The 13 Best Waterfalls Near Bend, Oregon

With the Columbia River Gorge, coastal region, and diverse landscape, there are hundreds of stunning waterfalls in Oregon that will absolutely blow your mind–especially near Bend, Oregon!

Each Oregon waterfall has its own special qualities that make them unique (including some you can walk behind!), making each visit to waterfalls near Bend worth the trip.

While on your next road trip in Oregon or visit to Bend, Oregon, check out the best waterfalls near Bend, Oregon from this list!

The Best Waterfalls Near Bend, Oregon

Tumalo Falls Sunrise Bend Oregon The Mandagies

1. Tumalo Falls

Waterfall Height: 97 feet
Type of Falls: Plunge, block
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? No. But $5 parking via kiosk

Tumalo Falls is easily one of the most popular waterfalls in Bend, Oregon. The falls are located just a short drive from downtown Bend and offer breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains.

Tumalo Falls is a great place to hike, picnic, or just enjoy the scenery. The falls are open year-round (keep reading for winter directions) and are especially beautiful during golden hour (which is the hour right after sunrise, and right before sunset).

During the winter time, the main gate is closed to the main parking lot. Park at the Skyliner Sno-Park (no parking permit needed!) and prepare to hike 6.5 miles total on the moderately challenging Tumalo Falls via Tumalo Creek Trail.

Berty Mandagie standing near Dillon Falls near Bend, Oregon

2. Dillon Falls

Waterfall Height: 15 feet
Type of Falls: Cascade, rapids
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Drive-up
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? Yes – Northwest Forest Pass (or $5 day-use fee)

Dillon Falls is one of the best waterfalls near Bend, OR. It offers easy access to the Deschutes River (public boat ramp), there is tons of wildlife in the area, and the Dillon Falls Day Use Area is the perfect spot for a summer picnic with epic waterfall views!

Dillon Falls is just 20 minutes from downtown Bend. After driving 8 miles on the highway, drive 2.6 miles south on Forest Road 41 and follow the signs to the Dillon Falls Day Use Area.

From the Dillon Falls Day Use Area, you can also hike the easy Deschutes River Trail for 6.8 miles round trip from Dillon Falls to Benham Falls!

Benham Falls - Waterfalls near Bend, Oregon

Berty Mandagie photographing waterfalls near Bend, Oregon (Benham Falls)

3. Benham Falls

Waterfall Height: Stretches across one third of a mile; highest falls is 15 feet
Type of Falls: Cascade, rapids
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? Yes – Northwest Forest Pass (or $5 day-use fee)

Found along the Deschutes River, the rapids of Benham Falls flow between Sunriver and Bend. This makes it one of the best Bend, Oregon waterfalls as you can visit both wonderful cities after visiting the falls!

When the nearby Lava Butte erupted 6,000 years ago, the lava flow created a dam on the Deschutes River and Lake Benham. This eventually drained completely when the Deschutes River flowed over the Dam.

This flow is now known as Benham Falls!

You can access Benham Falls from the Deschutes River Trail for an easy day hike (trailhead at the Dillon Falls Day Use Area), from the Benham Falls West Day Use Area and trailhead for a quick 50-yard hike down to a viewing platform over the falls, or from the Benham Falls East Day Use Area and trailhead.

Because the rapids of Benham Falls stretch across one third of a mile, this area of the Upper Deschutes is perfect for advanced whitewater rafting (pitch of 22.5°, Class 5 for watercraft) and hiking to the nearby Lava Island Falls.

Bend Oregon Summer Activities - Chush Falls

4. Chush Falls and Upper Chush Falls

Waterfall Height: 67 feet (Chush Falls); 200 feet (Upper Chush Falls)
Type of Falls: Fan (Chush Falls); Horsetail (Upper Chush Falls)
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: No
Permit Required? Free, self-issue day-use Wilderness Permit (available at the trailhead)

Found in the Three Sisters Wilderness, Chush Falls is one of the coolest Bend waterfalls that is definitely worth the one-hour drive from the city!

