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:

Known as the Highway of Waterfalls, the scenic Highway 138 weaves through south-central Oregon along the North Umpqua River.
flickr/ Oregon Department of Transportation
It's without a doubt one of the most spectacular drives you can take in the state.
Between Roseburg and Diamond Lake, this beautiful section of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway passes numerous waterfalls, campgrounds, and hiking trails.
flickr/ afletch4141
Along this Highway of Waterfalls in Oregon route, you'll have access to Whitehorse Falls, Toketee Falls, Watson Falls, Clearwater Falls, Susan Creek Falls, Fall Creek Falls, and more. It's one of the most scenic drives in Oregon.
As you cruise along the road, keep an eye out for trailheads and waterfall parking lots where you can pull over and explore at your own pace.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
One of the most amazing waterfalls you'll find along the route is Toketee Falls, which cascades 120 feet into a gorgeous blue basin. A short, easy walk leads to a viewing platform overlooking the falls.
Chris Van Loan Photo/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
You can also make a stop at the 272-foot Watson Falls, just a couple of miles down the road.
estivillml/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Another great hidden gem is Susan Creek Falls, a magical cascade located at the end of an easy 0.75-mile walk.
flickr/ Bonnie Moreland
Heading east along the waterfall highway, you'll eventually reach Diamond Lake, a stunning alpine lake offering amazing views of Mt. Theilson and Mt. Bailey. It's a wonderful place for swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, or just relaxing on the shore.
If you'd like, you can extend your excursion to include the legendary Crater Lake. This stunning mountaintop lake is the deepest in the country, and it's easily one of Oregon's most breathtaking natural wonders.
Nicholas Sollogub / 500px via Getty Images
Want to spread the trip out over a couple of days? There are numerous camping spots along the route, including the Clearwater Falls Campground which offers easy access to the lovely spring-fed waterfall it's named after, and the four campgrounds at Diamond Lake.
flickr/ Bo Nielsen
When you're feeling adventurous, a scenic drive to see these beautiful waterfalls in Oregon is perfect for an unforgettable day trip or weekend getaway.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
Every season has something new and magnificent to display! Be sure to bring a camera along!

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?

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

Highway of Waterfalls & Related Info

Sarah M. | April 04, 2022

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!

Related Articles

Explore Oregon

Featured Addresses
Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, Roseburg, OR, USA
Oregon 138, OR-138, Roseburg, OR, USA