Oregon is a dream destination for waterfall chasers, boasting no less than 230 named falls. But while the Columbia River Gorge and Silver Falls State Park are the places most associated with waterfalls in Oregon, there are some truly incredible cascades hiding where you’d least expect them: the desert! The High Desert region of Central Oregon is flush with fabulous falls, and today we’re sharing some well-worth chasing.
- Paulina Falls
Samson1976/iStock via Getty Images Plus Located at the intriguing Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Paulina Falls is comprised of a duo of falls that cascade 80 feet down a rocky outcrop. It’s a stunning scene in a stunning place, and easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Oregon’s High Desert. Paulina Creek Falls, Oregon 97739, USA
- Tumalo Falls
Bonnie Moreland/Flickr Deschutes National Forest is a veritable waterfall treasure trove, and that’s where you’ll find a two-mile trail that leads to a double waterfall and a scenic overlook, not to mention one of the best-known falls in the state. Tumalo Falls is a gorgeous, 97-foot tall fall that pours into Tumalo Creek in a thunderous rush of water. It’s quite a spectacle to behold! Tumalo Falls, Oregon 97703, USA
- Benham Falls
rsmseymour/iStock via Getty Images Plus Speaking of the dazzling Deschutes, Benham Falls is another falls you’ll find along this iconic river. While more of a series of cascades than your standard waterfall, Benham Falls is nevertheless a stunning scene along an accessible, 1.5-mile trail.
- Dillon Falls
Bobbushphoto/iStock via Getty Images Plus Standing 15 feet tall, Dillon Falls is small but mighty. It’s located just a stone’s throw from Benham Falls, and is accessible via a short-and-sweet trail from the eponymous Day Use Area. Dillon Falls, Oregon 97702, USA
- Steelhead Falls
Bobbushphoto/E+ Collection via Getty Images A one-mile (round trip) trail will take you to Steelhead Falls, a breathtaking beauty that plunges into a cerulean blue pool in the Deschutes River. In the spring, the wildflowers surrounding the falls are sublime; in the summer, people love going for a dip in this natural waterfall swimming pool! Northwest Steelhead Falls Drive, NW Steelhead Falls Dr, Oregon 97760, USA
Did you know there were so many waterfalls in the High Desert of Central Oregon? How wonderful!
Samson1976/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Located at the intriguing Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Paulina Falls is comprised of a duo of falls that cascade 80 feet down a rocky outcrop. It’s a stunning scene in a stunning place, and easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Oregon’s High Desert.
Paulina Creek Falls, Oregon 97739, USA
Bonnie Moreland/Flickr
Deschutes National Forest is a veritable waterfall treasure trove, and that’s where you’ll find a two-mile trail that leads to a double waterfall and a scenic overlook, not to mention one of the best-known falls in the state. Tumalo Falls is a gorgeous, 97-foot tall fall that pours into Tumalo Creek in a thunderous rush of water. It’s quite a spectacle to behold!
Tumalo Falls, Oregon 97703, USA
rsmseymour/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Speaking of the dazzling Deschutes, Benham Falls is another falls you’ll find along this iconic river. While more of a series of cascades than your standard waterfall, Benham Falls is nevertheless a stunning scene along an accessible, 1.5-mile trail.
Bobbushphoto/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Standing 15 feet tall, Dillon Falls is small but mighty. It’s located just a stone’s throw from Benham Falls, and is accessible via a short-and-sweet trail from the eponymous Day Use Area.
Dillon Falls, Oregon 97702, USA
Bobbushphoto/E+ Collection via Getty Images
A one-mile (round trip) trail will take you to Steelhead Falls, a breathtaking beauty that plunges into a cerulean blue pool in the Deschutes River. In the spring, the wildflowers surrounding the falls are sublime; in the summer, people love going for a dip in this natural waterfall swimming pool!
Northwest Steelhead Falls Drive, NW Steelhead Falls Dr, Oregon 97760, USA
Learn more about this resplendent region, and its new food trail, in this article.
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