To reach Chush Falls, you’ll take the moderate Upper Chush Falls via Whychus Creek Falls Trail for 5.8 miles round trip with 800 feet elevation gain.

You can also reach the Cascades and the site of another falls from this trail. Just continue past the overlook for Chush Falls for another half mile by following the creek to the falls (unmarked trail).

What makes the hike to Chush Falls unique is the history of forest fires and bare trees in the Willamette National Forests, making the place feel both spooky and enchanting.

Want to stay longer in this area around Bend? Visit the nearby city of Sisters, Oregon and book an overnight stay at the FivePine Lodge.

Emily Mandagie standing next to Steelhead Falls in Bend Oregon

5. Steelhead Falls

Waterfall Height: 20 feet
Type of Falls: Segmented, tiered
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? No

If you’re searching for waterfalls in Bend that are easy to get to (0.5 mile hike!) and rewarding, check out Steelhead Falls!

Just 45 minutes north of Bend, Steelhead Falls features a 20-foot drop, stunning wildflowers in the spring, and beautiful views of the surrounding canyon in the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area.

The area around Steelhead Falls is perfect for swimming from the nearby sandy beach, picnicking, camping, fishing, and cliff jumping (stay safe and jump at your own risk!).

Once abundant in steelhead (the waterfall’s namesake!), you’ll find the remains of an old fish ladder that the steelhead used to navigate the falls.

Nowadays, while steelhead are blocked by dams downstream, the river surrounding steelhead falls is known for its rainbow and brown trout.

Paulina Creek Falls near Paulina Lake Oregon

6. Paulina Creek Falls

Waterfall Height: 80 feet
Type of Falls: Block, tiered
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? Yes – Northwest Forest Pass (or $5 day-use fee)

Near Paulina Lake and Paulina Peak, Paulina Creek Falls is one of the best waterfalls around Bend, Oregon that is chock-full of opportunities for outdoor adventures.

You can reach the double falls of Paulina Creek Falls from the Paulina Creek Falls Trail (moderate 5.4 miles round trip with 767’ elevation gain).

While at the Paulina Falls Day Use Area, be sure to pack a picnic, explore the greater Newberry Caldera, and hike among the thick conifers of the Deschutes National Forest.

Up for a challenge? Hike the Paulina Peak Trail for stunning views of Newberry National Volcanic Monument Area and the Cascade Mountains.

Sahalie Falls Waterfall near Bend Oregon

7. Sahalie Falls

Waterfall Height: 100 feet
Type of Falls: Plunge, segmented
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? No

Sahalie and Koosah Falls are a dynamic duo waterfall that you won’t want to miss on your next trip to Bend!

These waterfalls are located along the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail, but are primarily accessed from the Waterfalls Loop Trail (easy, 2.6 miles), which will take you through two viewpoints of the beautiful falls before rejoining with the McKenzie River Trail.

While in the area, consider driving along the McKenzie Pass National Scenic Byway in the Willamette National Forest.

8. Koosah Falls

Waterfall Height: 70 feet
Type of Falls: Plunge, segmented
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? No

Like Sahalie Falls, Koosah Falls can be reached from the Waterfalls Loop Trail (easy, 2.6 miles) in the Willamette National Forest.

While hiking around Koosah Falls, you’ll get close-up views of the McKenzie River, Sahalie Falls and other waterfalls in between. You’ll also see signs of thick lava flows that once dammed the nearby Clear Lake over 3,000 years ago and created the bench over which Koosah Falls cascades.

This two-in-one experience makes Sahalie and Koosah Falls some of the best waterfalls close to Bend, Oregon!

9. Proxy Falls

Waterfall Height: 226 feet
Type of Falls: Fan, tiered
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? Yes – Northwest Forest Pass (or $5 day-use fee)

Being one of the most photographed waterfalls in Oregon, the tiered Proxy Falls is a stunner and very popular for its accessibility and beauty!

