Of all the States in the USA, Oregon must be one of the most serene and picturesque. This state has been nicknamed the Beaver State because of its association with the animal during its early history.
It is also associated with the industriousness of this animal.
But what about waterfalls? This is the number one reason why people might visit a state. These cascading wonders are the very reason why someone might visit a state in the first place.
From Niagara Falls to Angel Falls, these water features are always a huge draw for tourists.
So, if you are visiting Oregon, then what are the best waterfalls to visit? Which are the most majestic? Which are the tallest?
Well, we’ve looked at some of the very best, so the next time that you are visiting Oregon, you’ll know which waterfalls you can make a beeline for.
If you’re going to start somewhere, then why not start with one of the most famous waterfalls in the Oregon region?
This is one of the state’s most visited attractions, with thousands of people queuing up to have snaps taken with the 600-foot behemoth.
If you are looking for impressive heights, then you’ll want to check this one out as it is taller than Niagara Falls! Get underneath this one with your nearest and dearest and commemorate that amazing Oregon holiday.
One of the best things about this waterfall is the surrounding scenery. It is surrounded by luscious greenery and majestic cliffs that fill your vision.
This is the perfect place to take some amazing photographs, so make sure that when you visit these Falls, you bring a camera.
Also, a great thing about this waterfall is the fact that it has a bridge that extends over the waterfall itself.
This means you can either have your photograph taken by someone at the bottom or you can stand on the bridge itself and have a picture of the falls right behind you.
There is also plenty to explore when you are visiting these falls. You can go on a hiking trail and witness some of the beautiful scenery in the area.
There are also multiple falls that surround Multnomah, so if you have a thirst for waterfalls, then this is the place to go.
This is also a great waterfall to visit if you are in Portland, as the falls are only a half-hour drive from there. Why not take an afternoon jaunt to Multnomah, take in all the wonders of nature, and then drive back to the city for an evening drink?
This next waterfall is equally as awe-inspiring as the first, with a 224-foot drop that is amazing to behold. You can also take a 2-mile trip around this waterfall, hiking all the way to the top and breathing in some of the most magical views you can imagine.
This is a wonderful spot for the hotter seasons, allowing you to take a dip in the pool that is at the foot of the waterfall itself.
Grab a picnic blanket and find yourself a cool and leafy spot where you can just chill out, and listen to the water dashing against the rocks while tucking into some homemade snacks.
As the summer season approaches, the flow of the water will become a lot slower, which means slightly more diffusion in the way the water falls.
However, no matter what time of the year you visit this waterfall, it will look simply incredible and certainly Instagram-worthy.
There are plenty of hiking trails and designated picnic areas that you can enjoy. The surrounding area has unforgettable wilderness that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else in the country.
So, what are you waiting for? If you are in Oregon, get down there immediately!
If you are in the Western part of the state, then you might want to take a trip to Watson Falls, which is over 300 feet tall, making it one of the most beautiful waterfall spots that you can see in the country.
You will have to hike to get there, but it is only half a mile, so it shouldn’t take you that long. The fact that this is one of the most popular waterfalls that you can visit in Oregon (You might also like Things To Do In Eugene, Oregon) shows that it is a place that is worth making the journey to.
However, if you are craving more challenging hikes, then you can go to the nearby wooden bridge which runs through the falls itself, perfect if you want to feel that cool natural water on your skin.
This also comes with plenty of climbing zones that are perfect for everyone from the beginner to the expert rock climber.
There is plenty to do here, so you won’t want to make a fleeting visit. You can fish, hike, bike, camp and even indulge in some whitewater rafting if you are brave enough.
This waterfall can be found close to Salem, so if you are having a city break and you want to get away from the urban chaos, then we can recommend no better afternoon trip than journeying half hour to this local landmark.
South Falls is not only a great place to visit for a few hours, but it has plenty of camping amenities that will allow you to take your favorite tent and pitch up for one, two, or maybe three nights if you are really enjoying it.
This waterfall is over 175 feet tall, which makes it smaller than some of the others, but that does not make it any less special or magical to look at.
This also comes with a 7-mile hike that circles the entire waterfall, which is great if you want to work those leg muscles and look at fantastic scenery.
