Waterfalls Near Bend, Oregon: 13 Must-See Falls
As one of the best places for hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, and exploring in the entire state, it’s no doubt that there are many waterfalls near Bend, Oregon.
Whether they’re huge, multi-tiered falls or small, cascading river falls, each is beautiful in its own way and worth the visit.
Some much be hiked to, while others are just a short jaunt from the parking lot!
In this post, I’ll let you in on some of the best Central Oregon waterfalls to hike to (or not hike to!).
Best Waterfalls Near Bend, Oregon
All of these waterfalls are within 2 hours of Bend and are the perfect way to spend a day exploring central Oregon.
Each varies in distance, type of falls, and difficulty, so be sure to read the hike stats that I’ve listed!
1. Tumalo Falls
Length: 0.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 0 feet
Distance from Bend: 20 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
As one of the easiest waterfall hikes (can we even call it a hike?!) ever and probably the most popular near Bend, how could I not start with Tumalo Falls?
This absolutely beautiful falls drops almost 100 feet over rocky cliffs and can be seen within steps from your car door.
It’s the perfect waterfall for those wanting to experience the beauty of Oregon but aren’t able to or would prefer not to hike.
Surrounding the falls are tall, green trees that create a great contrast amongst the blue water.
If you are up for a bit more hiking, you can always jump on the trail and hike to the upper viewpoint of Tumalo Falls, right near where the water drops.
Or, continue on the trail and head towards Double Falls, which is just a bit further up Tumalo Creek.
If you’re visiting in the winter, prepare for the entry road to be closed, meaning that you will need to make the 6-mile round trip to the waterfall from the gate.
Nearby, there is plenty more to do in the Three Sisters Wilderness.
2. Steelhead Falls
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 250 feet
Distance from Bend: 46 minutes
Pass Required: None
Steelhead Falls is a smaller Oregon waterfall that is found right in the desert, making it feel extremely out of place.
The hike to the falls is fairly easy, although there are certain spots where there are loose sand and rocks.
When I visited, there were many families with kids on the trail, so I would definitely say that it’s a good family-friendly hike.
The entire hike follows the Deschutes River, which definitely breaks up that desert feel of the area.
If you’re just wanting to reach Steelhead Falls, it’s located just about 0.5 miles up the trail, so you can actually turn this into a 1-mile hike if you don’t want to go any further.
If you do further, it leads you to a calmer section in the river where you have the chance to see wildlife such as herons and beavers.
3. Koosah Falls
Length: 0.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 10 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Koosah Falls is a unique waterfall because it’s able to be paired with another beautiful fall, just down the river.
This is another one where you can simply park in the lot and walk a few steps to get epic views, but you can hike more if you choose.
There is a set of steps to get down to the main viewpoint, but it’s nothing that you’ll lose your breath over.
Koosah Falls is a massive waterfall with roaring water, dropping over 60 feet into the McKenzie River.
If you want to see another great waterfall on the same trip, take a 1-mile roundtrip hike to Sahalie Falls down a fairly flat trail.
Even the views between the two falls are phenomenal, as you’ll get to watch as the strong currents rush their way from the bottom of one to the top of the other.
I personally prefer Koosah Falls over Sahalie because it feels more secluded as there are typically fewer people.
4. Sahalie Falls
Length: 0.15 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 20 feet
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 10 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Here’s the ‘sister waterfall’ to Koosah Falls, the marvelous and ever taller, Sahalie Falls.
Still flowing from the McKenzie River, Sahalie Falls is found just upstream about 0.5 miles and has a single drop of almost 75 feet.
There is a pretty large viewing platform for this waterfall, meaning that there are usually plenty of people present.
It’s also, like many others on this list, just a few steps from the parking lot, and you’ll probably hear it from your car!
If you want to escape the crowds, head up to the upper viewpoint which gives a different advantage of the roaring waterfall.
Another way to avoid crowds is by visiting and doing the hike on a rainy day, because less people will be here then.
From here, you can choose to continue upstream and cross the river to make a loop down to Koosah Falls and back, or just turn around back to the main viewpoint.
I definitely would recommend hitting Koosah and Sahalie Falls early in the day, as the parking lots are very small and fill up quickly.
