The best waterfalls in Oregon

The third stop of our autumn trip around Portland was the main reason for this whole journey — Multnomah Falls. I had seen photos of its stunning fall colors online, and that was what inspired me to plan this trip in the first place.

We set out early in the morning and arrived by public transport a little after 9 am, hoping to spend as much time as possible around the falls. Full of excitement, I planned to challenge myself with a roughly five-mile loop hike from Multnomah Falls to Wahkeena Falls. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. A light rain started shortly after we arrived, and the stone trail became wet and slippery. At the time, I was completely absorbed by the grandeur of the waterfalls and didn’t really think about the risks of hiking in the rain.

In late autumn, Multnomah Falls was decorated with sparse yellow leaves. Surrounded by mist and clouds, it felt like something out of a fairy tale. The falls are divided into upper and lower sections by the iconic stone bridge. Standing on the bridge, you can feel the thunderous roar of the water up close. Nearby, we also noticed another waterfall of similar height, but much more delicate and thin, resembling Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite. One waterfall felt bold and powerful, while the other was quiet and graceful, creating a beautiful contrast.

Salt Creek Falls | Salt Creek Falls

Oregon’s second-highest waterfall, a breathtaking natural wonder that truly stirs the soul.

Oregon is full of incredible hidden gems, and Salt Creek Falls is definitely one of the most underrated yet stunning spots. At 286 feet (about 87 meters) tall, it is the second-highest waterfall in Oregon. The water plunges powerfully off the cliff into a deep canyon below, surrounded by lush greenery, creating an almost magical atmosphere.

Latourell is even more stunning than the famous Multnomah Falls. What makes it especially striking is the fan-shaped basalt columns behind the waterfall, creating a powerful visual impact. By coincidence, I had just visited “The Columns” at Skinner Butte Park in Eugene the day before (photo 8), and they look almost identical—in fact, they both originated from the same volcanic lava flows about 15 million years ago.

In Eugene, The Columns have become a popular rock climbing spot, while at Latourell, the columns perfectly frame the waterfall, making it one of the most unique photography backdrops in the gorge.

I have to admit, Oregon’s waterfalls are not only abundant but incredibly beautiful Around the famous Multnomah Falls, there are more than 10 waterfalls of all sizes, many with their own unique features—Latourell Falls being a standout.

Portland Multnomah Falls – Wahkeena Falls loop

The waterfall area around Portland is super famous, and the biggest and most iconic one is Multnomah Falls. If you want to hit most of the major waterfalls in one go, this outer loop is a good choice — around 3.5 hours in total, with less than 500 m elevation gain (depending on route).

This loop starts from Multnomah Falls, and passes Dutchman Falls, Wiesendanger Falls, Fairy Falls, and finally Wahkeena Falls at the base. The trail numbers are Trail 441, Wahkeena Trail 420, and Return Trail 442.

Located about 13 miles west of Bend, Tumalo Falls is especially impressive in summer when water flow is strong. Besides the main waterfall, there are also several smaller cascades that make the whole منظر feel more layered and picturesque, which is why it attracts plenty of waterfall lovers.

In winter, the scenery along the way becomes even more dynamic, showcasing the unique character of Central Oregon. By the time you reach the viewpoint, you’ll see Tumalo Falls surging out of the canyon, framed by ponderosa pine forests draped in snow — making the whole scene feel even more vivid.

From November 1 to April 30, parking is available at Skyliners parking area for $4 (or $25 for an annual pass). In summer, you can drive up and park at the Tumalo Falls Day Use Area, where parking costs $5 (or covered by the $30 Northwest Forest Pass).

From Seattle down to Oregon

Toketee Falls — about 1 mile in total, 167 ft elevation gain. The entire trail is well-built with boardwalks, taking around 30 minutes round trip, very beginner-friendly.

On the way to the falls, you’ll also pass a blue heart-shaped pool with a small waterfall — super beautiful.

This waterfall is accessed directly from the roadside. It is divided into an upper and a lower waterfall. The upper falls are more obscured by trees and flow into a pool with no visible outlet, said to extend underground. The lower falls are reached via a rough path that people have formed through messy trees. It is unclear what the original trail looked like. You have to hold onto fallen logs to make your way down. Getting close to the waterfall almost feels like walking along tree trunks.

Driving from Portland takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, heading straight into the primitive forests of central Oregon to reach this unreal wild waterfall, Proxy Falls. Proxy is about 45 minutes from Sisters and 1.5 hours from Bend. But it is worth it. For the detailed route, there are two waterfalls. After parking by the roadside, we went clockwise and looped back. Although we saw a sign saying one way trail, it is actually not strictly one way. Just follow AllTrails. There is no signal, so download everything in advance. Photos 3 and 4 show Upper Falls, which is easier to reach. Along the way there were red and yellow leaves, full of autumn vibes. The first stop is Proxy Falls, which requires some climbing to reach, a bit messy, and it was raining so the path was slippery. You can also view it from a distance as in photo 6. Or cross over many fallen trees and follow the sound to reach the base of the waterfall. The orange return route from Proxy Falls is not easy to walk, full of rocks. On the drive in, you will pass Dee Wright Observatory. The only downside is that it is a bit far and cold, around eight to nine degrees. I came from California wearing light clothes, while others were in down jackets. For lunch we went to Sno Cap Drive In in Sisters, recommended by a local we met while hiking, said to have the best burgers.

Route navigation and basic info Search keyword Proxy Falls Trailhead Coordinates 44.1617856, -121.9278256 No formal parking lot but you can park along the roadside No signal at all, make sure to download offline maps in advance

Ramona Falls, Oregon — What to Know Before You Go

Ramona Falls has ended up on the cover of Moon and Lonely Planet Oregon guides more than once — it's a genuinely unique, beautiful waterfall. Which makes it a little strange that there aren't that many trip reports out there for it. So here's mine.

The trail itself is easy — it's the getting there that has a couple of quirks. You have to cross the Sandy River at some point, and the road leading in near the trailhead gets rough enough that it's tough for a small car to handle comfortably.