Seeing a waterfall from a distance is a wonderful experience, but have you ever wanted to actually walk behind a waterfall? That’s something that belongs on every Oregon waterfall chaser’s bucket list! And of course, it’s something you can do in Oregon. Ponytail Falls is a stunning waterfall nestled into the Columbia River Gorge with a trail that actually winds behind it, giving visitors a unique view and an unforgettable experience. So before you search for “walk-behind waterfalls near me in Oregon,” head to Columbia River Gorge where this incredible cascade awaits.
Located in the Columbia River Gorge, Ponytail Falls (also known as “Upper Horsetail Falls”) is a magical waterfall with a trail circling behind it to give you a one-of-a-kind experience.
flickr/ Charles Knowles
Standing directly behind the majestic 75-foot waterfall as it pours gracefully into the creek is positively enchanting.
flickr/ Michael Matti
The trail begins at the Horsetail Falls Trailhead, located just off the Historic Columbia River Highway.
flickr/ Scott McCracken
A short, easy trail will lead you up through the trees and straight to the spectacular Ponytail Falls.
flickr/ Kirt Edblom
After less than half a mile, the trail opens up onto a beautiful little clearing where the waterfall cascades serenely into a creek, which in turn feeds into Horsetail Falls down below.
flickr/ Michael Matti
The trail continues on, circling completely behind the falls through a natural cavern in the rock wall. You can continue along this trail to take a lovely 2.6-mile loop hike, or simply spend some time soaking in the sights, returning the you came.
flickr/ Kirt Edblom
You’ll find Horsetail Falls (and the Horsetail Falls Trailhead) right off the Columbia River Highway, 5.6 miles east of the I-84 Bridal Veil exit.
flickr/ David Lewis
Visit the USDA Forest Services website to stay up-to-date on trail information and any closures that could affect this hike.
flickr/ Charles Knowles
flickr/ Michael Matti
flickr/ Scott McCracken
flickr/ Kirt Edblom
flickr/ David Lewis
Still wondering about “waterfalls near me in Oregon?” We thought you might be. Click over to this ultimate list to learn about some of the very best falls in the Beaver State!
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Address: Horsetail Falls, Oregon, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
waterfalls near me in Oregon August 09, 2021 Sarah What are some other walk-behind waterfalls in Oregon? Walking behind a waterfall curtain really is a bucket list must for outdoor enthusiasts. In Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls goes right underneath the 170-foot-tall South Falls and takes you underneath three other waterfalls as well, including Lower South, North, and Middle North falls. This is as close to nature as it gets; you’ll definitely get wet when walking underneath at least two of these falls! What’s the best waterfall trail in Oregon? With over 230 waterfalls in the state, pretty much any Oregon hike runs into a waterfall or two! (Okay – maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it’s not far from the truth!) Here are some of the best waterfall hikes in the Beaver State; popular hikes on the list include Ice Lake Trail, Latourell Falls Trail, and the Hemlock Falls Trail. Hands down, however, the best waterfall trail in Oregon is the Trail of Ten Falls Loop at Silver Falls State Park. As its name suggests, along this gorgeous trail you will see not one, not two, but 10 waterfalls… all within a seven-mile-long loop! Highlights include the iconic,177-foot South Falls; Middle North Falls, a 106-foot stunner; and North Falls, which plunges 136 feet over a basalt cliff. Ten waterfalls in one hike? Only in Oregon! How many waterfalls are there in Oregon? Oregon is home to some truly extraordinary waterfalls, and you’ve likely come across many while on the trails or at a state park. But there are so many more waterfalls in Oregon than what you’ve seen; they’re hidden at parks and beaches all across the state! There are over 230 known waterfalls in Oregon, plus hundreds of other seasonal falls or hidden cascades. The Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge alone is home to 90 alone! So if you’re ever wondering, “Are there many waterfalls near me in Oregon?” – the answer is a resounding “Yes!”
The OIYS Visitor Center
waterfalls near me in Oregon
August 09, 2021
Sarah
What are some other walk-behind waterfalls in Oregon? Walking behind a waterfall curtain really is a bucket list must for outdoor enthusiasts. In Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls goes right underneath the 170-foot-tall South Falls and takes you underneath three other waterfalls as well, including Lower South, North, and Middle North falls. This is as close to nature as it gets; you’ll definitely get wet when walking underneath at least two of these falls! What’s the best waterfall trail in Oregon? With over 230 waterfalls in the state, pretty much any Oregon hike runs into a waterfall or two! (Okay – maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it’s not far from the truth!) Here are some of the best waterfall hikes in the Beaver State; popular hikes on the list include Ice Lake Trail, Latourell Falls Trail, and the Hemlock Falls Trail. Hands down, however, the best waterfall trail in Oregon is the Trail of Ten Falls Loop at Silver Falls State Park. As its name suggests, along this gorgeous trail you will see not one, not two, but 10 waterfalls… all within a seven-mile-long loop! Highlights include the iconic,177-foot South Falls; Middle North Falls, a 106-foot stunner; and North Falls, which plunges 136 feet over a basalt cliff. Ten waterfalls in one hike? Only in Oregon! How many waterfalls are there in Oregon? Oregon is home to some truly extraordinary waterfalls, and you’ve likely come across many while on the trails or at a state park. But there are so many more waterfalls in Oregon than what you’ve seen; they’re hidden at parks and beaches all across the state! There are over 230 known waterfalls in Oregon, plus hundreds of other seasonal falls or hidden cascades. The Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge alone is home to 90 alone! So if you’re ever wondering, “Are there many waterfalls near me in Oregon?” – the answer is a resounding “Yes!”
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Walking behind a waterfall curtain really is a bucket list must for outdoor enthusiasts. In Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls goes right underneath the 170-foot-tall South Falls and takes you underneath three other waterfalls as well, including Lower South, North, and Middle North falls. This is as close to nature as it gets; you’ll definitely get wet when walking underneath at least two of these falls!
What’s the best waterfall trail in Oregon?
With over 230 waterfalls in the state, pretty much any Oregon hike runs into a waterfall or two! (Okay – maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it’s not far from the truth!) Here are some of the best waterfall hikes in the Beaver State; popular hikes on the list include Ice Lake Trail, Latourell Falls Trail, and the Hemlock Falls Trail. Hands down, however, the best waterfall trail in Oregon is the Trail of Ten Falls Loop at Silver Falls State Park. As its name suggests, along this gorgeous trail you will see not one, not two, but 10 waterfalls… all within a seven-mile-long loop! Highlights include the iconic,177-foot South Falls; Middle North Falls, a 106-foot stunner; and North Falls, which plunges 136 feet over a basalt cliff. Ten waterfalls in one hike? Only in Oregon!
How many waterfalls are there in Oregon?
Oregon is home to some truly extraordinary waterfalls, and you’ve likely come across many while on the trails or at a state park. But there are so many more waterfalls in Oregon than what you’ve seen; they’re hidden at parks and beaches all across the state! There are over 230 known waterfalls in Oregon, plus hundreds of other seasonal falls or hidden cascades. The Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge alone is home to 90 alone! So if you’re ever wondering, “Are there many waterfalls near me in Oregon?” – the answer is a resounding “Yes!”
