Some of the most epic waterfalls in the state of Oregon happen to be just outside of Portland. We’ve rounded up a list of the best waterfalls near Portland, to help you plan and cross these scenic falls off your bucket list.
It’s no secret we’re big fans of waterfalls. Who doesn’t love a postcard-perfect cascade??
Did you also know that some of the most incredible Oregon waterfalls happen to be within 1.5 hours driving distance from Portland?
Being that Oregon is our home state, we’ve explored a lot of waterfalls. In this article we rounded up the best waterfalls near Portland from our personal experience. Plus we’ve included a few that are still on our bucket list!
All of the waterfalls in this list can easily be visited on a day trip from Portland.
Whether you’re on an Oregon road trip, spending a few days in Portland, or exploring more of the Pacific Northwest, any of these falls will make great stops on your itinerary.
Columbia River Gorge waterfalls
The designated National Scenic Area that makes up the Columbia River Gorge is the largest in America. At up to 4,000 feet deep in certain areas, the canyon stretches over 80 miles as the river winds its way westward from the coast.
Known for its high concentration of waterfalls—the Gorge has over 90 on the Oregon side alone!—it’s one of the best places to see waterfalls near Portland.
Note: To enter the Gorge, you’ll need to purchase a Northwest Forest Pass for $5 for a daily entry, or you can gain access to the national scenic area using your America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass.
1. Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Oregon and is a very popular destination for locals and those exploring the Columbia River Gorge. Each year, over 2 million people come to take in its beauty!
The majestic fall plunges a jaw-dropping 620 feet in two tiers. You can see it right from the parking lot, but a short paved path leads to the iconic Benson Bridge, which offers a closer view.
For those up for a challenge, a switchback-heavy trail continues to the top of the falls. It’s one of the most-visited attractions in Oregon, so arrive early or visit on a weekday to avoid crowds.
Our experience: We visited during a busy time of year, and there was a stop along the highway where you could park and take a shuttle for a $5 round trip. We passed this up, crossing our fingers that there would be a spot closer to the falls, and we got lucky!
Important: From July – September, timed reservation tickets are now required to visit Multnomah Falls between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Visit Recreation.gov to reserve your tickets.
Multnomah Falls Quick Info
- Location: Columbia River Gorge, ~30 min from Portland
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass
- Google Maps Location
How to get there: The main trail to get to the falls is on the 2.4-mile moderate trail, but if you’re looking for a challenge, there is a 10-mile loop trail that features five other waterfalls nestled in old growth forests.
→ Read our Multnomah Falls Guide on our sister site, Go Wander Wild.
2. Bridal Veil Falls
Another one of the most popular falls in the Columbia River Gorge, Bridal Veil Falls is situated on the site of an old lumber mill and features a 100-foot waterfall cascading down granite rock slabs.
A short, well-maintained trail leads through a lush forest to a wooden viewing platform at the base of the falls. There’s also a separate viewpoint overlooking the Columbia River. Parking is available right off the Historic Highway, and the trail is family-friendly with minimal elevation gain.
This popular waterfall fills up fast on weekends so we’d advise visiting on a weekday if possible and combining it with a trip to some of the other nearby falls listed below.
Bridal Veil Falls Quick Info
- Location: Columbia River Gorge, ~30 min from Portland
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass
- Google Maps Location
How to get there: Take exit 28 off I-84 and head west for ¾ mile until you reach Bridal Veil Falls State Park. From there, there are two trail options. A short but steep 0.6-mile trail to the base of the falls or a 0.4-mile loop that leads to views of the falls, the Columbia River, and other natural features.
3. Horsetail and Ponytail Falls
Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls are two popular waterfalls near Portland for their accessibility and beauty.
Horsetail Falls is a stunning 176-foot cascade you can see right from the roadside, making it a great quick stop. It’s also a popular place for visitors to cool off and swim in the pool beneath the falls.
If you want more adventure, take the short but steep hike to Ponytail Falls, where you can walk behind the rushing water in a rocky alcove. The trail continues to connect with other Gorge hikes, including Oneonta Gorge.
Horsetail and Ponytail Falls Quick Info
- Location: Columbia River Gorge, ~40 min from Portland
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Follow the Historic Columbia River Highway and find the trailhead parking on the left, just past Oneonta Gorge. This moderate trail takes you to Horsetail and Ponytail Falls in under a mile!
