ashenA waterfall hike can be a unique and a mesmerizing experience for most hikers. Maybe it is the stream of waterflow ending in a pool, the sight of which just makes you want to plunge into the water. Or just the natural roar brought out by the waterflow crashing into the bottom that resonates and echoes in the surrounding. It can also be the moist that emerges from the waterfall and surrounds the vicinity. Whichever it is, in this post we will present the best waterfalls in Portland, Oregon for they are best described as magnificent and gorgeous.
Oregon contains 230 waterfalls and it is because of its unique geology combined with the wet seasons. The wet winter weather assures that these waterfalls are cascades of water throughout the year. If you are an aquatic nature lover, then stay tuned to virtually experience some of the best waterfall hikes on the planet.
Best Waterfalls near Portland
While the list of waterfalls that we are about to present aren’t necessarily IN Portland, they are easily accessible from Portland. The Columbia River Gorge hosts some of the best waterfalls in the region. Mainly due to the winter rains and snow meltdowns, these waterfalls are never rid of water all year around. Also since Portland is closer to Mount Hood National Forest and Silver Falls State Park, you have plenty of opportunities to literally quench your thirst for waterfall hikes.
Latourell Falls
So The Columbia River Gorge is just over a forty minute drive from Portland and the Historic Columbia River Highway is woven along the gorge. So the Latourell Falls is the first waterfall you are going to be meeting while driving from Portland, you will recognize it easily from the yellow colored walls. It is a 224-foot waterfall and you can reach the upper falls using the 2.4-mile loop hike which falls across a State Park.
Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls
The 620-foot Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon and it is the beginning of this hike, reach the upper view point via Benson Bridge and complete the 4.9 mile loop until you reach Wahkeena Falls. Before the Wahkeena Falls, you will see some other waterfalls such as Wiesendanger, Dutchman, Ecola and Fairy. So all these waterfalls are located on the upper side of Multnomah Falls. Make sure to capture some memorable pictures along the hike.
If you choose to start off from Wahkeena Falls, you should know that there are different trails leading to the falls, the shortest being 0.5 miles. But during the winter, the trails can be closed due to the ice. You can also enjoy the scene from the parking lot, although you are probably better off taking the hike.
Bridal Veil Falls
Located 43 km east of Portland, the Bridal Veil Falls offers some of the most stunning waterfall views of Portland. To get to the falls, you have to complete a 1 mile hike descending to the base of the fall. There is also an upper trail that allows you to experience some magnificent views of Columbia River Gorge.
Horsetail Falls
It is named such because of its resemblance to a Horse’s tail. It is segregated as the upper and lower falls just like most others. And the lower Horsetail Falls viewpoint is beside the car park. It is 176 feet high and the base area is quite large.
Shepperds Dell Falls
Found 1.5 miles west of Bridal Veil, the view has to be enjoyed from the 1913 arched narrow bridge or the car park because the small trail to the waterfall is currently closed. But don’t worry, the view is still enjoyable from the parking lot.
So those are the most iconic falls near Portland and a few others include the Ramona Falls, Silver Falls and the Butte Creek Falls. But these are located further away, which is to say about 97 Km from Portland.
List Of Most Scenic Waterfalls Further Away From Portland
There are different ways to sort out the best waterfall hike. For beginners, the best way to get started is by choosing to hike in waterfall trails that are inside a national park. If you are more advanced and are hoping for a weekend escapade, then you might want to choose a waterfall with camping grounds nearby. But if you are a genuine lover of waterfalls to the point where you feel like time stands still while you are binding with nature, then you will benefit the most from this list.
Salt Creek Falls
Located 23 miles southeast of Oakridge and 5 miles west of Willamette Pass, Salt Creek Falls is Oregon’s second highest single drop waterfall. It is 286 feet and the observation platform is at the top of the waterfall. The observation point is just 50 yards away from the parking lot. There is a rather steep trail from the platform to the waterfall base. The official Salt Creek Falls Trail is a short hike with signposts along the canyon rim. You can enjoy the best waterfall experiences from April to August and during the winter it is usually closed.
Sahalie and Koosah Falls
These pair of waterfalls are also located within the Willamette National Forest. You have to travel east on Highway 126 until you meet Carmen reservoir, then you proceed until you meet the Koosah Falls sign and then take the left turn to access the waterfall. Proceed half a mile after Koosah falls to see the Sahalie Falls.
The waterfall’s 2.6-mile loop trail connects the two waterfalls and offers up better, picturesque views of the McKenzie River. How these waterfalls formed is quite interesting. They are actually two trails of basaltic andesite lava that damned Clear Lake and moved into the McKenzie River 3,000 years ago. Clear Lake was formed when lava flows from the high cascades dammed the Mckenzie River, in the said time. The Sahalie Falls is around 100 feet while the Koosah Falls is around 70 feet. The result of those basaltic lava trails are these two stunning waterfalls with foaming white water cascades in between.
Proxy Falls Trailhead
You can get to Proxy Falls from the McKenzie Bridge, or by traveling east on Highway 242 for 9 miles to the trailhead. This too is found in the Willamette National Forest. The 1.5-mile hike is somewhat congested during peak seasons, i.e from March to November. The trail provides access to the Three Sisters Wilderness and ends at the viewpoint of the lower Proxy falls. You can also choose to peak the Upper Proxy Falls and witness the glorious fall of water for 226 feet.
Watson Falls Trailhead
Watson Falls is the highest waterfall in southwest Oregon with its 293 foot drop. The trail is 0.4-miles and it leads to this gorgeous waterfall. You should travel on Highway 138 onto Forest Road 37 until you meet the Toketee Ranger Station. You cannot enjoy the full scenery of Watson Falls from the parking area, so you have to hike the trail in order to get closer to the waterfall. The surroundings are truly soothing and vibrant. You might want to grab a quick selfie with the moss covered rocks. There’s also picnic tables tucked inside the forest and you can find information about the geology of the falls in the posts placed in the parking area.
Summary
So there you have it, some of the best waterfalls in Portland, Oregon and some closer to Portland, just a few hours drive away. You should probably wear waterproof pants, a down jacket, hiking shoes and carry the other appropriate gear when hiking. Also make sure to check before you hike in the winter, for the trails could be closed.
