Waterfalls abound in the great state of Oregon, with more than 230 unique cascades throughout the state. Luckily, many of them are easily accessible. Venture out on 5 of the best waterfalls hikes near Portland, Oregon.
I’ve been to Oregon on numerous occasions, but this last year we spent two months in exploring in our van. We decided to take our time heading out on all of the best trails and seeing the falls in the area and we were truly amazed at what we found!
My dad is obsessed with waterfalls, so I’ve spent my whole life exploring them. These are truly some of the most beautiful in the world! 😍
Now, I’ve shared them here, so that you can also explore these wonderful waterfall hikes near Portland. All of them are within 90 minutes from Portland and are great day hikes. Read below for all the trail details, tips for hiking in Oregon, and advice on the best time to hike to the falls.
You Might Also Like These Posts:
- The Most Incredible Waterfall: A Guide to Tunnel Falls Oregon
- An Epic Waterfall Hike: Trail of Ten Falls Guide
- Your Guide to the Enchanting Umpqua Waterfalls
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5 Best Waterfall Hikes Near Portland
1. Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls & Tunnel Falls
Choose your own adventure as you head onto the Eagle Creek Trail. Choose to turn around after seeing Punchbowl Falls at 1 miles or delve further into the forest until you get to the astounding Tunnel Falls. Water rushes over a cave you can walk behind.
It’s truly one of the most unique waterfalls in the country!
Luckily, Eagle Creek is just 45 minutes from Portland, so it’s a great day hike. While it gains elevation gradually, you’re often on a narrow path by a ledge. 😳 So, be careful and hold on to the chains when they have them!
Along the way, you’ll pass countless other falls in a mystical forest. It feels like you’ve transported into the scenes from Fern Gully or Tuck Everlasting. 🧚🏻
Punchbowl/Tunnel Falls Hike Quick Info:
Distance: 1-12 miles with Sentinel Pass
Elevation: 127-2100 feet
Type: Out and Back
Length: 1-6 hours
Difficulty: Easy or Hard
2. Trail of Ten Falls
Oregon is known for plentiful waterfalls, and this trail may just take the crown! 👑 There are 10 waterfalls on this amazing trail!
The Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park is one of the most popular hikes in the area and for good reason! Travel an hour from Portland to get to the park and journey through this amazing forest.
There are multiple ways to do this loop and you can shorten it if you choose. But, I recommend doing the full trail. You’ll get to walk behind four different waterfalls and see a variety of stunning cascades.
Trail of Ten Falls Quick Info:
Distance: 7.4 miles (if you do the whole loop)
Elevation: 1100 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
3. Ramona Falls
Ramona Falls comes down over wall where it diverts into multiple lines of water. It’s truly a sight to behold! 🤩
You’ll find this trail about an hour from Portland deep in the Mount Hood Wilderness. Just be wary as you drive down the road, because there are tons of potholes and it can be rough on low cars!
From the trailhead, you’ll wander through the forest, over a river bed with views of Mount Hood, and finally get to the falls in the forest. It’s a mystical little glen where you can take a rest and enjoy.
Ramona Falls Hike Quick Info
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 1050 feet of gain
Type: Lollipop
Length: 2.5-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
4. Falls Creek Falls
At 350 feet, this three tiered waterfall gushes down into the pool below. This hike is popular for good reason, it’s one of the most striking and memorable cascades in the area.
Walk through a forest until you see the falls from a distance. As you get closer, you’ll begin to see the various tiers of the cascade. Finally, you’ll arrive right in front of the waterfall where there are multiple resting areas to sit and take it all in.
Prepare to get wet 💦 if you walk down to the base of the falls!
Falls Creek Falls is the only waterfall on this list that’s actually in Washington! But, it’s just across the border and it’s just over an hour away from Portland in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
After your hike make sure to stop at Panther Creek Falls, which is just down the road!
