Oregon is known for its lush forests and majestic mountains and once you put the two together you’re guaranteed to have some incredible waterfalls. There are 100s of waterfalls across Oregon with some being so remote that few have ever seen them while others get millions of visitors a year!
If you’re looking for the ultimate waterfall trip then head to Oregon this year and take in these incredible waterfalls that are straight out of a fairytale.
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is by far the most famous and most visited of all the Oregon waterfalls. The falls receive over 2 million visitors per year who gaze at and photograph this two stage waterfall that cascades down over 600 feet. This area has become so popular that summertime visitors are now required to obtain a time entry permit to visit the falls.
Toketee Falls
Located in Central Oregon, Toketee Falls is located down a short, half mile trail and upon arriving at the falls it looks like it is pouring straight out of the side of the basalt cliffs. The falls is actually two stages with the first 40-feet high and the second making the 80-foot drop into the pool below.
Proxy Falls
Proxy Falls is actually two separate waterfalls: Upper Proxy and Lower Proxy Falls. Upper Proxy Falls gently cascades down the hillside into a disappearing pool and makes for a serene area to enjoy a quiet lunch. Lower Proxy Falls, on the other hand, is a rip-roaring waterfall that will soak you to the core if you get too close. Both are located along the McKenzie Pass highway, which is always a treat to drive.
South Falls
Located within the magical Silver Falls State Park, South Falls is one of a few waterfalls where the trail takes you directly behind the waterfall. During the fall months, the vines and big leaf maples that fill the hillsides surrounding the falls turn a brilliant yellow and orange color that turns this spot into a dreamland.
Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls is one of the most photogenic Oregon waterfalls for its graceful 224-foot plunge from the basalt cliffs above. A short loop hike will take you to the base of the falls, where you can admire the basalt amphitheater that frames this iconic waterfall.
Salt Creek Falls
Salt Creek is Oregon’s second-highest waterfall, at 286 feet. It is considered a cascade and drop, where the upper part of the falls cascades over the rock, followed by a long, uninterrupted drop to the pool below. This feature makes the falls incredibly photogenic from both the upper and lower viewpoints along the Salt Creek Falls trail.
Ramona Falls
Ramona Falls, located on the flanks of Oregon’s tallest mountain, Mt. Hood, creates a fairytale-like setting as the falls spread out and cascade down the rocks. Photographers love these falls because the right light creates rainbows and streaks of light across the front of the falls. Long exposure shots also turn the falls into a veil of whitewater that only adds to the magic.
Punchbowl Falls
Located along the popular Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, Punchbowl Falls is both a photographer’s and thrill seeker’s paradise. The falls are only 35 feet high, but when you combine the impressive amount of water pouring over the cliff with the beautiful pool below, you get a perfect waterfall combination. Daring kayakers have been taking the plunge off this waterfall for years, as the pool makes for a perfect landing zone.
Tunnel Falls
Tunnel Falls is the most difficult waterfall to access, as the trail is over 12 miles round trip. The payoff is worth it, though, as you’ll pass numerous other waterfalls, including Punchbowl Falls and Twister Falls, on the way to this waterfall, which has a hidden tunnel behind it.
Tamanawas Falls
Located on the Eastern side of Mt. Hood, Tamanawas Falls requires a bit of a hike, but once you’re there, it is worth the effort. This waterfall has a natural cavern behind it that, with a bit of scrambling, you can stand in and listen to the river roar directly overhead and over the cliffs.
Sahalie Falls
Sahalie Falls is one of the most picturesque falls in Oregon and is just a short walk from the parking lot. The cliffs surrounding the falls are covered in mosses and ferns, which gives the area a fairytale-like appearance.
Tumalo Falls
Tumalo Falls, located just 30 minutes outside of Bend, Oregon, is an absolute gem any time of the year. In the summer, it takes on a lush tone, while in the winter, the cliffs surrounding the falls become encased in ice, completely transforming the area. There is an easy trail to the top of this nearly 100-foot-tall waterfall for a unique perspective of looking directly down the falls.