Oregon has more waterfalls than any other state in the country (over 200 named falls), and the variety is genuinely staggering. You’ve got Multnomah Falls, which at 620 feet is the tallest in the state and one of the most visited natural attractions in the Pacific Northwest. You’ve got Silver Falls, where you walk behind a 177-foot waterfall. You’ve got Toketee Falls, where the water pours over columnar basalt that looks like it was designed by an architect. And those are just the famous ones. My husband and I have made waterfall chasing a hobby, and we still haven’t seen them all.
Here are the best waterfalls in Oregon, from the famous to the hidden. For the Columbia Gorge falls specifically, check my Columbia Gorge hikes guide.
Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s most famous waterfall and the most visited natural recreation site in the state. The falls drop 620 feet in two tiers, and the historic Benson Bridge at the 105-foot level gives you a face-to-face view of the upper falls. The walk from the parking area to the bridge is paved and takes about 10 minutes. If you want to earn it, the trail continues 1.2 miles to the top of the falls with views down the Gorge.
Multnomah Falls is about 30 minutes east of Portland on I-84. A timed reservation is required to park at the falls during peak season (May through September). Check Recreation.gov for permits. For the full guide, check my Multnomah Falls day trip guide.
Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls is one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the Gorge. The 224-foot plunge waterfall drops over a wall of yellow-green lichen-covered basalt, and the base pool is easily accessible via a short paved trail (about 150 yards from the parking lot). A 2.3-mile loop trail takes you to the top of the falls and past the upper falls. It’s less crowded than Multnomah and just as impressive in its own way.
Wahclella Falls
Wahclella Falls is a 2-mile round trip hike that ends at a powerful two-tiered waterfall in a mossy amphitheater. The trail follows Tanner Creek through old-growth forest and is one of the most rewarding short hikes in the Gorge. The falls are 350 feet tall in total (the lower tier is the most dramatic), and the pool at the base is beautiful. It’s popular but less so than Multnomah, and the hike itself is beautiful.
Elowah Falls
Elowah Falls (213 feet) is one of the most underrated waterfalls in the Gorge. A short 1.6-mile round trip hike through mossy forest leads to the base of a single-plunge waterfall that’s particularly impressive in spring and early summer when the flow is strong. It’s less visited than most Gorge falls, which gives it a more peaceful feel.
Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls State Park is about 1.5 hours south of Portland and contains the famous Trail of Ten Falls, a 7.2-mile loop that passes 10 waterfalls, including 4 that you walk behind. South Falls (177 feet) is the star, and walking behind the curtain of water through the basalt cavern is a bucket-list Oregon experience. The full loop takes 3 to 4 hours and is moderate in difficulty. For the complete guide, check my Silver Falls day trip guide.
Central Oregon Waterfalls
Tumalo Falls (Bend)
Tumalo Falls is a 97-foot waterfall about 20 minutes west of Bend, and it’s one of the most accessible waterfalls in Central Oregon. You can see it from the viewpoint at the parking area (literally a 30-second walk), or hike the trail above the falls for more views and a series of smaller cascades upstream. The falls are set in ponderosa pine forest and have a completely different feel from the mossy Gorge falls. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking.
Tamanawas Falls (Mt. Hood)
Tamanawas Falls is a beautiful 100-foot waterfall about 30 minutes south of Hood River on the east side of Mt. Hood. The 3.4-mile round trip hike follows Cold Spring Creek through old-growth forest and ends at the base of a waterfall that pours over a basalt cliff into a mossy amphitheater. It’s one of the most beautiful waterfall hikes in Oregon and doesn’t require a permit. For more on the area, check my Hood River weekend guide.
Southern Oregon Waterfalls
Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls might be the most beautiful waterfall in Oregon. The 113-foot falls pour over a wall of perfectly formed columnar basalt that looks like it was assembled by hand. The 0.4-mile trail to the viewpoint is short but includes a steep staircase at the end. The falls are in the Umpqua National Forest, about 2.5 hours south of Portland (or an hour north of Crater Lake), and they’re beautiful year-round.
Watson Falls
Watson Falls (272 feet) is the third tallest waterfall in Oregon and is just a short drive from Toketee Falls, making it easy to combine the two. The trail to the base is about 0.6 miles through old-growth forest and ends at a massive waterfall surrounded by moss and ferns. It’s less visited than it deserves, probably because of its remote location.
Sahalie and Koosah Falls (McKenzie River)
Sahalie Falls (100 feet) and Koosah Falls (70 feet) are two powerful waterfalls on the McKenzie River about 1.5 hours east of Eugene. They’re connected by a short 2.6-mile trail, and both are accessible from roadside viewpoints if you don’t want to hike. The volume of water is impressive (the McKenzie is a big river), and the falls are surrounded by old-growth forest and volcanic rock. Combine with a stop at Belknap Hot Springs, which is nearby.
Oregon Coast Waterfalls
Yes, the Oregon Coast has waterfalls too. Hug Point Falls near Cannon Beach drops directly onto the beach and is accessible at low tide. Munson Creek Falls near Tillamook is the tallest waterfall in the Coast Range at 266 feet. Neither requires a long hike, and both make great additions to a coast road trip.
Tips for Waterfall Chasing in Oregon
Spring is peak flow. April through June is when snowmelt and rain keep the falls at their most powerful. Summer falls are still beautiful but often reduced in volume.
Wear waterproof shoes. Trails to waterfalls are almost always muddy, and spray at the base can soak you. Good hiking boots or waterproof trail shoes are essential.
Bring a rain jacket. Even on sunny days, waterfall spray and gorge mist can get you wet. A packable rain layer is always smart.
Check for permits. Multnomah Falls requires a timed parking permit in summer. Silver Falls charges a $5 day-use fee. Many forest service trailheads require a Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day or $30/year).
Quick Tips
- For the Columbia Gorge falls specifically, check my Columbia Gorge hikes guide.
- Check Recreation.gov for permits.
- For the full guide, check my Multnomah Falls day trip guide.
- For the complete guide, check my Silver Falls day trip guide.
- For more on the area, check my Hood River weekend guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Oregon?
Toketee Falls is the most visually striking with its columnar basalt. Multnomah Falls is the most impressive by scale (620 feet). South Falls at Silver Falls is the most fun to experience (you walk behind it). Every Oregonian has a different answer, and they’re all right.
What is the tallest waterfall in Oregon?
Multnomah Falls at 620 feet (two tiers) is the tallest. Watson Falls at 272 feet is the tallest single-drop waterfall.
Can you swim at Oregon waterfalls?
Swimming is allowed at some waterfalls but not all. Abiqua Falls (a popular swimming hole near Salem) and some Gorge creek pools allow swimming. Always check local regulations and be aware that waterfall pools can have strong currents and cold temperatures. Never swim directly under a waterfall due to the force of the water.
Oregon’s waterfalls are one of the things that make this state feel magical. Walk behind a 177-foot waterfall. Stand at the base of a 620-foot giant. Find a hidden cascade in the middle of nowhere that makes you feel like the first person to see it. They’re everywhere, they’re free (mostly), and they never get old. What’s your favorite Oregon waterfall? Drop it in the comments.
