Oregon Waterfalls

Oregon has amazing waterfalls which are nestled between lush green ferns, moss, plants, and evergreen trees.  These are some of my very favorite waterfalls to hike to. 

Koosah Falls is located along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass and West Cascades National Scenic Byways in Oregon.  The waterfall main drop is 64 feet.  You can either park at Koosah Falls or Sahalie Falls parking lot and hike the short half mile Waterfall Loop Trail between the two falls along the rushing McKenzie river.  At Koosah falls the trail picks up to the McKenzie River trail.  To complete the 2.6-mile waterfall loop trail you would need to connect with the McKenzie River Trail.  Many people like parking at Ice Cap day use area to start this hike if Sahalie or Koosah Falls parking lot is too full.  (The official start of this trail is called the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507.) 

Koosah Falls

Sahalie Falls is located along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass and West Cascades National Scenic Byways off Highway 126 in Oregon.  The falls drop 73 feet.  It is a short walk from the parking lot.

Sahalie Falls

Wallowa River, Oregon.  The beautiful section of water is along the 8.1-mile Chief Joseph Mountain Trail, near Joseph Oregon in the Northeastern part of the state.

Wallowa River

Salt Creek Falls is the 2nd tallest waterfall in Oregon with a drop of 286 feet.  From the observation point, you can hike down to the base of the falls.

Salt Creek Falls

Many people driving on Hwy. 58 make a quick stop just to look at Salt Creek Falls even if they've seen it many times before. The falls can be viewed fairly close to the parking lot.  Most don't take the three-mile round trip trek which follows the canyon rims of Salt Creek and Diamond Creek, and eventually leads to Diamond Creek falls.  My photos of Diamond Creek Falls shown were both taken on a sunny July day.  Our group didn't see any other people on the trail, or anyone lingering at these amazing falls.  

Diamond Creek Falls has a drop of 100 feet.   It is breathtaking!

Diamond Creek Falls

Silver Falls is another of my favorites.  So much, that I did an earlier post about it!  It has the famous Trail of Ten Falls, an 8.7-mile loop. The park is located near Silverton and is the largest State Park in Oregon. 

Milddle North Falls along Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park

Upper North Falls - Silver Falls State Park

South Falls, Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park

I have attached the link below to my earlier post "Silver Falls State Park" with more photographs of this lovely park.  Spring is the best time to go if you want to see more water rushing over each of the ten falls.

Silver Falls State Park

Upper and Lower Proxy falls are located off the McKenzie Scenic Byway (Hwy 242). It is an easy two-mile loop trail in some beautiful old growth trees, in the Three Sisters Wilderness.  

Lower Proxy Falls

Upper Proxy Falls

Tumalo Falls is located outside of Bend in the Deschutes National Forest and is spectacular!  It is fed by Tumalo creek and has a 97-foot drop. It eventually feeds into the Deschutes River.  It's a short walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint to see this stunning waterfall.  There are longer hikes at this site as well.

Tumalo Falls

Another fabulous double waterfall with a short hike to get to is Paulina Falls.  Both twins have a drop of 80-feet over volcanic cliffs.  Be sure to take both the lower (1/4 mile) and upper trail (1/2 mile) Paulina Falls Trail. The upper trail will take you past the falls and if you like you can continue on all the way to Paulina Lake.  Paulina Falls is located near Lapine Oregon and is part of the Newberry Crater National Monument.

Paulina Falls (Double Falls #1)

Paulina Falls (Double Falls #2)

The most famous waterfall in Oregon is Multnomah Falls (not pictured).  It is also the most photographed of all the waterfalls in Oregon.  It's located near Portland, on the Columbia Gorge.  With a drop of 620 feet, it is the tallest waterfall in Oregon.

Oregon is full of magnificent waterfalls. I hope you hike to some on your next visit to Oregon.  It's so much fun!

Happy Trails!