11 Waterfall Hikes In Oregon That Will Steal Your Breath Away

Are you vacationing in the US state of Oregon? Do you enjoy the sight of a thundering waterfall? Do you enjoy hiking in the great outdoors?   

If you answered yes to those questions, read on, fellow traveler! A small group of travel writers has selected some great waterfall hikes based on both popularity and overall beauty. Without further ado, here are 11 waterfall hikes in Oregon that will steal your breath away.

11 Waterfall Hikes In Oregon That Will Steal Your Breath Away

1. Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is located in the Columbia River Gorge. It is not only the most popular waterfall but is the state’s highest one as well. It is 620 feet high.  

There are several exceptional hikes you can take in this area. More than one will take you to the waterfall. If you suddenly decide not to really hike, park in the main parking area at the base of the falls and take the short walking trail there. It is approximately 300 feet.

 

If you happen to be visiting Wahkeena Falls, you can take the A-B trail to Multnomah Falls. It’s less than five miles. If you wish to hike to the top of the falls, there is an additional trail that is under two miles long. The difficulty level here ranges between easy and moderate depending on your choices.

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Toketee Falls

Recent research reports that most people slot the hike to Toketee Falls somewhere in the top three. This two-tiered waterfall in Douglas County includes one section that is roughly 30 feet high and another that is 85 feet in height. Again, you have choices here.

The hikes range from easy to moderate in level of difficulty. Remember though, as a rule, the more difficult the trek, the lower the tourist count. There is one easy trail near Idleyld Park that is nearly a mile out and back.  

It offers great views and requires less than half an hour to complete. Many tourists stop right here. However, if you continue for one-tenth of a mile, you will reach the base of the falls. The views are significantly better, and it requires only a little extra effort. 

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Latourell Falls

Latourell Falls is located in Guy W. Talbot State Park west of Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. No matter how you choose to hike to this beautiful natural attraction in Oregon, the hike will be easy. The total height of the falls is 249 feet. 

There is a family-friendly, accessible one-mile round trip walkway to the main Lower Falls. To reach the Upper Falls you will need to complete the full 2.1-mile loop trail hike. The best time to go to see Latourell Falls is generally from March through May when the falls are positively thundering thanks to the spring run-off.

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The Tunnel Falls

The Tunnel Falls in Hood River County and the corresponding hike is both very popular in Oregon. It is thus named because anyone looking to reach it must go through a tunnel beneath the waterfall. Located along Oregon’s famous Eagle Creek Trail, it has a height of 172 feet.

In order to reach it, you must take a hard hike on a 12-mile loop trail from Eagle Creek. If you wish to take an even longer hike, you can pass the Tunnel Falls, circle clockwise and head north to the Wahclella Falls trail, and then follow the road to the Eagle Creek trailhead. You will see more this way but if you choose this option, you definitely want to make sure you take a current trail map.  

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The Lower Oneonta Falls

The falls are roughly 100 feet high. It is the narrowest fall in Oregon. The hike to reach this place in Oneonta Gorge is also one of the most scenic here.  

The hike here will include hiking through a gorge and even through some water. It is otherwise an easy and sometimes crowded hike of under one mile in and out. In fact, you need to plan your trip or you may discover that there is a closure and never reach your destination.  

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Shellburg Falls

You will discover Shellburg Falls in the verdant Santiam State Forest, just south of Portland. Your drive from the city should be less than an hour. Shellburg Falls is 100 feet high. Here the water rushes right over a massive rock cliff.

You can probably reach the base providing there are not too many people there. There is a cave that will actually take you directly beneath the falls reminiscent of the Catskill Mountains’ Kaaterskill Falls. The hike is an easy one that is two and a half miles out and back.

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Watson Falls

Some veteran visitors compare Douglas County’s Watson Falls to Shellburg Falls. Sources don’t all agree, but it is between 272 and 293 feet tall. It is one of the three highest in Oregon and the highest in the Umpqua National Forest.  

The surrounding rock wall is also quite striking. The corresponding trail allows you to hike right to the base. There is no cave though unlike the Shellburg Falls hike. Of course, since the hike is less than one mile in and out and Watson Falls is almost three times as high as Shellburg Falls, who cares, right?

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Tumalo Falls

If you are anywhere near the town of Bend, you simply must check out Tumalo Falls. It is located just west of the quaint town in the lush Deschutes National Forest. Tumalo Falls is approximately 100 feet high.

It is arguably the only large waterfall on this specific list that is actually “out in the open” and is part of the local scenery. The other waterfalls featured here in this article are actually a bit deeper in the forest. Some may say Tumalo Falls is a bit similar to a couple of other more popular waterfalls.  

One is located in the Canadian Rockies, and the other is found in well-known Yellowstone National Park. The hike to Tumalo Falls is less than seven miles in and out and it is rated as “hard.”

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White River Falls

Head to White River Falls State Park in north central Oregon. This is the shortest and easiest waterfall hike on this list. The hike is only about one-quarter of a mile. Mind you, once you get there you may agree with many travel writers who consider this the most beautiful waterfall in the state.  

This two-tiered waterfall is a good 90 feet high and divides into different areas. If you need more exercise, the surrounding state park also includes a number of different trails you can explore. While the park is open all year, the best time to visit is in spring. The waterfall’s flow generally slows to a comparative trickle in the fall and in the winter the flush toilets and, more importantly, the park’s main parking lot are closed.

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Abiqua Falls

Abiqua Falls is located south of Portland and near the town known as Scott Mills. Some visitors to Oregon say that Abiqua Falls looks a lot like the previously mentioned Toketee Falls. There are, however, some significant differences between the falls and the surrounding areas.  

The two hikes are also different. Oddly, while Abiqua Falls is high on the list in terms of natural beauty, the trail to it, while only moderately difficult, is reportedly one of the least hiked in Oregon. This also means that you will have some privacy while hiking to this 92-foot-tall natural attraction.  

After parking your vehicle on a dirt road, you will hike for less than one mile. Nevertheless, this short jaunt is slippery and strenuous. The best time to visit is from March to October. 

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Lemolo Falls

With a height of 165 feet, Lemolo Falls are located just outside the town of Chemult. The hiking trail to the falls is two and a half miles out and back. It is a moderately difficult hike with an elevation gain of 600 feet and thus is not very popular with tourists. If you’re not feeling energetic, you can take the short trail on the north side of the North Umpqua River which leads to a memorable lookout spot.

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The Trail Of Ten Falls

The Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park is perhaps one of the best examples of waterfall hiking trails anywhere in the state of Oregon. This trail includes 10 waterfalls. Most of them are over 100 feet high.

The trail is easy to navigate although lengthy It is nine miles out and back with additional distance added to and from each individual waterfall. It is rated moderately difficult mainly because of the total distance involved. (If you’re feeling athletic there is a longer loop trail hike, but you don’t get to see all the falls.) Some of the waterfalls here even include caves. Some are accessible from base to top too.  In general, the best time to visit most waterfalls is in the spring or early summer during the run-off.