Oregon's Best Waterfalls and Hot Springs

Oregon has one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the US — the Columbia River Gorge alone has more than 90 named falls. The state also has notable hot springs in the Cascades and Wallowas.

Multnomah Falls (620 ft)
The most-visited natural attraction in Oregon and one of the highest year-round waterfalls in the US — a two-tiered cascade dropping 620 feet total from the Columbia River Gorge basalt rim. The Benson Bridge connects the two tiers; the Multnomah Falls Lodge (1925) at the base houses a visitor center and restaurant. More than 2 million people visit annually. Best in late spring when flow is highest; beautiful in winter when ice forms on the basalt.

South Falls, Silver Falls State Park (177 ft)
The centerpiece of the Trail of Ten Falls — a 177-foot cascade in an amphitheater of basalt behind which the trail passes. The path behind the falls gives a perspective of seeing the falls from behind the curtain of water. The surrounding silver maple and bigleaf maple canyon turns brilliant gold in October.

Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls (McKenzie River)
On the McKenzie River east of Eugene — Sahalie Falls (100 ft) and Koosah Falls (70 ft) are two cascades on the upper McKenzie where the river plunges over ancient lava flows. The Trail of Blue and Green connects them in a 2.7-mile loop through old-growth Douglas fir. The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail (26 miles) continues downstream past springs and waterfalls.

Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool)
On the McKenzie River Trail — the most unusual waterfall in Oregon: Tamolitch (Chinook for "bucket") is a dry waterfall most of the year, as the McKenzie River disappears into porous lava 3 miles upstream and resurfaces here as a spring from the base of a 60-foot basalt amphitheater. The pool at the base is an extraordinary turquoise spring; the surrounding basalt cliffs are striking.

Bagby Hot Springs (Mount Hood NF)
A historic soaking destination in the Mount Hood National Forest southeast of Portland — wooden tub soaking facilities in a forest of old-growth Douglas fir and cedar. A 1.5-mile trail leads to the springs from the trailhead. The hot spring water flows at 136°F; users mix it with cold stream water in wooden troughs to comfortable temperature.