4. Latourell Falls
One of the most unique waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, Latourell Falls drops 224 feet in a dramatic single plunge over striking basalt cliffs covered in neon-green lichen. This one of the closest waterfalls near Portland and it can be spotted from the road.
You can take a short walk to the base of the falls or hike a longer loop to see the upper falls. The parking lot is right off the highway, making this an easy and rewarding stop.
Our experience: This is the one place in the whole gorge where we had a sense of solitude and didn’t find any crowds.
Latourell Falls Quick Info
- Location: Columbia River Gorge, ~35 min from Portland
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Take I-84 to the Historic Highway and then head west nearly 3-miles to the trailhead. Hike the short, easy route to the lower falls or take on a moderate 2.1-mile loop to see the two-tiered upper falls.
5. Lower Oneonta Falls
Lower Oneonta Falls is one of the most epic waterfall hikes in Oregon. Hike through waist- to chest-deep water in the Oneonta Gorge and scramble over a log jam before emerging in a moss-covered slot canyon with a stunning 100-foot cascade.
This is a summer-only adventure due to high water levels in colder months. Though the trail is only about 1-mile round trip, it takes a bit of time, as you’ll be walking IN the river bed!
Tip: Make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes, like Chacos!
Important Note: Due to past fire damage, the Oneonta Gorge trail is no longer an official trail and is not actively maintained. See more information from the Washington Trail Association.
We hiked this trail back in 2017 when it was still actively maintained and quite the popular trail. It was our favorite experience in all the Colombia River Gorge so we wanted to include it on this list. However, we advise to exercise caution and follow the recommendations of the National Forest Service.
Oneonta Falls Quick Info
- Location: Columbia River Gorge, ~40 min from Portland
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Follow I-84, the Columbia River Highway, and just past Multnomah Falls is the trailhead for the moderately challenging, 5.6-mile Oneonta Gorge Trail.
6. Wahclella Falls
An easy, fun interactive trail leads to Wahclella Falls, considered by many to be one of the most impressive Columbia River Gorge waterfalls.
This trail is well-maintained and suitable for most hikers, but expect some rocky sections. You’ll go through a slot canyon, pass enormous boulders, cross bridges, and see a small dam and several smaller cascades on the trail.
The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire was especially devastating in this area, so there’s an increased risk of landslides and flash flooding. Avoid hiking when there’s rain and for 1-2 days after big storms.
Wahclella Falls Quick Info
- Location: Columbia River Gorge, ~40 min from Portland
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass
- Trailhead Location
How to Get There: Wahclella Falls is a 40-minute drive from Portland via I-84. From the parking lot, there’s a short 1-mile hike to get to the base of the falls.
→ Read our Wahclella Falls Guide on our sister site, Go Wander Wild.
7. Falls Creek Falls
Although technically in Washington, Falls Creek Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls within a short drive from Portland. This three-tiered beauty plunges a total of 335 feet into a lush amphitheater of moss-covered cliffs.
The hike to the falls is relatively easy, following a well-maintained forest trail with gradual elevation gain. You’ll hike through old-growth forests full of Douglas-fir, hemlock, sugar pines, and other trees that are over 6-feet in diameter.
The final viewpoint offers a breathtaking close-up of the falls, especially in spring when the water flow is strongest. It also makes a perfect place to swim and cool down on those hot summer days.
This one has been on our radar for a while now, we just have to make a plan as we’ll be hiking with both kiddos!
Falls Creek Falls Quick Info
- Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA (~1 hr 15 min from Portland)
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Just north of the Columbia River Gorge in Washington state is the trailhead for Falls Creek Falls (Washington). A 6-mile loop trail takes you to the base of the falls.
8. Trail of Ten Falls
Not one single waterfall, but 10!
The Trail of Ten Fall is widely considered one of the best hikes in Oregon and brings you past—you guessed it—10 waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park. This is a great way to see a TON of the best waterfalls near Portland in one go.
To see all ten falls, take the 7.4-mile loop trail in either direction. There is not much elevation gain (just about 800 ft), so this trail is perfect for families and pups.
