10 Stunning Dog Friendly Waterfalls in Oregon

If you’re anything like me, you love including your dog on your outdoor adventures. And there’s no better way to bond with your furry friend than exploring the stunning waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. Oregon is home to many beautiful falls. And the best part is, unlike many national parks that don’t allow dogs on trails, I was happy to find that many of these waterfalls welcome pups with open paws! We planned a whole Pacific Northwest road trip around these dog-friendly Oregon waterfalls. Exploring these easy hikes to stunning waterfalls every day with our dog was such a joy. Grab your dog’s favorite leash and check out these amazing dog-friendly waterfalls for yourself!

1. Tumalo Falls

Tumalo Falls is an impressive 97-foot waterfall located just outside Bend, Oregon. There are three waterfall viewpoints where you can view the waterfall from different perspectives. Lower falls viewpoint is just a short walk from the parking lot so it’s an easy hike with your pup. This is a great first waterfall because it’s a very low effort and high reward hike. The trail continues into a longer hike on the Tumalo Falls Loop trail after the last viewpoint.

Dogs on leash allowed at the viewpoints of the waterfall, but not in the Bend Watershed (which comprises the second half of the Tumalo Falls Loop trail). Just to be safe, we only visited the 3 waterfall viewpoints with our dog.

Parking tips: The parking lot is small and there is a $5 fee. There are self pay stations in the parking lot that accept credit cards.

2. Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls

Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls are two stunning waterfalls along the McKenzie River in Oregon. They are about a one hour drive from Bend. Of the two, Sahalie Falls is the more dramatic waterfall, thundering 100 feet into the rushing river. Koosah Falls is just downstream. Koosah Falls is a more serene waterfall, dropping into a pretty blue pool. Since the two waterfalls are connected by a pleasant, wooded hike that runs along the river, we visited both waterfalls to make the most of our time here. Dogs on leash are allowed on the waterfall viewpoints and the trail connecting the two waterfalls.

From the Sahalie Falls parking lot there is a paved path to the observation deck for Sahalie Falls. From the observation deck, we hiked 1 mile south along the McKenzie river to Koosah Falls. You can go on a 2.4 mile loop trail that takes you to the other side of the McKenzie river to return to Sahalie Falls, but we opted to just go back the way we came in the interest of time.

Parking tips: Both Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls have free parking lots. The parking lot at Koosah Falls is bigger and less frequented than Sahalie Falls because it is further down the road. We parked in the lot next to Sahalie Falls.

3. Tamolitch Blue Pool

Tamolitch Blue Pool is just a 5 minute drive from Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls, so it’s a must see when you’re in the area. This crystal-clear pool is the color of blue Gatorade and was well worth the 2 mile muddy hike in the rain with our white dog. This was probably the most strenuous hike we did on our trip because it was over rocky terrain, but may also have been because it was raining and muddy. I can imagine that the pool would be even more beautiful on a sunny day, with sunlight making the water shimmer and sparkle. Dogs on leash are allowed.

Parking tips: There is a free parking lot at the start of the trail to the Tamolitch Blue Pool.

4. Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is the most iconic waterfall in the Historic Columbia River Gorge located just outside Portland. This two-tiered waterfall plunges an impressive 620 feet and is the most well-known and accessible waterfall in this area. The best view of the waterfall is a large, round viewpoint within a very short walk from the parking lot. From there, a paved path leads past the footbridge midway up the waterfall, all the way up to a viewpoint at the top. This viewpoint overlooks the entire waterfall as it rushes down the cliff. Dogs on leash are allowed on the whole trail.

Parking tips: There is a small parking lot right next to the waterfall. If that is full, overflow parking is available in a parking lot across the highway. There is a walkway that connects the overflow parking to the waterfall. A timed use permit is required from late May to early September, which can be reserved here.

5. Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is another waterfall in the Historic Columbia River Gorge and is a 20 minute drive from Multnomah Falls. There is a 0.6 mile hike down to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls. This aptly named cascading waterfall resembles a bridal veil. The best view of the Bridal Veil Falls is located at a wooden viewpoint half a mile in. Scrambling up the rocks near the base of the falls is another place to appreciate the beauty of the falls. Dogs on leash are allowed.

Parking tips: There is a free parking lot at the start of the trail that leads down to Bridal Veil Falls.

6. Latourell Falls

Latourell Falls is our favorite waterfall in the Historic Columbia River Gorge, and possibly of our entire trip. It is just a 5 minute drive from Bridal Veil Falls. There is a viewing platform where you can view the top of the falls, but our favorite part of this waterfall was a flat trail just to the right of the viewing platform that led to the base of the falls. You can walk right up to the base of the falls and really feel fully enveloped by the power of the waterfall. If you want to see the falls from above, there is also a 2 mile Latourell Falls loop trail accessed from the viewing platform that will take you to the top of the upper falls. Dogs on leash are allowed.

Parking tips: There is a free parking lot right next to the viewing platform. From the parking lot, stairs lead up to the viewing platform. The trail to the base of the falls is just to the right of the stairs that lead up to the viewing platform.

7. Toketee Falls

Toketee Falls is located in Southern Oregon in the Umpqua National Forest, about a 2 hours drive from Eugene. This two tiered waterfall is surrounded by columnar basalt formations. This waterfall was actually the inspiration for our waterfall road trip after I came across an article that compared it to the stunning waterfalls in Iceland. The trail to Toketee Falls is a 0.4 mile down and back trail that includes over 200 steps so we felt the burn on the way back up. The trail ends at a viewing platform that overlooks the waterfall. Dogs on leash are allowed.

Parking tips: There is a free parking lot at the start of the trail leading down to the waterfall.

8. Watson Falls

Watson Falls is just down the road from Toketee Falls and well worth a stop because you can get closer to the base of this waterfall. The trail to Watson Falls is a 1 mile loop, and although it can get steep in certain spots it was one of the most enjoyable hikes on our trip because of the many smaller waterfalls along the hike. The entire trail was so scenic and photogenic that the hike to the waterfall alone would have made this stop worth it. Dogs on leash are allowed.

Parking tips: There is a free parking lot at the base of the trail that leads up to the waterfall. It is a little confusing because the parking lot is actually a little down the road and across the street from the trailhead. From the parking lot, walk uphill and cross the road to get to the trailhead. 

9. Whitehorse Falls

Whitehorse Falls is a 7 minute drive from Watson Falls, and it is an easy waterfall to visit while in the area. The waterfall itself is very accessible since it is just steps from the parking lot. If you have an acrobatic dog like ours then they might like balancing with you on those logs for the classic photo here. Dogs on leash are allowed.

Parking tips: There is a free parking lot just next to the waterfall.

10. Clearwater Falls

Clearwater Falls is a 9 minute drive from Whitehorse Falls, so it’s another easy stop. A short, easy trail leads to a viewing area where you can admire the wide waterfall bubbling over mossy rocks and logs. Dogs on leash are allowed.

Parking tips: There is a free parking lot off highway 138 near mile marker 69 (don’t follow google maps to forest road).

Follow our dog-friendly Pacific Northwest Road Trip itinerary or dog-friendly Oregon Waterfalls Road Trip itinerary to connect all of these waterfalls for yourself!