10 Best Waterfalls Near Portland

Multnomah Falls is rightfully considered the epicenter of waterfalls in Oregon. At 620 feet (189 meters), it’s the tallest in the state, and its dramatic plunge is visible from Interstate 84. Great photo opportunities start as soon as you arrive at the lodge, which has a gift shop, bathrooms, and a restaurant. A bridge that crosses in front of the falls is visible from the initial viewing area, and takes only a few minutes to reach. The trail continues to a small viewing area at the top.

The 2.6-mile (4-km) out-and-back trail is considered moderately challenging because of its steep incline. Multnomah Falls gets extremely crowded, and timed use permits are required from late May through early September.

Latourell Falls is a 224-foot (68-meter), single-plunge waterfall located on a 2-mile (3.2-km) loop that starts in Guy W. Talbot State Park. The hike is considered moderately challenging; the falls are audible from the parking lot and visible very soon on the trail. The plunge is bordered by green lichen on black basalt walls. Once you reach the base of the falls, you can cross a historic bridge and stand near the water and feel its spray.

The trail passes into a second state park, the George W. Joseph Natural Area, where you’ll encounter Upper Latourell Falls, a 2-tiered drop that finishes with a plunge into a pool. The trail contains some rocky areas and passes through dense foliage.

Bridal Veil Falls is a 2-tiered waterfall named for its resemblance to the wedding-dress accessory. The state scenic viewpoint has 2 short trails that offer different viewpoints of the falls. A shorter 0.3-mile (0.5-km) trail crosses Bridal Veil Creek and descends to a viewing platform at the base of the falls, which measures 120 feet (37 meters) tall. The trail is steep and has many switchbacks.

The half-mile (0.8-km) Overlook Trail offers spectacular views of the Columbia River, several mountains, and a rock formation known as the Pillars of Hercules. No passes or use permits are required here.

Wahkeena Falls is a 242-foot (74-meter), multitiered waterfall located just west of Multnomah Falls on a 5-mile (8-km) loop that’s considered moderately challenging. If you’re ambitious, you can connect to other trails here, including one that leads to Multnomah Falls. The trail to Wahkeena Falls, good for birding, hiking, and rock-climbing, passes several other, smaller falls.

You’ll cross Wahkeena Creek at the start of the trail and eventually reach a series of switchbacks and a stone bridge to a viewing area. Later, a steep, half-mile (0.8-km) section of trail leads to another spot that includes views of the falls and several mountains in the Columbia Gorge. It’s known to get crowded in warm-weather months, but there is no fee.

Punch Bowl Falls is located at the end of a 1.9-mile (3-km) trail along Eagle Creek. It’s a 33-foot (10-meter) plunge into a pool that many people use for swimming. A 12-foot (3.7-meter) plunge called Lower Punch Bowl Falls makes a second pool nearby. Despite this cozy conclusion, the hike to and from the falls can be treacherous. The trail was blasted from sheer cliffs. It gets narrow, reaching 600-foot (183-meter) elevations with steep drop-offs, so it’s not recommended for young ones or dogs.

Although sections of the 4.2-mile (6.8-km) trail goes through forested areas damaged by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, some reviewers have described its scenery as comparable to that in the “Lord of the Rings” films.

South Falls is the most accessible, and the most dramatic, waterfall on a 7.2-mile (11.6-km) loop called the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park. South Falls is the tallest, at 177 feet (54 meters). Water drops from a ledge and forms a curtain. The 1.1-mile (1.8-km) loop that descends 200 feet (61 meters) to the falls passes behind that curtain and offers phenomenal views of South Falls from multiple angles. The longer trail contains large rocks and tree roots, so bring good hiking shoes.

Silver Falls State Park also offers a campground, camping cabins, restrooms, several food vendors, a swimming area, and a gift shop.

Tamanawas Falls is a popular destination year-round on the east slope of Mount Hood, one of several perpetually snow-covered mountains in Oregon and Washington. The waterfall, which is 40 feet (12 meters) wide and stands 100 feet (30 meters) tall, is at the end of a 3.4-mile (5.5-km) roundtrip trail along Cold Spring Creek. See cedars, Douglas fir, and Engelmann spruce trees along the way, and sit among boulders at the foot of the falls.

You can visit the falls any time of year with the proper equipment. Bring good shoes for summer hikes, and in the winter, consider snowshoes as the challenging trail is unmaintained in winter and requires extreme caution during snowy and icy conditions.

Seeing Ramona Falls is like watching a light show. The 100-foot (30-meter) waterfall appears in a wooded area and spreads into a wide cascade over a rock face. The water bounces off the formations, creating a sort of glow that’s enhanced when sun rays pass through trees to form multiple spotlights. The 7-mile (11-km) roundtrip trail is popular because of its gradual elevation gain, natural beauty, proximity to Mount Hood, and the remarkable waterfall itself.

A footbridge that crossed the Sandy River at the start of the trail was washed away in the 1990s and will not be replaced, so use caution when crossing the river. Consult the US Forest Service page on the trail for a river-crossing guide.

Cedar Mill Falls is in a regional park just west of incorporated Portland that encompasses parts of Cedar Mill Creek. The waterfall is 32 feet (10 meters) high and, according to state geology experts, was formed by lava flow. The trailhead starts at the Cedar Mill Bible Church parking lot and passes by remnants of the mill that gives the neighborhood (and church) its name.

Cedars and maples create a pleasant setting for the waterfall, which is visible from a boardwalk. The 5.1-mile (8.2-km) trail extends through greenways and parks in the suburban setting.

Abiqua Falls can be challenging to reach, yet most hikers who’ve visited the unusual location say it’s more than worthwhile. The secluded 92-foot (28-meter) waterfall descends over basalt rock formed into multiple hexagonal columns, resembling a stone pipe organ. If you seek a less-traveled path with few people, this is your place.

The trail is not well-marked (it’s private land, legally accessible), so you might want to download a map beforehand. You’ll need a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the trailhead. Otherwise, there’s a parking lot at the base of the gravel road leading to it. From there, it’s about a 5-mile (8-km) round trip. The short trail to the falls gets a bit steep, so be prepared.