Trail of Ten Falls Quick Info
- Location: Silver Falls State Park (~1 hr 15 min from Portland)
- Permits: $5 day use pass
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Because the Trail of Ten Falls is a loop, it has a handful of access points and you can hike it in either direction. The most popular starting point is the South Falls Trailhead, where there’s a large parking lot and the namesake lodge.
→ Read our Trail of Ten Falls Trail Guide on our sister site, Go Wander Wild!
9. South Falls
If you don’t have time, or just don’t feel like hiking the entire Trail of Ten Falls, you should at least check out the most iconic waterfall in Silver Falls State Park.
Dropping an impressive 177 feet off a basalt shelf, this is not only the tallest waterfall in the park, but also the most popular.
The best part? You can walk behind the falls via a natural cave-like path carved into the rock to see what the curtain of water looks like from another perspective.
This short loop is one of the most scenic and accessible hikes in the park, making it perfect for all ages. The trailhead is near the park’s main entrance, where you’ll find restrooms, picnic areas, and a cafe.
South Falls Quick Info
- Location: Silver Falls State Park (~1 hr 15 min from Portland)
- Permits: $5 day use pass
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Venture just a short ways from the South Day Use Area parking lot to see the impressive South Falls. If you follow the trail down into the cave behind the falls and head back to the parking lot, it’ll be about a mile in total.
Or you can continue on to the Lower South Falls and hike the 2.6-mile Maple Ridge Loop.
→ Read Next: Check out our guide to Silver Falls State Park on our sister site, Go Wander Wild.
10. Abiqua Falls
Abiqua Falls is surrounded by charcoal basalt columns formed from lava flows from millions of years ago that formed an incredible amphitheater surrounding the falls. It makes a great bonus waterfall to check out if you are in the area of Silver Falls State Park.
The trail is rugged, requiring a rough drive on a high-clearance vehicle road followed by a steep descent with ropes to help in some sections.
This one’s been high on our bucket list to visit. However, every time we are in the area, we’ve always been in our campervan and not sure we wanted to brave the rough terrain to get to the trailhead.
Note: You’ll want to avoid this moderate trail in early spring as the river can flood the trail and make it impassable.
Abiqua Falls Quick Info
- Location: Near Silverton, OR (~1 hr 30 min from Portland)
- Permits: None required, free access and parking
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Just east of Silver Falls State Park, it’s a bit more complicated to get there because there are no direct routes. From OR-213, head southeast on Mt Angel Scotts Mills Rd NE. Once you reach the small town of Scott Mills, you’ll turn south onto Crooked Finger Road NE and turn right at the trailhead parking. The challenging 0.7-mile out and back trail will get you down to the base of the falls.
11. Ramona Falls
Located on the west side of Mount Hood on the Upper Sandy River, Romona Falls is an impressive 120-foot (37 meters) tall wall of cascades.
The moderate trail to reach the falls serves as a junction for the Pacific Crest Trail and the Timberline Trail, so it is extremely popular with both day hikers and thru-hikers. Meander through forests and cross the Sandy River (which can be tricky, especially in spring when water levels are high).
Summer and early fall are the best times to visit for easier river crossings, but late spring is what the falls have the most water flow.
Ramona Falls Quick Info
- Location: Mount Hood National Forest (~1 hr 30 min from Portland)
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Follow Highway 26 east towards Sandy and into Zig Zag. Take FR-18 to reach the trailhead. It’s a 7-mile loop trail that’ll take you to the falls and back.
→ Related Reading: If chasing waterfalls isn’t the only adventure you’re interested in, check out our roundup of the best day trips from Portland.
12. Tamanawas Falls
Dropping from over 100-feet high, this impressive waterfall forms a broad curtain where the Cold Spring Creek tumbles over a lava shelf near the eastern base of Mount Hood.
While Tamanawas Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls near Portland to reach on foot, the 3.4-mile hike packs a huge punch at the end.
The best part…you can walk behind it! Just climb the talus to the right of the falls to reach the grotto behind the curtain of water.
This waterfall hike is best enjoyed in the summer or fall, when pops of color from wildflowers or changing leaves add visual interest. However, it also freezes solid in the winter, so it’s a great cold-weather day hike if you have snowshoes or crampons.
