Oregon has so many amazing waterfalls, trying to choose which ones to visit can be a daunting task. One great way to experience many of Oregon’s most beautiful waterfalls at once is to take a road trip. That’s why we’ve put together this three-day weekend road trip itinerary that’ll lead you to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Oregon. Lace up your hiking boots and hit the road — this wonderful trip to the best Oregon waterfalls will blow you away.
This road trip winds through the Columbia River Gorge, loops around Mount Hood, and ends at the amazing Silver Falls State Park, passing many amazing waterfalls and notable points of interest along the way.
The map is 100 percent customizable, so you can make the trip as long or short as you'd like. The map above is focused on the natural attractions, but below we have included some ideas for places to stop for the night as well. You can view a customizable Google Map of this waterfall adventure to help you best plan your trip.
Beginning in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, take the historic Columbia River Highway to Latourell Falls. This spectacular, graceful waterfall is positively enchanting, and it's easily accessible from the highway. Parking at the trailhead, you can either walk a couple hundred feet to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the falls, or you can take a short hike that will lead you right up to the base of the waterfall. 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, too, making for a marvelous and charming afternoon adventure.
Continuing east along the Columbia River Highway, you'll reach Oregon's most iconic waterfall: Multnomah Falls. There's really nothing that quite compares to the majesty and grandeur of mighty Multnomah Falls. This amazing waterfall is the second tallest year-round waterfall in the country, and it's positively enchanting. You can view it from below, walk up to the bridge that crosses its middle, or even take a short but steep hike to the top. You can also stop at the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge to pick up some souvenirs or have lunch. We're partial to the latter!
After you leave Multnomah Falls, you'll hop onto the I-84. Along this road are numerous waterfalls that are all worth checking out. One of my favorites is the amazing Elowah Falls, which is located at the end of a beautiful 1.5-mile hike. We love this hike because it's totally under the radar and often not crowded!
Another great, short waterfall hike along the way is Wahclellah Falls, located just off Exit #40. (Are you sensing a theme here? The Columbia River Gorge is positively bursting with glorious waterfalls Depending on how much hiking you want to do during this trip, you can pick and choose between these lovely hidden gems.
As you continue down Interstate 84, you'll pass through the charming town of Hood River. There are numerous hotels, inns, and restaurants here, making it a great place to stop for the night. We simply adore Hood River, and think it might just be the most breathtaking getaway destination in Oregon!
Leaving Hood River, you'll take Highway 35 up into the Mt. Hood National Forest. Here, you'll find Tamanawas Falls, a stunning hidden gem waterfall located at the end of a 3.6-mile hike. The grand finale finish of this beautiful cascade makes it one of the best waterfall hikes in Oregon!
Circling around to the southern side of the mountain, you can branch off onto a side road that will lead you to the Ramona Falls Trailhead. A jaw-dropping seven-mile loop hike will lead you to this unique and magical waterfall. It's a slightly longer and more difficult hike than the others, but worth it.
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Timberline Lodge
Timberline Lodge, 27500 E Timberline Road, Government Camp, OR 97028, USA
After a day of hiking, one fun overnight option is to take a detour and drive towards the summit of Mt Hood to cozy up at the historic Timberline Lodge. Hailed as the most legendary place to stay in Oregon, this historic lodge is oozing with charm and is the perfect place to put up your feet after a day of epic waterfall chasing in Oregon.
The final destination on this trip is the wonderful Silver Falls State Park. Hailed as the Crown Jewel of the Oregon State Parks, this amazing place is packed with astounding waterfalls and serene forest hikes.
The most extraordinary hike in the park is the Trail of Ten Falls, a 8.7 mile loop that leads you past (and behind) many wondrous waterfalls. The experience is truly one of a kind. If you're looking for something a little shorter, you can hike just a section of the trail, or try out one of the park's many other waterfall trails. This waterfall trail in Oregon is absolutely a bucket-list must for all waterfall chasers!
Silver Falls Lodge
Silver Falls State Park - North Lodge Group Campground, Silverton, OR 97381, USA
If you're not ready to head home quite yet, you can stay the night at the wonderful Silver Falls Lodge, rent a cabin, or camp in this beautiful state park, which happens to be the biggest in Oregon. It's a beautiful place to stay and revel in the sublime scenery of Silver Falls State Park.
Looking for more great adventures in the Beaver State? If you’re still itching to find some of the best falls in Oregon to plan an epic waterfall road trip, check out this amazing adventure that visits the best falls in Oregon. If you’re searching for another kind of scenic adventure, here are some awesome road trips we think everyone should add to their Oregon bucket lists!
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Waterfalls near me
Sarah M.|March 25, 2022
Besides waterfall chasing, what are some outdoor activities to do in Oregon?
While we're partial to chasing waterfalls here in the Beaver State, that's by no means the only form of outdoor recreation available! Oregon is a natural beauty, with some of the most resplendent natural wonders in the world. The state is home to endless majestic mountains, piercing blue lakes, wondrous waterfalls, stunning beaches, and lush, and straight-from-a-fairytale forests, making Oregon an absolute paradise for nature enthusiasts. Whether you choose to hike, visit a garden or park, kayak a river, stargaze, explore an underground cave, or even climb a mountain, Oregon has some of the best outdoor recreation in the country, and you can learn more about everything available to us in this nature lover's guide.
