Between Oregon's Cascades and Washington's Cascade and Olympic ranges, this region has one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the country — Oregon alone has more than 200. You don't need a serious backcountry trip to see the best of them; some of the most impressive falls are a short, easy walk from the parking lot.
Multnomah Falls (Oregon)
The most iconic waterfall in the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason. At 620 feet, it's the tallest waterfall in Oregon, dropping in two tiers down a basalt cliff about 30 miles east of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. A paved quarter-mile trail from Multnomah Falls Lodge takes you to Benson Bridge, which crosses the gorge 105 feet above the lower cascade. It's also the most-visited natural site in the entire region, with over 2 million visitors a year — expect crowds, especially on weekends, and go early on a weekday if you can.
Latourell Falls (Oregon)
Also in the Columbia River Gorge, Latourell is a quieter, arguably more photogenic alternative to Multnomah. The falls cascade through columnar basalt pillars streaked with lichen, and the loop trail around it is far less crowded than the Multnomah corridor.
Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls (Oregon)
Horsetail Falls is visible right from the road in the Gorge's "Waterfall Corridor" and drops 176 feet. The real highlight, though, is the short hike up to Ponytail Falls, where the trail actually passes behind the waterfall through a rocky overhang.
Silver Falls State Park — Trail of Ten Falls (Oregon)
If you only do one longer waterfall hike in Oregon, this is the one worth the drive. The Trail of Ten Falls loop passes ten separate waterfalls in less than 10 miles, making it one of the most efficient ways to see a huge variety of falls in a single outing.
Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls (Oregon)
Northwest of Bend, these two falls sit along the McKenzie River, formed where ancient lava flows dammed the river thousands of years ago. Koosah Falls drops about 70 feet, Sahalie about 100 — both are close together and make an easy, family-friendly pairing. Note that the park can close when parking fills up on busy summer weekends.
Abiqua Falls (Oregon)
A striking 92-foot waterfall that drops over hexagonal basalt columns into a large plunge pool near Scotts Mills. It's also one of the more demanding "easy" waterfalls on this list — the final stretch down to the creek is steep, often muddy, and aided by ropes in places, so it's not a great fit for small kids or anyone with knee issues. It's worth knowing that Abiqua Falls sits on private land the owners have generously allowed public access to, and its ownership status has been in flux — as of 2026, Oregon's legislature approved funding to help purchase the falls and surrounding land with the goal of preserving public access, though the process was still pending. Worth checking current access status before you plan a trip here.
Tunnel Falls (Oregon)
The signature destination on the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge — a roughly 120- to 160-foot waterfall (sources vary slightly) where the historic trail was blasted directly into the cliff behind the falls, letting hikers walk through a tunnel with the water crashing right beside them. It's a serious hike, though — about 12 miles round-trip with roughly 1,200 to 1,600 feet of elevation gain, along narrow, cliffside trail sections with cable handholds. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead. This is a full-day, experienced-hiker outing, not a casual waterfall stop.
Ramona Falls (Oregon)
A striking 120-foot horsetail waterfall fanning out over a wall of mossy rock on the west side of Mount Hood. The hike is a moderate 7-8 mile loop, partly along the Pacific Crest Trail, with the main challenge being a Sandy River crossing early on — the Forest Service no longer installs a seasonal bridge here, so the crossing can be genuinely difficult or even dangerous depending on water levels. Best attempted later in the season once the river has dropped, and worth calling ahead to a ranger station to check crossing conditions before you go.
Franklin Falls (Washington)
An easy, family-friendly hike along the south fork of the Snoqualmie River leads to this 70-foot waterfall, with river views and canyon glimpses along the way.
Comet Falls, Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
A more demanding hike, but a dramatic one — the trail follows Van Trump Creek past bridges, ladders, and the three-tiered Bloucher Falls before arriving at the 300-foot Comet Falls itself.
A few practical notes
- Spring is prime waterfall season in most of the region, when snowmelt and rain keep flows at their heaviest — though exact timing varies by elevation.
- Some popular Gorge trailheads require timed-use permits during peak season. Check current permit requirements before you go, since these change year to year.
- Parking fills up fast at the most popular falls (Multnomah especially) — arriving early or going on a weekday makes a real difference.
- Not every waterfall on this list is a casual walk. Abiqua, Tunnel Falls, and Ramona Falls all involve real elevation gain, water crossings, or steep/exposed trail sections — check difficulty and current conditions before you go, and bring proper footwear and trekking poles where recommended.
Try it yourself