5. Proxy Falls
Length: 1.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 150 feet
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 25 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Proxy Falls is unique to many of the other waterfalls in Central Oregon being that it flows down a mossy wall, rather than free falling.
But this perfectly encompasses all that the Pacific Northwest is because it’s filled with temperate rainforests, moss, and waterfalls.
The hike to Proxy Falls is pretty short and has minimal elevation gain, so it’s on the easier side of moderate.
Although there are a few downed trees that you may need to step over along the way.
The trail is a loop and offers the chance to see both upper Proxy Falls and lower Proxy Falls.
Proxy Falls definitely is a lot taller than it looks in photos, measuring almost 230 feet between the two tiers.
The road to the waterfall closes in the winter, so it’s unfortunately inaccessible during this time. 😟
6. Paulina Creek Falls
Length: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Distance from Bend: 45 minutes
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Located in Newberry Volcanic National Monument is Paulina Creek Falls, a 60-foot waterfall dropping over a rock face and spilling into Paulina Creek.
Known as the largest volcano in Oregon, the NVNM is surely a site to see, with many of Central Oregon’s best hikes within it.
And this waterfall is no exception, being formed from some of the volcanic activity that has taken place over the past thousands of years.
There are two viewpoints to see Paulina Creek Falls, one upper and one lower.
The upper viewing platform is much busier, as it’s easier to get to and looks out across the top of the falls.
Just down the trail a bit, you can view the waterfall from straight on, at the bottom of the falls. From here, it looks much smaller.
The entire area around Newberry Volcanic National Monument can close down in the winter months, so check the status online.
7. Watson Falls
Length: 1 mile
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 550 feet
Distance from Bend: 2 hours
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
If you have the ability to drive a bit further to see some great waterfalls, then I highly recommend making a trip to Watson Falls.
This highly impressive waterfall is known as the third highest in all of Oregon, measuring a height of 272 feet tall.
It drops over extremely tall basalt lava cliffs before falling into Watson Creek below.
On your way to the main viewpoint, stop on the wooden bridge and look up at the huge falls before you, as this is one of the best views of the entire thing!
After you’ve made it to the viewpoint, you’ll look up and won’t even believe how big Watson Falls truly is.
Its powerful force will mist water onto your face, cooling you down after the uphill hike to the top.
If you have some extra time, pair Watson Falls with a trip to Toketee Falls (see below!) for the perfect tour of waterfalls near Bend, Oregon.
8. Marion Falls
Length: 4.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Looking for a beautiful Central Oregon waterfall that you can have to yourself without the worry of other people surrounding you?
Head to Marion Falls in Willamette National Forest, just 1.5 hours from Bend.
Walk along a dirt trail through the forest until you reach Lake Ann, and enjoy the views around you before continuing on.
You’ll eventually come to a break in the trail, where you’ll stay right towards the falls.
Marion Falls is a tall and powerful waterfall with two tiers, making it almost look like a double waterfall.
If you want another great viewpoint, head back for just a short while on the trail and then jump back onto the Marion Lake Trail.
You’ll soon reach Marion Lake, surrounded by huge trees and a beautiful mountain landscape.
9. Toketee Falls
Length: 0.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Distance from Bend: 2 hours
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Perhaps one of the most popular waterfalls in Central Oregon, Toketee Falls is popular for a reason and is worthy of a visit.
After you’ve traveled up and down what seems like a thousand stairs, you’ll finally reach the upper viewpoint.
(While All Trails rates this trail as easy, I’m giving it a moderate rating simply for the stairs! Phew!)
From here, you can look down onto Toketee Falls dropping into a teal-colored pool, over basalt cliffs.
It has to be one of the most beautiful sites, between the color of the water, the mossy cliffs, and the two-tiered falls.
If you’d like a better view, take the difficult trail down to the shore of the North Umpqua River.
Now, when I say that it’s difficult, I truly mean that. Loose rock, tree roots, slippery sand, you name it. PLEASE use caution.
And as I mentioned above, since Toketee Falls is pretty far from Bend, make a day of it with Watson Falls for two epic falls.
10. Benham Falls
Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 40 feet
Distance from Bend: 30 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Benham Falls is definitley quite a bit different from the waterfalls that you’re used to seeing in the great Pacific Northwest.
