Falls.

If you have the time and energy to hike this 8.5-mile trail, do it—true to its name, you’ll pass ten waterfalls along the pathway, four of which you can actually hike behind!

As experienced by Jessica of The Uprooted Traveler

Waterfalls in Oregon Without a Hike

13. Vidae Falls in Crater Lake National Park

• Location: East Rim Drive
• Distance of hike: scenic drive viewpoint, no hike is needed to see the falls
• Fee: $20-$30 per vehicle or free with an Interagency Annual Pass
• Dog-friendly: Yes
• Where to stay: Crater Lake Resort

Vidae Falls are a beautiful waterfall to explore when visiting Crater Lake National Park. The waterfall viewpoint is right off the East Rim Drive, 5 minutes from the Park Headquarters.

Summer is the best time to visit Vidae Falls. The entire Scenic Rim Drive is open from July to October. You can also enjoy blooming wildflowers next to the waterfall in July and August.

Enter the park at the Annie Spring Entrance Station. This is the fastest way to reach Vidae Falls. You could then continue to explore the lake, islands, and trails of Crater Lake.

As experienced by Anastasia of Travel Realist

14. Multnomah Falls

• Location: Columbia River Gorge near Portland, Oregon
• Distance of Hike: Viewpoint does not require a hike; various hikes available for other views
• Fee: $2 for required timed reservations between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Dog-friendly? Yes, as long as the dog is on a leash
• Where to Stay: Holiday Inn Express Portland East

Multnomah Falls is one of the most famous Oregon waterfalls. It is easy to access with the famous view a short and easy walk from the parking lot.

If you want to get the full experience, take the path to the bridge (less than a quarter mile each way) or hike all the way to the top of the waterfall (2.6 miles round trip. The viewpoint at the base stays crowded, but not nearly as many people hike to the top.

If you are visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, reservations are required because of how many people visit. However, get there before or after the required reservation hours to experience one of the best waterfall hikes near Portland without as many people around.

As experienced by Christine of Live Love Run Travel

Keep Reading: One Weekend in Portland

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There ya have it! 14 of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Oregon! It’s time to start planning an epic road trip!