White River Falls State Park is not just home to a gorgeous waterfall, but it also has plenty of lush greenery that you can explore, hike, tunnel, and camp in. If you like challenging rocks and spectacular scenery, then this is the park for you.
The waterfall itself is 90 feet high but is no less impressive than some of the taller waterfalls. No matter what time of the year you decide to visit this waterfall, it will look amazing.
The climate itself is always warm and moist, especially during the summer.
Abandoned buildings might not be everyone’s idea of a thing to travel for, but near these falls is a decommissioned hydroelectric plant which, for anyone who gets excited by abandoned buildings, will be a must-see.
White River Falls is certainly off the beaten track, so if you like to get away from tourists and indulge in one of Oregon’s best-kept secrets, then you should sample this one (see also “10 Things To Do In Portland, Oregon“).
Named after the massive bowl-shaped pool that sits underneath these falls, this is one of the prettiest waterfalls that you have ever seen.
If you are looking for a place of great natural beauty that you can splash around in and cool off during the summer, then Punch Bowl Falls is for you.
This is one of the shortest falls on this list measuring just 35 feet, but make no mistake, this waterfall has enough height and majesty for you to keep you gazing at it for hours on end.
If you want a spot of solace and recreation away from the throng of the city, then we can recommend no better place than Punch Bowl Falls.
The only drawback of this place is that everybody knows about it, so if you are looking for utter tranquility, then you might be disappointed.
However, if you avoid going on the weekends during the summer season, then you might find it suitably quiet.
Now, for those of you who are a fan of waterfalls that seem to defy physics, then we can certainly recommend Salt Creek Falls. This is one of the largest falls in the state, but why read what we’ve written about it when you can see it for yourself?
For those of you who might have accessibility issues, this is a great falls to visit. You can get there in no time at all and it is only 50 feet away from the parking area.
This area is brimming with natural beauty, giving you everything that you need for a spectacular view of nature, with rolling forests, lush vegetation, and stunning rock formations.
If you are a fan of extreme winter sports, then this would be another great falls that you can visit.
It has cross-country skiing during the snowy weather, which will work up a sweat and give your amazing vistas of the surrounding snowy landscape.
The one drawback of this park is that there is a fee to enter. But if you like challenging trails and unmatched views of the countryside, then you can’t go wrong with these falls.
This next waterfall is a popular location, situated in the wilderness of the Deschutes National Forest. This is a very popular attraction that is very accessible to tourists, with a gravel path that will lead quickly to the falls themselves.
These falls are small but no less impressive than some of the larger ones. This also comes with a creek trail that will allow you to get right to the top of the falls and view the canyon below. In terms of breathtaking views, this one is very hard to beat.
However, the one downside of these falls is that the rolling valleys and jaw-dropping mountains do draw in their fair share of tourists.
If you are planning on visiting during the height of summer, then you might expect to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a lot of tourists.
If you want to avoid people, then we would recommend going during mid-week during the day when most people are at work.
For those waterfall junkies for which one waterfall is not enough, then try the dual Sahalie and Koosah waterfalls. If you like trails and plenty of hiking from your waterfall, then we can heartily recommend this tourist hotspot.
What better Instagram picture opportunity than having two waterfalls cascading behind you? But that’s not all, with plenty of scenic locations in the surrounding area, you can be sure of finding plenty of material to fill up your camera roll.
It goes without saying that you will be able to really connect with nature when you visit these falls, especially as this place does not get as many tourists as some of the other falls that we’ve listed here.
Another great thing about this location is the fact that it is easy to get to.
If you are a wheelchair user or know someone who is, then this waterfall is perfectly accessible, not being that far from the parking lot and having a trail that is smooth and easy to negotiate.
These falls are also situated close to a few national forests, so there will be plenty for you to do here.
Take a picnic blanket and relax with your family or bring some hiking boots and scale your way up to the tops of the falls, rewarding yourself with some amazing views.
Finally, we have a falls that offer amazing views of a gorge, panoramic vistas of deep green foliage, and rushing water that will make you feel relaxed as soon as you see them.
This has many different tiers, allowing you to take pictures of the falls from many different vantage points. It only takes you 10-15 minutes to get to and if you make the effort, you won’t be disappointed.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is plenty to do in Oregon, once you know the local hotspots. Whether it is hiking or relaxing, there is something for everyone at each one of these stunning natural landmarks.
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