This cascading waterfall flows down the Deschutes River and just makes small, subtle drops as it goes.
The walk to the waterfall is very easy, as the Deschutes River Trail just winds alongside the river, hence the name.
So if you’re searching for a nice family-friendly trail to bring those kiddos on, then this is the one for you!
Along the River Trail, you’ll also find other waterfalls such as Dillon Falls and Lava Island Falls, although to connect the three, it’ll be closer to a 14 mile hike.
However, this long 14-mile hike could be a great way to spend the day outside in nature, because it is a nice, easy, flat trail.
11. Salt Creek Falls
Length: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 230 feet
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
At 286 feet tall, Salt Creek Falls is Oregon’s highest single-drop waterfall, second to Multnomah Falls near Portland.
It’s definitely a must-see if you’re visiting Central Oregon, as its beauty definitely shows why it’s so popular.
There are a few ways to see the falls, one from the top, and one from a viewing platform in about the middle of the falls.
To reach the top viewing spot, you really won’t need to walk very far, as it’s probably only a couple hundred feet from the parking lot.
This overlook is also wheelchair accessible.
If you’d rather get a different perspective, follow the stairs that will lead you to the platform across the way.
You’ll make quite the descent until you reach a small spot with a pretty epic view of Salt Creek Falls. It’s worth the trek down if you ask me!
The short road into the parking lot closes in the winter, so you’ll need to park at the sno-park and walk in, but be prepared, it’s through deep snow (speaking from experience…)!
12. Chush Falls
Length: 5.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Distance from Bend: 55 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
A nice hike along the Wychus Creek leads you to his local favorite waterfall near Sisters and Bend.
Chush Falls is loved by everyone that visits it, as you’re treated with not only a waterfall, but also beautiful mountain views.
The falls is located right at the base of the Three Sisters Mountain range, so you’ll have epic views of them and Broken Top.
Unfortunately, you will see the burn scars from the Pole Creek Fire that tore through the area back in 2012.
But it’s interesting to see, and does give you a feel for what Oregon sadly experiences each fire season.
13. Diamond Creek Falls
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 780 feet
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 20 minutes
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
If you’re all about getting the most out of your hikes, then I’ve got good news for you!
This short and easy hike begins at the Salt Creek Falls parking area and leads you past the falls before looping towards Diamond Creek Falls.
This beautiful waterfall cascades over a mossy wall in the forest.
Along the way to the falls, you’ll have gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and rolling hills.
It’s also less busy than Salt Creek Falls because it requires a hike, rather than just a quick walk from the car.
So if you want a beautiful waterfall and no crowds, this is the perfect one for you!
Map of Waterfalls in Central Oregon
Best Time to Visit Bend, OR
Bend is a beautiful city during any time of the year, but there is definitely a better time to visit if you’re going to be on a hiking trail.
During the winter, many trails are closed down due to snow and it’ll be required to hike in from the road, which can add quite a bit of time.
If you’re looking for the prime time to visit Bend, plan a trip in the summer months, from late June to early September.
Snow can even linger into June, so I’d recommend even waiting until July and then running to Bend to see these epic waterfalls!
And if you’re looking to check out a pretty epic sunrise, you can do that many times during the year in Oregon.
Tips for Hiking in Oregon
Where to Stay in Bend
You’ll of course need somewhere to stay to rest your head at the end of a long day adventuring around Bend.
Here are some of the best hotels to book for your Central Oregon visit.
Campfire Hotel: A beautiful hotel with rooms decorated like the true PNW. Enjoy the outdoor pool and firepit to relax at the end of the day.
Cascade Lodge: Relax indoors or in the heated outdoor pool at the Cascade Lodge. Located right in Bend, offering easy access to the best of Oregon.
Beautiful Bend Cottage: An adorable home within walking distance of downtown, a private hot tub, and plenty of outdoor space.
Wrap-Up: Waterfalls Near Bend, OR
There are so many epic adventures to take place in when you’re on a visit to Bend.
If you’re looking for epic waterfalls that will surely cure that adventure and travel bug that you have, I’ve got you covered.
Use this list of awesome waterfalls near Bend, Oregon to plan your next visit.
