Take A Scenic Drive On Oregon’s One And Only Highway Of Waterfalls For An Unforgettable Adventure
Tessa Metcalf
Author
There’s nothing like taking a long, scenic drive through Oregon’s magnificent scenery or past some of Oregon’s most beautiful waterfalls. But when it comes to exploring our state’s most spectacular cascades without the grueling hikes, one special area is (literally) overflowing with falls. Lovingly called the Highway of Waterfalls, Highway 138 is a gorgeous road that winds alongside the North Umpqua River past tons of amazing waterfalls, hiking trails, campgrounds, and more. A scenic drive on this beautiful highway will lead you on an unforgettable Oregon adventure. Check it out:
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Have you ever driven Highway 138 or the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway? What a marvelous and scenic road trip in Oregon! Tell us about your experience traversing these best driving roads in Oregon in the comments below.
Are you a helpless waterfall chaser like us, who’s always looking for the prettiest hidden waterfalls in Oregon? You’re in luck! Find even more beautiful waterfalls to visit in Oregon this season, and don’t forget to pack some road trip snacks to enjoy along the way. Which waterfall in Oregon is your favorite?
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Highway of Waterfalls & Related Info
Are there any waterfall day trips in Oregon?
If you enjoyed the above excursion along Oregon's Highway of Waterfalls, you'll definitely want to check out this epic waterfall road trip. Oregon is full of majestic waterfalls just waiting to be discovered. We’ve mapped out a scenic road trip that visits some of the best Oregon waterfalls, including:
- Multnomah Falls
- Salt Creek Falls
- Ramona Falls
From hidden forest cascades to roaring natural wonders, these majestic waterfalls will make you fall head-over-heels for Oregon. For a waterfall day trip in and of itself, you must check out Multnomah Falls. Some interesting facts and experiences you'll have are:
- It's Oregon's tallest waterfall and the second tallest in the country.
- A true natural wonder: a 620-foot-tall, roaring, awe-inspiring, cascade of icy water.
- You can hike all the way to the top, or you can simply explore the area and get an up-close view of the falls from the charming pedestrian bridge.
- There's also a lodge at the bottom where you can grab a coffee, a bite to eat, or a souvenir, making it an amazing waterfall day trip in Oregon!
The Columbia River Gorge in general is an amazing place to go waterfall chasing, offering adventure seekers some 90 falls to explore on the Oregon side of this natural wonder!
Some of our other favorites (in addition to Multnomah) include:
- Latourell Falls, 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, making for a marvelous and charming afternoon adventure. You'll find the trailhead just off the Historic Columbia River Highway.
- And beautiful Bridal Veil Falls is the perfect destination for beginner waterfall chasers; the hike to this falls is just a half-mile long and is well-paved and easy to navigate. The falls themselves are nothing short of fantastic: there are two drops, and the entire waterfall is about 118 feet. While Bridal Veil isn't the tallest in the Gorge, we think the payoff for such a short waterfall hike is pretty extraordinary!