What makes Proxy Falls particularly unique is that it doesn’t cascade into a pool of water; rather, the falls sink into porous lava rocks and into the ground below!

To reach Proxy Falls, you’ll hike a moderately challenging 1.6 miles round trip on the Proxy Falls Loop Trail in the Willamette National Forest. There will be a junction in the trail, which leads to both Upper Proxy Falls and Lower Proxy Falls–both are worth the hike!

Because of its popularity, be sure to get there early in the day, as the parking lot fills up fast!

Marion Falls in the Jefferson Wilderness Area

10. Marion Falls

Waterfall Height: Unknown
Type of Falls: Plunge, block
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? Yes

The breathtaking views of Marion Falls and Gatch Falls (and the hike to see them!) makes them some of the best waterfalls near Bend, Oregon.

These two waterfalls can be reached on the Marion Falls and Gatch Falls Trail, which is a moderately challenging 4.1 out-and-back hike with 849 feet elevation gain in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.

Be sure to follow the All Trails app or our guide when hiking in this area, as it’s easy to lose the trail!

Up for a longer stay? Backpack into Lake Ann, which isn’t too far from Marion and Gatch Falls!

11. Gatch Falls

Waterfall Height: Unknown
Type of Falls: Block, tiered
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? Yes

Just downstream of Marion Falls, Gatch Falls is a jaw-dropping waterfall that you won’t want to miss!

Located in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, you can hike to Gatch Falls on the Marion Falls and Gatch Falls Trail.

Follow our complete guide about both Marion and Gatch Falls for a full outdoor adventure!

After your big adventure exploring Marion and Gatch Falls, grab a bite to eat and a beer at any of Bend’s amazing local breweries, get a sweet treat at Goody’s Chocolate and Ice Cream, or explore more of the unique city.

12. Salt Creek Falls

Waterfall Height: 286 feet
Type of Falls: Plunge
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Both
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? Yes – Day Use Fee Area ($5 a vehicle) or Recreation Pass

Salt Creek Falls is the second-tallest single drop waterfall in Oregon, making it one of the coolest waterfalls near Bend, Oregon!

This waterfall is accessible for all adventurers. There’s the Salt Creek Falls Observation Site and Picnic Area, which has interpretive exhibits and views of the falls, but there’s also a spur trail to the right of the viewing platform that you can hike to the base of the falls.

If you want to continue hiking past Salt Creek Falls, take the bridge from the picnic area to the Diamond Creek Falls Loop Trail (easy 4.0 miles) and follow the trail around the rims of Salt Creek and Diamond Creek Canyons.

The best time to visit Salt Creek Falls and this general area is April through August, and make sure you park at the Salt Creek Sno Park for easy access to both Salt Creek Falls and Diamond Creek Falls.

13. Diamond Creek Falls

Waterfall Height: 90 feet
Type of Falls: Fan, tiered, cascade
Drive-Up or Hike-In: Hike-in
Bathrooms On-Site: Yes
Permit Required? Yes – Day Use Fee Area ($5 a vehicle) or Recreation Pass

After visiting Salt Creek Falls, take the Diamond Creek Falls Loop Trail (an easy 4.0-mile hike with 784 feet elevation gain) to Diamond Creek Falls–one of the coolest waterfalls near Bend, Oregon!

While on this hike, you’ll get beautiful views of the Salt Creek and Diamond Creek Canyons, cross a few waterways, and get to enjoy the scenery year-round.

When visiting Diamond Creek Falls and Salt Creek Falls, park at the Salt Creek Sno Park.

14. Other Waterfalls Near Bend Oregon

We’re constantly adding to this list, so come back often for more updated information! Next on our list is The Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint Area, Linton Fall, and Kaluwas Falls. Every time we come back to visit Bend, we’ll be adding to this list!