Are you looking for the best waterfalls near Portland? I spend most of my weekends hiking with my husband in Oregon. In that time, I’ve seen hundreds of waterfalls and there’s a surprising amount near Portland (where I’m proud to call home).
I didn’t want that knowledge to go to waste, so today I wanted to share my personal list of the best waterfalls near Portland. I’m not one for small talk, let’s dive into the good stuff.
Best Waterfalls Near Portland
Good to know: The numbers on this list are for organizational purposes, not ranking. All of these waterfalls are great!
Click for the Table of Contents
Table of Contents: Waterfalls Close to Portland
1. Latourell Falls
- Distance from Portland: 35 minutes
- Mileage: 2.4 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Latourell Falls is the closest waterfall to Portland within the striking Columbia River Gorge. As such, it’s one of the most popular hikes in the area. Seriously, everyone and their dog has seen it, loved it, and told the tale.
Plunging a jaw-dropping 220 feet over the lip of an impressive columnar basalt amphitheater, Latourell Falls is the third largest waterfall in the Columbia Gorge. You can get right to the base of the waterfall, but plan to get sprayed if you do.
After admiring the falls, ascend the easy 2.4-mile trail towards Upper Latourell Falls as well. Big rewards for little effort, Latourell Falls serves as the perfect introduction to the best waterfalls near Portland.
2. Wahkeena Falls
- Distance from Portland: 35 minutes
- Mileage: 0.5 miles out and back
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
At 242 feet, Wahkeena Falls may not reach the towering heights of its famous neighbor, Multnomah Falls, but don’t make the mistake of writing it off. The trail to the falls winds through a lush forest adorned with ferns, mossy rocks, and tall Douglas firs, offering a calming escape into nature.
To really soak it in, follow the short path straight to the waterfall itself (this feels more like a walk than a hike). Much less crowded than Multnomah Falls but no less beautiful, this is one of my favorite waterfall hikes near Portland.
If you continue down the trail for three miles you’ll find yourself in front of another beauty, Fairy Falls. Seeing both waterfalls would clock in at a six miles, which is the perfect length and effort before hitting up your favorite Portland brewery.
3. Multnomah Falls
- Distance from Portland: 30 minutes
- Note: Timed Entry Only
- Mileage: 1/4 mile
- Parking Pass Required?: Yes, must reserve in advance
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, must be kept on leash.
Plunging a staggering 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon. Attracting international visitors on a daily basis, this waterfall is a breathtaking sight that can be enjoyed up close and personal. Take a hike to the Benson Bridge (pictured above) for a better vantage of the towering falls.
Meander past the rushing force of Multnomah Falls and feel the mist along the paved trail. The hike is not too taxing on the knees and well worth the effort, which makes this this one of the best family-friendly waterfall hikes near Portland.
If you’re feeling up for an adventure, I suggest continuing the hike past the Benson Bridge en route to Multnomah Falls Upper Viewpoint. The full hike is 2.4 miles out and back through a series of switchbacks, but it’s a great way to separate yourself from the crowds if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
As you can imagine, this is one of the most popular waterfall hikes near Portland, heck — probably the state as a whole. To mitigate overuse, parking and timed entry have been implemented. Make sure to read up on the rules using the reservation links above.
4. Tamanawas Falls
- Distance from Portland: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Mileage: 3.4 miles out and back
- Parking Pass Required?: Yes, Northwest Forest Pass or $5 at trailhead
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Of all the incredible waterfalls near Portland, none has impressed me more than Tamanawas Falls at Mount Hood National Forest (although Ramona Falls does come close). The waterfall reveals itself at the lip of an impressive lava cliff and cascades down a thundering 110 feet before reaching the chilly pool below.
The best part? Reaching this epic waterfall requires a 3.4-mile hike so the waterfall isn’t as crowded as some of the other more popular waterfalls near Portland. Clean mountain air and a striking evergreen forest guide the way as the trail hugs the pristine Cold Spring Creek for 1.5-miles before spitting you out at a breathtaking viewpoint.
Don’t rush your time at the viewpoint and allow the magic of the moment to enchant you. You are at the base of one of Oregon’s best waterfalls, take it all in because you’ve earned it.
5. Ramona Falls
- Distance from Portland: 1 hour 11 minutes
- Mileage: 7 miles out and back
- Parking Pass Required?: Yes, Northwest Forest Pass or $5 at trailhead
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Speaking of Ramona Falls. Tell any Portlander that you plan to spend a day at Mt. Hood National Forest and you’re bound to get a recommendation to visit Ramona Falls, one of the best waterfalls near Portland, Oregon.
Following the Sandy River, the 7-mile trail to Ramona Falls is best described as moderate, but it’s so scenic the time seems to fly by. We’ve hiked so many trails in Oregon over the years and consider this one of the most beautiful.
Reaching Ramona Falls requires sturdy footwear and a sense of adventure. An old bridge that connected the trail past the Sandy River was washed out so hikers now need to cross the river by balancing on logs. The adventurous hike to the falls is half the fun!
