The next three-day weekend you have, consider taking this fun road trip that takes you to all the great waterfalls around Portland, and enjoy some scenic beauty away from the city. Combining the magic of the Columbia Gorge’s treasure trove of falls, along with the majestic heights of Silver Falls State Park’s many falls, this is one road trip that nature lovers will really love.

Google Maps
Head Out On The Historic Columbia River Highway.
Historic Columbia River Highway, Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR, USA
Granger Meador / Flickr
First things first: jump on the Historic Columbia River Highway. This 100-year-old road is the perfect route to get you started on this fun weekend waterfall trip in Portland, and it features many amazing views of its own.
Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls, Oregon, USA
Ian Sane / Flickr
First up, you will come to Latourell Falls and its 249-foot plunge. While there are beautiful hikes at all the falls, Latourell Falls can be viewed without much of a walk from the parking lot.
Shepperd's Dell Falls
Shepperd's Dell Falls, East Historic Columbia River, Corbett, OR 97019, USA
Nicholas D / Flickr
Two miles west of the highway, Shepperd's Dell State Park is home to this beautiful and easy-to-access waterfall bearing the same name.
Angel's Rest Hike
Angel's Rest Trailhead, East Historic Columbia River, Bridal Veil, OR 97010, USA
gcmenezes / Flickr
A little farther down the road, you will see signs for the Angel's Rest Trailhead. This five-mile hike is a lovely addition to your Portland waterfalls tour and takes you by Coopey Falls, along with showing you some truly amazing views of the Gorge.

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Coopey Falls
Coopey Falls, Oregon 97019, USA
Lisa Norwood / Flickr
Coopey Falls is a small waterfall that awaits you after your journey on the trail. It's another easy-access waterfall near Portland that you're sure to love!
Wahkeena Falls
Wahkeena Falls, Oregon 97019, USA
Tracy Lee Caroll / Flickr
Just a half-mile west of Multnomah Falls is the 242-foot Wahkeena Falls, a tiered waterfall that's absolutely extraordinary.
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA
Peter Roome / Flickr
Of course, the big draw in the Gorge, Multnomah Falls, stands at 620 feet, making it the tallest waterfall in Oregon, and the second tallest waterfall in the United States. While you are there, stop at the Multnomah Falls Lodge for lunch or at least grab a cup of coffee at the base of the waterfall. It is a novelty to visit a waterfall that has a coffee stand at the bottom and you don't want to miss out on this added perk.
Horsetail Falls
Horsetail Falls, Oregon, USA
dvdmnk / Flickr
Finally, along the Columbia Gorge, head to Horsetail Falls, also known as Ponytail Falls. Just 2.5 miles east of Multnomah Falls, this 176-foot waterfall is a horsetail formation waterfall, hence its name. When you pass by the historic Vista House at Crown Point State Park, be sure to get out of the car and take a panoramic shot of the gorge and its visible waterfalls from this amazing viewpoint.
Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, USA
Flickr / Max Rae
Head down to Silver Falls State Park for the night. Stay in one of the park's rustic cabins or the Silver Falls Lodge for the night and enjoy a wonderful view of the night sky. This is one of our favorite state parks in Oregon, and a must-visit for waterfall chasers!
The following day, hike the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular loop that, as the name suggests, crosses 10 waterfalls. Be ready to be amazed and be sure to bring a camera for the occasion.
Martin Bravenboer / Flickr

You may like to rent an RV for overnight accommodations for this trip if you prefer something more flexible and informal! What are your favorite waterfalls around Portland to visit? Share them with your fellow waterfall chasers in the comments section below!

For another amazing waterfall to visit around Portland, definitely check out Wahclella Falls. This lesser-known cascade in Columbia River Gorge is simply sublime. Surrounded by verdant green foliage and moss-covered boulders, Wahclella Falls is a vision. The blue waters plunge into a cerulean pool that’s the perfect place for quiet contemplation — or dipping your toes on a hot summer’s day. What a dream!

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More to Explore

waterfalls near me

Sarah M. | March 09, 2022

What's the tallest waterfall near Portland, Oregon?

Portland is a wonderful location for waterfalls, as it's located just a quick drive from Columbia River Gorge, a treasure trove of beautiful cascades! In fact, this PNW wonder is home to over 90 waterfalls on the Oregon side alone, so there are lots to explore and see. Within this waterfall wonderland, Multnomah Falls stands quite literally above the rest. This 620-foot-tall, roaring waterfall is the tallest in Oregon (and the second-tallest in the U.S.!) and in a league all its own. It's absolutely one of the most bucket-list-worthy waterfalls in the country.

What are some waterfall hikes near Portland?

We're going to stay in the Columbia River Gorge region, since, as we mentioned above, it's teeming with spectacular waterfalls! There are numerous hikes within this region; happily, many of them are perfectly suitable for beginners! Latourell Falls is one of the finest in the Gorge, and the hike to access these falls is a dream. The Latourell Falls Loop Trail boasts four different wooden bridges, making for a marvelous and charming afternoon adventure. You'll find the trailhead just off the Historic Columbia River Highway. Another waterfall hike in this area is to Beautiful Bridal Veil Falls. The trail to this falls is just a half-mile long, well-paved, and easy to navigate. The falls themselves are nothing short of fantastic: there are two drops, and the entire waterfall is about 118 feet. While Bridal Veil isn't the tallest in the Gorge, we think the payoff for such a short hike is pretty extraordinary!

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