15 Best Waterfalls in Oregon (2026 Updated)
Of the 249 named waterfalls in Oregon, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by South Falls, Latourell Falls, and Salt Creek Falls. The list spans the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills, Columbia River Gorge, and Umpqua and Rogue Country.
How We Picked
We ranked the 127 publicly accessible Oregon waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. South Falls
Sublimity, OR · Marion County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 86 reviews. 97% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Waterfall surrounded by forest, tumbling over an overhanging rocky ledge into a pool." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: The falls have a vertical drop of 177 feet. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. Lower South Falls is only 0.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Sublimity, about 7.5 miles to the southwest.
-
2. Latourell Falls
Troutdale, OR · Multnomah County · Columbia River Gorge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 599 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "This 249-ft-high gorge waterfall in Guy W. Talbot State Park can be accessed via a trail." Older records also call it Latourelle Falls. It is one of 36 named falls in the Columbia River Gorge region. Upper Latourell Falls is only 0.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Troutdale, about 8.2 miles to the west.
-
3. Salt Creek Falls
Oakridge, OR · Lane County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 427 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Powerful single drop waterfall cascading 286 ft. with an observation platform & loop gravel trail." It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. Diamond Creek Falls is only 0.8 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Oakridge, about 19 miles to the northwest.
-
4. Sahalie Falls
Sisters, OR · Linn County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 412 reviews. 93% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Picturesque waterfall along the McKenzie River features a viewing platform, trails & nearby camping." Name history: "Sahalie is a Chinuk Wawa word meaning ""heaven"" or ""high""." Older records also call it Upper Falls. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. Koosah Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Sisters, about 22 miles to the east.
-
5. Horsetail Falls
Cascade Locks, OR · Multnomah County · Columbia River Gorge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 386 reviews. 87% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Forested site with waterfalls offering a short hike suitable for all skill levels & scenic views." It is one of 36 named falls in the Columbia River Gorge region. Lower Oneonta Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Cascade Locks, about 10 miles to the northeast.
-
6. Grotto Falls
Glide, OR · Douglas County · Umpqua and Rogue Country
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 44 reviews. 100% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 49 named falls in the Umpqua and Rogue Country region. Emile Falls is only 0.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Glide, about 15 miles to the west.
-
7. Bridal Veil Falls
Troutdale, OR · Multnomah County · Columbia River Gorge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 230 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 36 named falls in the Columbia River Gorge region. Coopey Falls is only 0.9 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Troutdale, about 10 miles to the west.
-
8. Koosah Falls
Sisters, OR · Linn County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 218 reviews. 93% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Moderate hike to a 70ft-tall waterfall dropping into a deep pool, ringed by ferns & moss." Older records also call it Middle Falls. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. Sahalie Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Sisters, about 23 miles to the east.
-
9. Clearwater Falls
Oakridge, OR · Douglas County · Umpqua and Rogue Country
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 167 reviews. 92% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 49 named falls in the Umpqua and Rogue Country region. The nearest town is Oakridge, about 36 miles to the north.
-
10. Watson Falls
Oakridge, OR · Douglas County · Umpqua and Rogue Country
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 144 reviews. 95% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Short trail through creekside fir forest to a powerful cascade tumbling over a vertical rock face." It is one of 49 named falls in the Umpqua and Rogue Country region. Toketee Falls is only 2.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Oakridge, about 35 miles to the north.
-
11. Whitehorse Falls
Oakridge, OR · Douglas County · Umpqua and Rogue Country
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 131 reviews. 86% of reviewers give it five stars. 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.
-
12. Tamanawas Falls
Odell, OR · Hood River County · Columbia River Gorge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 53 reviews. 92% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Tamanawaus Falls. It is one of 36 named falls in the Columbia River Gorge region. The nearest town is Odell, about 16 miles to the north.
-
13. North Falls
Lyons, OR · Marion County · Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 49 reviews. 94% of reviewers give it five stars. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: The falls has a vertical drop of 136 feet. It is one of 92 named falls in the Central Cascades and Willamette Foothills region. Upper North Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Lyons, about 7.6 miles to the south.
-
14. Wahkeena Falls
Troutdale, OR · Multnomah County · Columbia River Gorge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 47 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Gordon Falls. It is one of 36 named falls in the Columbia River Gorge region. Mist Falls is only 0.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Troutdale, about 13 miles to the west.
-
15. Lemolo Falls
Oakridge, OR · Douglas County · Umpqua and Rogue Country
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 41 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Name history: "Lemolo is a Chinuk Wawa word meaning ""wild, untamed""." It is one of 49 named falls in the Umpqua and Rogue Country region. The nearest town is Oakridge, about 30 miles to the northwest.
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.
Explore More Oregon Waterfalls
See all 249 waterfalls in the Oregon waterfall guide, or browse by town: Sublimity, Troutdale, Oakridge, Sisters, Cascade Locks, Glide, Odell, Lyons.
More Oregon Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Oregon?
South Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 5.0-star rating from 86 Google reviews. It is near Sublimity in Marion County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 127 publicly accessible Oregon waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
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.