This is an increasingly popular waterfall hike near Portland during summer because of the trail’s proximity to the city. I recommend getting to the falls as early as possible to avoid crowds. We hiked it last summer about an hour after sunrise and had the whole trail to ourselves.
6. Trail of Ten Falls
At 9,000 acres, Silver Falls State Park is the largest state park in Oregon. Home to numerous waterfalls, it’s considered the crown jewel of the state park system. The best way to explore this area? Hike the epic Trail of Ten Falls where you’ll wander past 10 waterfalls in the span of less 8 miles.
Of all the breathtaking waterfalls on the Trail of Ten Falls, none is more photographed than South Falls. Plunging to striking depths of 175 feet, hikers are allowed to go behind the thundering curtain for a unique hiking experience that feels like a sacred privileged.
So if you’re looking for the best waterfall hikes near Portland, the Trail of Ten Falls simply can’t be missed.
Note: Dogs are prohibited on the Canyon Trail portion of this Oregon hike, which is where the waterfalls are located.
7. Punch Bowl Falls
- Distance from Portland: 45 minutes
- Mileage: 4.2 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: Yes, Northwest Forest Pass or $5 at trailhead
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Located about 2-miles into the epic Eagle Creek Trail en route to Tunnel Falls, Punch Bowl Falls is an aptly-named waterfall well worth the trek. This adventurous hike lives up to to the hype, even with the charred tattoo of the teenager-caused Eagle Creek Fire of 2017.
The trail follows towering basalt walls, mammoth conifers, vine-tangled maples, and a plethora of cascading waterfalls. Indeed, every inch of the trail treats hikers to the quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, which is why it’s one of the best waterfall hikes near Portland.
Local’s Advice: One thing to note is that while the photo above is current, most of the images you see of Punch Bowl Falls are no longer accurate. As a result of the fire, a massive log jam now blocks the original entrance to the falls. Reaching the waterfall requires a difficult (but doable) trek over the log pile.
Good to Know: Locals swarm to this beloved watering hole in the hot summer months, but take warning – cliff diving is prohibited (and subject to a $300 fine).
8. Gorton Creek Falls
- Distance from Portland: 50 minutes
- Mileage: 1.5 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: Yes, Northwest Forest Pass or $5 at trailhead
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
This epic waterfall hike is as whimsical as you can image. It starts at Wyeth Trailhead near Gorton Creek where a heavily moss-laden trails leads you to Gorton Creek Falls, a secluded 115 feet waterfall.
The trail follows a path for 1/2 mile before ending at Emerald Falls, another pretty waterfall worth admiring. This is where the fun starts. The hike between Emerald Falls and Gorton Creek Falls requires sturdy slip-proof shoes and a sense of adventure.
Hiking to this incredible waterfall close to Portland feels like a true adventure because you need to scramble up some boulders to reach it. As long as you watch your step and don’t rush, you’ll be completely fine, I’ve done it a few times without any issues.
For reasons unbeknown to me, Gorton Creek Falls is a hidden gem. It’s much less popular than most of the waterfall in the Columbia Gorge making it a great option for anyone interested in uncrowded waterfalls near Portland.
9. Bridal Veil Falls
- Distance from Portland: 30 minutes
- Mileage: 1.4 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Bridal Veil Falls is one of the best waterfalls near Multnomah Falls for kids because it’s easily accessible (this is more of a walk than a hike). There’s two short hikes to choose from.
The first is the Overlook Trail, which is a half-mile walk to a paved overlook with breathtaking views of the Gorge. You’ll get a unique vantage of Beacon Rock, Hamilton Mountain alongside sweeping views of the Columbia River below.
The second option is the lower trail, which is 1/2 mile walk to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, a picturesque 118 foot waterfall that is only accessible via short hike. Since both trails are easy to do with kids I recommend tackling them in tandem.
10. Elowah Falls
- Distance from Portland: 40 minutes
- Mileage: 1.5 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
At 213 feet, Elowah Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls near Portland. Better still, the trail leading to the waterfall is considered one of the most scenic hikes in the Columbia Gorge, reason alone to visit.
The huge basaltic alcove the waterfall commands (which practically glows green with lichen), is an unforgettable sight. Popular with beginners, this easy 1.5-mile round trip jaunt might only wet your whistle for a longer hike.
If that’s the case, you can tack on a longer hike to the twin-barrel drop of Upper McCord Creek Falls. Build your own adventure? Yep. One of the many reasons this is one of the best waterfall hikes near Portland.
Can’t get enough of these epic waterfalls? Head to Bend, Oregon for a high concentration of show-stopping waterfalls. You can see some of them in the video above!
Best Waterfalls Near Portland (Post Summary)
- Multnomah Falls
- Ramona Falls
- Punch Bowl Falls
- Trail of Ten Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Latourell Falls
- Tamanawas Falls
- Wahkeena Falls
- Gorton Creek Falls
- Elowah Falls
Starting in spring summer of 2022 you will need a pass to drive the scenic highway in the Columbia gorhe. You can’t just decode to go for a drive at the last minute.
Thankfully they repealed that for lack of funding and it is now drivable without a permit. There is construction going on through 2026 though so check that for road closures.