10 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in Oregon (2026 Updated)
These 10 Oregon waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Latourell Falls, Salt Creek Falls, and Sahalie Falls. The list spans the Columbia River Gorge, Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills, and Umpqua and Rogue Country.
How We Picked
We started with the 24 publicly accessible Oregon waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Latourell Falls
Troutdale, OR · Multnomah County · Columbia River Gorge
Why hike it
On the trail: "This 249-ft-high gorge waterfall in Guy W. Talbot State Park can be accessed via a trail." It is rated 4.9 stars by 599 Google reviewers. 4 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Upper Latourell Falls and Bridal Veil Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Crown Point, a summit 1.3 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 36 named falls in the Columbia River Gorge region. The nearest town is Troutdale, about 8.2 miles to the west.
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2. Salt Creek Falls
Oakridge, OR · Lane County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why hike it
On the trail: "Powerful single drop waterfall cascading 286 ft. with an observation platform & loop gravel trail." It is rated 4.9 stars by 427 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Diamond Creek Falls and Fall Creek Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. The nearest town is Oakridge, about 19 miles to the northwest.
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3. Sahalie Falls
Sisters, OR · Linn County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why hike it
On the trail: "Picturesque waterfall along the McKenzie River features a viewing platform, trails & nearby camping." It is rated 4.9 stars by 412 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Koosah Falls and Tamolitch Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. The nearest town is Sisters, about 22 miles to the east.
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4. Horsetail Falls
Cascade Locks, OR · Multnomah County · Columbia River Gorge
Why hike it
On the trail: "Forested site with waterfalls offering a short hike suitable for all skill levels & scenic views." It is rated 4.9 stars by 386 Google reviewers. 10 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Lower Oneonta Falls and Oneonta Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 36 named falls in the Columbia River Gorge region. The nearest town is Cascade Locks, about 10 miles to the northeast.
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5. Koosah Falls
Sisters, OR · Linn County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why hike it
On the trail: "Moderate hike to a 70ft-tall waterfall dropping into a deep pool, ringed by ferns & moss." It is rated 4.9 stars by 218 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Sahalie Falls and Tamolitch Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. The nearest town is Sisters, about 23 miles to the east.
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6. Watson Falls
Oakridge, OR · Douglas County · Umpqua and Rogue Country
Why hike it
On the trail: "Short trail through creekside fir forest to a powerful cascade tumbling over a vertical rock face." It is rated 4.9 stars by 144 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Toketee Falls and Whitehorse Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 49 named falls in the Umpqua and Rogue Country region. The nearest town is Oakridge, about 35 miles to the north.
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7. Tumalo Falls
Deschutes River Woods, OR · Deschutes County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why hike it
On the trail: "97-foot waterfall within the Deschutes National Forest surrounded by hiking & mountain biking trails." It is rated 4.8 stars by 467 Google reviewers. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. The nearest town is Deschutes River Woods, about 11 miles to the east.
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8. Wahclella Falls
Cascade Locks, OR · Multnomah County · Columbia River Gorge
Why hike it
On the trail: "This tiered waterfall along Tanner Creek features 2 drops, a trailhead & plunge pool." It is rated 4.8 stars by 195 Google reviewers. 9 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Tanner Creek Falls and Wahe Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Munra Point, a summit 0.6 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 36 named falls in the Columbia River Gorge region. The nearest town is Cascade Locks, about 4.6 miles to the northeast.
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9. Alsea Falls
Junction City, OR · Benton County · Coast Range
Why hike it
Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "easy access waterfall" and "easy hike" and "steep parts". It is rated 4.8 stars by 159 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Green Peak Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 47 named falls in the Coast Range region. The nearest town is Junction City, about 16 miles to the southeast.
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10. Proxy Falls
Sisters, OR · Lane County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why hike it
On the trail: "A pair of cascades in a glacial valley, reached via a loop trail through lava fields & forest." It is rated 4.8 stars by 115 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Linton Falls and Rainbow Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Deer Butte, a summit 1.3 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. The nearest town is Sisters, about 21 miles to the northeast.
When to Visit Oregon's Waterfalls
Oregon's waterfall seasons vary by region. West of the Cascades, rain-fed falls in the Gorge and Coast Range run highest from November through May, with spring offering the best mix of full flow, green moss and longer daylight. Winter visits can be spectacular, but east winds through the Gorge sometimes bring ice storms that coat trails and roads. In the High Cascades, falls on snowmelt-fed rivers such as the McKenzie and North Umpqua peak in late spring and early summer, though roads and trails at higher elevations may remain snowbound into June. Summer is dry, and smaller coastal falls shrink, but snow-fed and spring-fed falls keep running. Fall brings the return of rain in October or November and vine maple color. Wildfire smoke can affect visibility in late summer.
Before You Go
Oregon's falls are mostly on public land: the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, national forests such as the Mount Hood, Willamette, Umpqua and Deschutes, and state parks including Silver Falls. Many national forest trailheads require a recreation pass such as the Northwest Forest Pass, and several state parks charge day-use parking fees. In recent years, the busiest stretch of the Historic Columbia River Highway has used a seasonal timed-use permit system, so check current requirements before driving there in summer. Parking at Multnomah Falls and other Gorge sites fills early on weekends. Hazards include slick mossy basalt, cliff edges, cold and powerful water, falling rock, winter ice, and wildfire-related trail closures. Stay behind railings and on maintained trails.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More Oregon Waterfalls
See all 249 waterfalls in the Oregon waterfall guide, or browse by town: Troutdale, Oakridge, Sisters, Cascade Locks, Deschutes River Woods, Junction City.
More Oregon Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in Oregon?
Latourell Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 599 Google reviews. It is near Troutdale in Multnomah County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 24 publicly accessible Oregon waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in Oregon?
Our directory lists 249 named waterfalls in Oregon. See them all, sorted by town, in the Oregon waterfall guide.
Why does Oregon have so many waterfalls?
Thick layers of hard basalt from ancient lava flows create cliffs that streams pour over, and heavy Pacific rainfall plus Cascade snowmelt keep those streams running. The Missoula Floods also carved the Columbia River Gorge, leaving many tributaries dropping over its walls.