Top 10 Waterfall Hikes in Oregon
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Summer is here, bringing with it the promise of endless days spent in some of Oregon's most beautiful waterfall hikes. Anyone who has visited Oregon knows that it is home to some of the world's most beautiful waterfalls. Waterfall hikes are one of our favorite ways to welcome summer back!
So, what are our top waterfall hikes in Oregon? We've got ten for you..
1. Multnomah Falls
Mileage: 5 miles w/ 1,265 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Moderate Multnomah Falls, the second largest waterfall in the United States, is a must-see for everyone. Multnomah Falls is one of Oregon's most treasured landmarks, so it's no surprise that it's the state's most visited attraction.
Multnomah Falls, located in the Columbia River Gorge, is a few minutes' walk from the parking lot and has a few designated viewpoints for visitors. You can see it from the lower falls viewpoint, the Benson Bridge, or a platform at the top overlooking the falls.
2. Lemolo Falls
Mileage: 2.5 miles w/ 600 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Moderate Lemolo Falls is accessible via two trails on either side of the North Umpqua River. The north side of the river trail is a short section of the North Umpqua River Trail that leads to a lookout point from which you can see the falls from above. The trail described in this article is on the river's south bank and leads to the base of this incredible 165-foot Southern Oregon waterfall.
3. Silver Falls
Mileage: 8.6 miles w/ 1,480 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Moderate This 8.6 mile loop is absolutely stunning and a relatively easy hike, as the trail is mostly flat with the exception of a few stairs. The hike includes 10 waterfalls that can reach 200 feet in height! If you don't like long hikes, you can cut the loop down to 2.6 miles, which only eliminates two waterfalls. Because of the mist from the waterfalls, this hike can become icy if the temperature drops below freezing, but it rarely snows in this area. Icicles can grow to be four feet tall here!!! This well-known State Park is located only 25 miles east of Salem.
4. Latourell Falls
Mileage: 2.4 miles w/ 585 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Easy
This short loop hike provides close-up views of two spectacular waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge, just a few miles outside of Portland. The trail is well-kept and was not severely damaged in the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Aside from the 249 ft. and 120 ft. main attractions, this hike also includes a very old split cedar tree that you can walk through! This easy hike is suitable for the entire family at any time of year.
5. Abiqua Falls
Mileage: .8 miles w/ 180 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Moderate Abiqua Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Scotts Mills, Oregon. Abiqua Falls, like Toketee Falls, is known for its craggy basalt cliffs. Water cascades dramatically into a pool below. Tall evergreen trees. Abiqua Falls, located deep in a forest in western Oregon, provides the quintessential Pacific Northwest scenery, complete with moody vibes and rugged beauty. Finding this breathtaking waterfall, on the other hand, is not easy—but I promise the effort to reach its base is well worth it!
6. Tumalo Falls
Mileage: 8.2 miles w/ 2,635 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Moderate This is one of Central Oregon's most iconic waterfalls, and for good reason. It's only 30 minutes from Bend. This hike can be done as a short loop (to the viewing platform and back) or as an 8 mile loop up to Happy Valley. Even if you aren't up for an 8-mile hike, it is worthwhile to walk upstream a little because the 98-foot Tumalo Falls isn't the only waterfall to see here. There are many unnamed falls upstream that are just as beautiful as the main attraction.
7. Sweet Creek Falls
Mileage: 2.1 miles w/ 705 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Easy This little waterfall hike is very sweet, just like the name suggests. The hike is easy and short and perfect for the whole family. The trail travels upstream along the creek and is very well maintained with stairs and boardwalks in areas that would flood the trail during high waters. There is never a dull season to hike this trail and each season offers something unique to the hike. During the fall you will witness splendid fall colors and during the spring time the river is flowing strong and the waterfall will be roaring!
8. Proxy Falls
Mileage: 1.5 miles w/ 475 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Easy As the name implies, this short waterfall hike is very enjoyable. The hike is simple and short, making it ideal for the entire family. The trail travels upstream along the creek and is very well maintained with stairs and boardwalks in areas that would flood the trail during high waters. There is never a bad time to hike this trail, and each season brings something new to the experience. During the fall, the fall colors are spectacular, and during the spring, the river is raging and the waterfall is roaring!
9. Moon Falls
Mileage: 1.2 miles w/ 185 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Easy Moon Falls is a beautiful hidden gem in the Umpqua National Forest. This hike is suitable for people of all fitness and hiking abilities, and it takes you through a beautiful second-growth forest. Because the majority of the trail has a southern exposure, it is usually very warm when it is sunny, and there is a lot of beautiful undergrowth. Moon Falls is 100 feet tall and cascades elegantly down to a shelf where you can stand when the falls aren't flowing very heavily and get a sense of how big this waterfall is.
10. Toketee Falls
Mileage: .8 miles w/ 120 ft. elevation gain Terrain difficulty: Easy
Toketee Falls is a hidden gem in the Umpqua National Forest. It is best known for its signature basalt columns that surround the waterfall in all directions.
Toketee Falls can be admired from a distant viewing platform, or the more daring can descend a steep cliff for a closer look. If you plan to climb, bring sturdy shoes because it can get quite slippery, but ropes are attached in some places to help with the climb.
We hope this list provides you with some inspiration and encourages you to go find those waterfalls. Are certain that you will not be disappointed!
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