The Ultimate Guide to Oregon’s Lesser Known Waterfall Hikes

Oregon is the land of waterfalls. There are at least 238 waterfalls throughout the state! Many of them are iconic and well-visited waterfalls in places like The Columbia Gorge and Silver Falls State Park. But there are so many stunning waterfalls throughout the state to explore that aren’t as busy. Below I’ll be sharing some of the amazing Oregon waterfall hikes throughout Oregon that don’t have quite as many visitors as the more popular trails. Exploring the lesser known trails and sites is always a great way to enjoy some seclusion and see the beauty of Oregon.

What to Know About Waterfall Hiking

The best time to chase waterfalls is actually Fall-Spring when there’s regular rain and snow melt. The fall is beautiful because the waterfalls will often be surrounding by the changing colors of autumn while the snow melt of spring can make them really roar. Winter is also beautiful if there is a light snow dusting, but be sure to wear microspikes to prevent slipping on trail. If you want to see these falls really flowing, aim for these months or spring for the strongest flow.

Hiking to waterfalls often means wet trails. Wear clothing and shoes that can get wet. Be sure to pack layers like rain coats and consider investing in waterproof hiking shoes if you haven’t done so already.

Be sure to read signs at the trailhead and waterfalls. If there are fences, stay behind them and do not climb them to get closer to the waterfall. They are there to protect the surrounding terrain. Stick to the established trails or durable surfaces like rocks when exploring. Even if it seems “safe” to do so, going over them can cause damage to the area, which they are there to protect.

Know before you go! Be sure to read recent reviews on the road condition to waterfall trailheads. Many roads are dirt and if there is heavy rain the roads can flood, have large pools of water or be extremely muddy. You do not want to get out of cell service and stuck on a rock because the conditions are poor. Always know before you go.

Never walk under a waterfall. Waterfalls have a lot of force to them and it is extremely dangerous to swim or walk under one. If you must take a dip, be sure to stay away from the falls when you swim. The water will also be extremely cold no matter the time of year so be cautious. Drowning is always possible in cold water temperatures.

Umbrella & Sahale Falls

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

Umbrella and Sahale Falls are great waterfalls to explore near the parking lot of Mt Hood Meadows. You can easily just do one of the falls based on your time and hiking desires or do the loop shared above to see them both. During the early to mid-summer, this area will have beautiful wildflowers and beargrass in bloom. These waterfalls aren’t as popular as other Mt Hood waterfall hikes so it’s a great option to hike with less people.

In the summer months the ski resort parking lot is closed, but you can park along the side of the road leading to the parking lot and walk to the trail. There is no official trailhead sign here so keep you eyes open for the trailhead located to the right of the gate. If you pre-download the AllTrails map, you can use that to make sure you are on the right trail.

Chush Falls

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

The Chush Falls trail is one of my favorite trails in central Oregon because of it’s beauty and seclusion. Although the trail is just outside of town, it isn’t as popular as other trails and often not busy with people, especially with the permit system in place now. Getting to the trailhead can be tricky, so be sure to have directions going prior to starting the drive. The road itself is a typical forest service road until the turn off the trailhead parking lot. At this point the road begins to climb in elevation but is also covered in larger rocks. It is doable in a low clearance car, but you will need to go slow to get there.

The trail is relatively exposed as it goes through an old burn scar. In the summer months the area is sprinkled with wildflowers. As you approach the falls the trail enters live growth forest. The trail ends just above the 50 foot falls, but there is a steep trail that takes you down the base of the falls. It is extremely steep so only venture down if you are comfortable with the terrain.

Important things to Note:

This area is known for having regular cougar activity. Always hike prepared for a possible cougar encounter and know what to do if it happens. Be sure to carry protection like bear pray or a pocket knife in case you need to use it and if you feel or see one in the area, rocks are great to pick up too. Be sure to make plenty of noise, know what chirping sounds they make and always keep dogs on leashes.

The trail does enter the Three Sisters Wilderness area and requires a permit to hike it between Memorial Day and October 15th. Permits can be obtains are recreation.gov.

PAULINA FALLS

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

Paulina Falls is an 80 foot waterfall that sits next to the Newberry Caldera in central Oregon. The waterfall hike itself is very short and just a half mile, but this entire area is family friendly and a great place to explore. From the parking lot the trail drops in elevation with a handful of switchbacks. It ends at a fenced viewing platform area below the falls.

If you wish to hike this trail in the winter or would like to have a longer hike to the falls, there is second route starting from the Ten Mile Sno-Park. This are gets a lot of snow so you will want to pack snowshoes for this route in the winter months. You can learn more about that route here.

Lower Soda Creek Falls

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

Lower Soda Creeks Falls is a great waterfall hike if you are looking for more seclusion. I had the trail to myself the entire time I hiked it on a spring weekend. In the summer months the trailhead sits next to a picnic area and campground and may be busier. The trail meanders along the creek through a lush forest filled with moss and ferns. Soda Creek is a great family friendly waterfall hike for all skill levels. The trail ends at the base of Soda Creek falls, a 150 foot, two-tiered waterfall surrounded by mossy rock.

McDowell Creek Falls Trail

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

McDowell Creek Falls Trail is a hidden gem located outside of Lebanon that actually features 4 different waterfalls within the park. You can park and quickly walk to each waterfall individually, but I’d recommend doing the full loop trail to take in the lush forest and enjoy the falls from every angle. The trail is well maintained and features a beautiful boardwalk along Majestic Falls. The park is open year-round and is a great family friendly hike for all skill levels. There are sections of stairs at multiples spots along the trail you will need to be able to manoeuvre down if you wish to do the loops trail.