Tamanawas Falls Quick Info
- Location: Mt. Hood National Forest (~1 hr 45 min from Portland)
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: To get to the falls, hike the moderate 3.4-mile trail in the Mount Hood National Forest. You’ll hike across the Hood River and through Douglas Fir filled forests to see this beautiful waterfall.
→ Related Reading: Get some more ideas for fun things to do in Hood River!
13. Drift Creek Falls
Drift Creek Falls has been on our bucket list for a long time now. We had planned to go during our last trip to the Oregon Coast, but it had just rained and was very muddy in the area so we skipped out.
However, if you can swing a trip, this waterfall is not to be missed!
A dramatic suspension bridge drapes across the view of the 75-foot waterfall giving visitors a stunning aerial view.
The trail to Drift Creek Falls winds through a mossy coastal forest and is accessible year-round, though spring and fall are particularly gorgeous with pops of color all around. Keep in mind the elevation goes down on your way in, so be sure to save some energy for the hike out.
Drift Creek Falls Quick Info
- Location: Near Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast (~2 hr from Portland)
- Permits: $5 day use pass, or free with your Annual Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass (must purchase your pass online ahead of time – no pass sales onsite!)
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Follow OR-18 southwest out of Portland and head down towards the coast. Just before you reach Lincoln City, you’ll turn off to the left and follow the road to the trailhead. The moderate 3.1 mile trail will bring you across the suspension bridge for views of the falls.
14. Youngs River Falls
Situated just 20 minutes outside of Astoria on the Oregon Coast, Youngs Creek Falls is a great place to replenish your nature-loving heart.
A short hike down will lead you to a serene setting – ferns, moss-covered trees, a rocky beach, and a small but mighty falls.
I imagine it may get busy during hot summer days, but when we were there in the spring we only saw one other couple walking their dog, so it was a very peaceful escape from town.
Youngs River Falls Quick Info
- Location: Near Astoria on the Oregon Coast (~2 hr from Portland)
- Permits: None required, free access and parking
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Follow US-26 W northwest from Portland. Then cut over on OR-103 to Hwy 202. Just before you reach Olney, you’ll take a left on Olney Cutoff Road, which will take you straight to the trailhead. Follow the short and easy 0.3-mile trail to reach the falls.
→ Related Reading: Check out our guide to all the best things to do in Astoria to help plan your trip!
15. Koosah & Sahalie Falls
These two popular waterfalls are part of the stunning McKenzie River Scenic Corridor in Willamette National Forest. Sahalie Falls thunders 100 feet over a mossy basalt ledge, while Koosah Falls tumbles 70 feet into a deep turquoise pool among scenic views.
The loop trail connects both falls and offers multiple viewpoints. The best time to visit is spring when the snowmelt swells the river, but fall brings stunning autumn foliage.
Koosah and Sahalie Falls Quick Info
- Location: McKenzie River, OR (~2 hr 30 min from Portland)
- Permits: None required, free access and parking
- Trailhead Location
How to get there: Find the trailhead for this waterfall in the “Clear Lake Cutoff” of Highway 126. Park in this lot next to Sahalie Falls and hike south to check out Koosah. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the 3-mile loop trail for a more rewarding hike.
→ Read our Sahalie and Koosah Falls Trail Guide on our sister site, Go Wander Wild.
Plan your trip to Oregon
Being that Oregon is our home state, we have TONS of content to help you plan your trip. Start with our Oregon Homepage and be sure to check out the articles below. Leave us a comment if you have any more questions!
- Check out all the weirdly awesome things to do in Portland.
- If you have some time to explore, here are the best day trips from Portland.
- You’ll want to keep this Oregon road trip itinerary close by.
- Read up on all the fun things to do in Bend, Oregon (our hometown!)
- If you’re headed west, here are all the cutest Oregon Coast towns.
- Plan your Oregon coast road trip with our insider tips & map.
- For a taste of #vanlife, choose from the best campervan rentals in Portland.
- This article will help you visit the 7 wonders of Oregon.
- If you need more ideas, here are some incredible places to visit in Oregon.
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We want to hear from you!
Have you visited any of the waterfalls near Portland, Oregon on this list? What was your experience like? Which is the waterfall you’re most excited to add to your bucket list? Comment below and let us know!