10 Beautiful Waterfalls on the Oregon Coast

By Chris Khatami

Oregon is famous for its incredible waterfalls. Millions of people travel through this state annually to experience these powerful cascades. There are massive plunging waterfalls, rapids to raft down, pools you can swim in, and countless places to take a pic. Oregon is also famous for its enchanting coastline. Visitors to the coast can experience vast sandy beaches, towering sea stacks, tidepools teeming with life, cute small towns, and even coastal waterfalls. While Oregon's most well-known waterfalls are inland, there are many on the coast that are more than worth the visit. Here you will find 10 waterfalls on the Oregon Coast that you need to explore!

10. Youngs River Falls

Just a bit south of Astoria you can find this sizable waterfall. During winter and spring the flow is immense, during fall the changing leaves around it are gorgeous, and during summer you can swim at the base. In theory you can swim their anytime you like but be warned, it's cold!

This waterfall is so beautiful it was a filming location for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III!

9. Bridge Creek Falls

This waterfall is incredibly convenient as it is right off the highway. Walk up a short set of stairs and you will be in front of this moderate waterfall. Bridge Creek feeds into the Wilson River, which is an excellent place to hang out and relax.

8. Short Beach Falls

The only manmade waterfall on this list. This waterfall comes from a small creek that winds down to the cement chute to a secluded beach. Short Beach is one of the coves on Cape Meares. It is made up of sizable rocks, so it is not a great spot to sunbathe, but is popular for rock hounding. Keep your eyes open for agates.

7. University Falls

Head into the Tillamook State Forest to find University Falls. The short hike to the waterfall is less than a mile but takes travelers through a gorgeous forest.

When hikers arrive, they will find a forested oasis that feels like magic.

6. Larson Creek Falls

On a secluded beach on Cape Meares you can find Larson Creek Falls. This waterfall is almost 100 ft tall. When the snow is melting and rain is pouring a massive amount of water flows onto Short Beach.

This waterfall is worth the journey in itself, but Cape Meares is full of other wonders to explore. You can spend a day visiting the lighthouse, beachcombing for agates, traveling through the tunnel on Tunnel Beach, admiring the mysterious Octopus Tree, and more.

5. Drift Creek Falls

40 minutes outside of Lincoln City adventures can find one of the most picturesque waterfalls on The Coast. There is a short and easy hike that will bring you to an excellent view. 100 feet above ground stands the Drift Creek Suspension Bridge. From those heights one can see the impressive flow of Drift Creek Falls. On the road to these falls there is also a charming covered bridge.

4. Munson Creek Falls

The tallest waterfall on the Oregon Coast is Munson Creek Falls. This 319 foot waterfall is just 10 miles south of Tillamook and very easy to access. A short hike along Munson Creek leads to the base of the falls. Explorers can't get much closer, but the scale is mesmerizing. After exploring this waterfall you can enjoy a meal at the Tillamook Creamery.

3. Hug Point Falls

South of Cannon Beach is one of the most unique falls on the coast. Hug Point Falls is a wide, squat waterfall pouring from a creek onto the beach. Access is easy, as it is right off the highway, although one could also hike all the way from Haystack Rock. The waterfall itself is special since it slides over sandstone right onto the beach. A very rare sight.

Next to the falls one can explore a collection of caves, one of which is quite sizable.

2. Golden and Silver Falls

45 minutes outside Coos Bay is Golden and Silver Falls State Park. Not to be confused with the much more famous Silver Falls State Park, this pair of waterfalls might be the most underrated pair of waterfalls in Oregon.

The drive out is bumpy, so plan accordingly, but once you're parked the falls are only two short hikes away. Both are towering, powerful, and beautiful. Since they are so far from Portland and not talked about much, there will most likely be few other people there.

1. Blumenthal Falls

One of the greatest joys of visiting waterfalls is exploring the surrounding area. Blumenthal Falls stands out because the beach it falls onto is one of the most enchanting in Oregon. Short Sands Beach has everything. It's in a secluded cove, so surfers love it. There are multiple tidepools full of critters, the sand is soft, the cliffs are sheer, and the walk to the beach guides hikers through a verdant old growth forest. The waterfall itself is lovely. One of the few that empties onto the beach. It pours down a cliff into tidepools. If you visit be prepared to spend a long time soaking in the natural beauty.

There are many more waterfalls around the coast but these are my first picks to visit. They are beautiful in every season and bring explorers to many cool areas. Remember to dress accordingly, prepare for rain and cold, and respect nature. It is also important to make sure you have the right parking pass (if needed).

Thank you for reading, and I hope this provides some valuable information. The Pacific Northwest has endless opportunities for adventure. Stay tuned for more suggestions here. Or maybe we will see each other at a waterfall.