Pheasant Creek and Niagara Falls

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

The trailhead to Pheasant Creek and Niagara Falls is not a very convenient place to reach compared to many of the other falls on this list. It is a 40 minute drive down an easy forest service road from Willamina. There is no cell service in this area and you will need to make a few turns on the forest service road, so be sure to have directions going before loosing cell service. Because of it’s seclusion, very few people will hike it on a given day.

The trail is a pleasant walk down a fern-lined trail. There are a few benches to sit on along the trail as well as a picnic table at the end with a view of Pheasant Falls, a 112 foot waterfall. This trail is great for kids and hikers of all skill levels.

Drift Creek Falls

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

Drift Creek Falls is probably the most traveled trail on this list due to its proximity to Lincoln City and the famous suspension bridge located at the top of the falls. It is a well maintained and easy trail to hike. It meanders through large growth trees covered in moss and lined with lush ferns. The trail is a beautiful trek in and of itself.

The trail has more elevation that others but is still a very doable hike for kids and various skill levels. Once you reach the suspension bridge there are amazing views of the 75 foot Drift Creek Falls below. It is a great spot to enjoy the views and then turn around if you want to limit the elevation of the hike. Once crossing the bridge the trail continues to the base of the falls where you can enjoy the differing view of the falls or go for a dip in the creek.

Munsons Creek Falls

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

Munson Creek Falls is a fun hike if you are in the area and wanting to see a 319 foot waterfall. It is a quick and easy hike. The trail used to take hikers to the waterfall itself but due to trail damage it now ends much closer to the trailhead. There is a fence and sign stating the trail is closed, so respect the trail closure and do not hike past the closure.

Beaver Falls

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

Beaver Falls is a fun and easy hike to a 48 foot waterfall. It is a perfect stop if you’re out along the Columbia River or headed to Astoria. It is a very short and mostly flat hike just off highway 30. Beaver Falls is unique because of its basalt rock formations surrounding the area. There is no parking lot, so be sure to safely park your car over the white lines and off the main road. This is a great little summer swimming hole too because it’s shallow and family friendly.

White River Falls

Check out the AllTrails guide for more information.

White River Falls is a 90 foot, two tiered waterfall located east of Mt Hood, towards Maupin. It isn’t necessarily around any other big hikes, but worth a drive if you’re in the area of exploring near Mt Hood. The hike itself is extremely easy to the viewpoint above. It is a short, flat walk from the parking area. There is a steeper, but short trail that takes you down below to the base of the falls and to the Old Tigh Valley power house.

You can freely explore this area but please be mindful of Leaving No Trace. Do not harm the power house and limit walking to existing trails or rocks to not disturb the existing vegetation. The parking lot closes in the winter but there is still limited parking along the road. Be sure the entire car is off the pavement and not over white lines or you may be towed for illegally parking.

Reminders

Many of these waterfalls are close together or have other waterfalls or hikes near by not mentioned here. Research your hike before going and see if you can add on any other hikes or sites to your day.

Be respectful of your fellow hiker and take turns taking photos at the waterfalls. Don’t sit or stand for long periods in places where people may want to take photos too. Find a spot ot sit off to the side of farther back if you want to stay and enjoy the waterfall for a while.

Many waterfall hike trailhead are located out of cell service. Make sure you have directions for the trailhead going before loosing service.

Even if you are hiking in the colder months of the year, it is extremely important to pack plenty of water and make sure you are staying well hydrated on trail. You may not feel thirsty hiking in the cold and rain, but your body still needs water on trail. Be sure to take regular water breaks.

What to Bring

The 10 Essentials

No mater the length of difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these item in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is a more difficult hike and if there were an emergency and you had to get help on trail you will want to have these items on hand. Plus you can always help a fellow hiker in need.

Backpack

Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water and supplies. Never rely on someone else to carry your gear because if there is an emergency everyone should be individually prepared. Even though most of these hikes are short, you still want to pack your essentials, plenty of layers, snacks and any other items you may want. If it’s raining, make sure your backpack has a rain cover or purchase one to go on your backpack.

Water and water filter 

Carrying plenty of water is extremely important no matter the time of year you hike. I always carry a water filter on top of my water supply so I can resupply if I need to. Because all of these hikes are to waterfalls, it is easy to filter fresh water if you need to.

An insulated water bottle is a great choice to keep the water cold if you able to filter new water. A water bladder is another great option to be able to carry a larger amount of water and easily be able to drink throughout the hike. On colder days I prefer using a double walled water bottle to prevent it from freezing in my bladder.

Hiking Shoes

Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means waterproof trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks. If you plan to hike fall through spring having waterproof shoes will be important to keep you feet dry on the wet trails. Below are my two favorite waterproof shoes to hike in for waterfalls.

Microspikes

These are only necessary if the trail is frozen or snowy, but an absolute must for many winter waterfall hikes. The trails can because slippery from ice or the pack down snow from previous hikers. Having microspikes to put over your shoes will help keep you upright on trail.

Warm Layers

Having proper layers no matter the time of the year is extremely important to staying safe on trail. In warmer months, sun protecting layers like sun shirts and hats will keep the sun off your skin. In colder, wet months, layers like down jackets, rain coats and gloves will keep you warm and dry on trail.

With so many waterfalls to chase in Oregon, you can’t go wrong. Do you have a favorite off-the-beaten-path waterfall hike? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Other Oregon Waterfall Hike Guides

Salt Creek and Diamond Falls

Best Waterfall Hikes Near Portland

Amazing Waterfalls in Oregon