Falls Creek Falls Hike Quick Info
Distance: 6.1 miles
Elevation: 1200 feet of elevation gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 2.5-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
5. Tamanawas Falls
Water cascades off a rocky cliff into the a flowing river in the peaceful Mouth Hood National Forest. Tamanawas Falls is a fantastic hike to visit year round with excellent hiking and snow shoe conditions! ❄️
At just over 3 miles, this trail is a great one to take the whole family along. It winds its way through the National Forest before getting to the gushing falls at the end. It’s one of the most picturesque falls in Oregon.
NOTE: The parking lot for this trail is small, so get there early in the morning to get a spot!
Tamanawas Falls Quick Hike Info:
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 580 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 1.5-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking in Oregon Tips!
Tips for Hiking in Oregon
🌧 Bring durable waterproof gear, check the weather ahead of time and embrace the rain!
🚗 Visit places during off peak times like weekdays or early in the morning to avoid crowds and get parking.
📲 Download maps ahead of time, so you don’t get lost on the trails.
🐻 There are bears and cougars in the areas around Portland. Bring bear spray and keep your distance if you see any wildlife.
🎒 Don’t leave valuables in your car, there are some break ins reported at trailheads in these areas.
🎟 Get an America the Beautiful pass or Northwest Forest Pass instead of paying the entry fee at every hike.
What to Wear on Hikes Near Portland Oregon
There’s no doubt about it, Oregon is a very wet state. The Portland area sees about 36 inches of rain a year. ⛈ So, the best way to prepare for your hike is to wear waterproof gear!
It’s also important to have sturdy shoes with good grip, because the ground can get very slick. Below I’ve listed a packing list for Waterfall hiking.
Oregon Hiking Gear
- Rain Jacket
- Rain Pants
- Durable Hiking Boots
- Rain Cover
- Good Day Pack
- Water Reservoir
- Waterproof Phone Case
- Merino Wool Socks
- Satellite Phone
Best Time to Visit Waterfalls in Oregon
The waterfalls in Oregon are truly scenic year round. That being said, you’ll get a variety of conditions based on when you go.
Visit waterfalls in the spring and early summer to see them gushing. After the winter when the snow melts and rain continues to fall, there will be large amounts of water flow, making these falls fall down in torrents.
Late summer and early Fall are often the driest times of year. Which means, the waterfall levels will be at their lowest. But, they are still worth visiting!
While not all Falls are accessible in the winter, seeing them with snow all around is magical ✨. You’ll just want to take extra precautions, bring snowshoes or spikes, and check road/trail closures!
Where to Stay in Portland
Portland is a large city with a variety of choices on where to stay. If you choose to stay in the city I recommend staying in the downtown area for your first time or the Pearl District for a more fun vibe.
However, if you’d rather stay near many of the hiking areas. I would choose hotels in the Mount Hood area or near the Columbia River Gorge!
Great Hotels in Portland:
Final Thoughts on the Best Waterfall Hikes near Portland, Oregon
Oregon is a waterfall lover’s paradise with a variety of unique cascades to visit. I loved each and every one of these hikes.
Now, if you have more time to visit the area, don’t miss visiting Multnomah falls or Bridal Veil Falls near Portland. These waterfalls are part of the Columbia River Gorge! You can see many gorgeous waterfalls just by walking from the parking areas.
I hope you have an amazing time on your explorations and visit these incredible spots!
Let me know if you like this post in the comments!
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I hiked to and saw like a dozen waterfalls in the CRG but somehow haven’t been to any of these! Adding them to my list for sure!
Have you been to Oregon in May? We are looking to take a trip in May and had planned on Banff but didn’t want it to be all frozen so are looking for another place to go. Thinking about Oregon, Glacier or the Tetons!
Yes, I’ve actually been to all three in May!I have posts about visiting the Tetons and Glacier in May specifically on my blog, but I would say if it’s your first time Oregon is better for May! Things will still be frozen and most trails will be closed in those parks, whereas there are tons of beautiful waterfalls and wildlflowers to see in Oregon! I highly recommend Dog Mountain, which I also have a post on if you want more details.