Oregon's Best Waterfalls to Host Your Elopement or Wedding
Oregon is known for its stunning waterfalls, and we sure do have many, MANY epic waterfalls to visit. They are ALL beautiful and worth visiting, but not every waterfall is logistically feasible for a wedding day. For example, some waterfalls are viewable from a distance, without room to fit you AND the waterfall in the same photo. Others are too difficult to approach, surrounded by snags and brambles, or don’t have as many scenic areas surrounding them. Sadly, some that used to be wonderful spots have been burned in recent fires, devastating the scenery around them or making the land around them more susceptible to rock fall and slides. Therefore, this list is made of my top waterfall locations in Oregon that ALSO function well as backdrops for elopement ceremonies and wedding photos!
First, I also have a few general tips that are applicable for ALL waterfall experiences.
Waterfall Ceremony Tips
1- Waterfalls are wet!
It is both obvious and a point worth making! It’s possible to get married near a waterfall and not get wet at all, but a large amount of water falling from a great height creates a lot of force, which sends up gusts of spray that can get you wet pretty quickly!
And that’s not necessarily a bad thing- getting a bit wet briefly at the very end of the day is something worth considering! Picture this: After your dry vow exchange, you take 5 minutes to get close. Your hair is whipping around you as you embrace your partner and share a passionate kiss. If you are down to adventure, together we can put the “wild” in “wild earth weddings” and you will LOVE the result!
2- Waterfalls are usually cold!
On the tail of the advice in point number 1- it’s important to dress appropriately if you’re planning on hopping in a waterfall, even at the end of your elopement. (We’ll have this conversation in the planning process!)
Waterfalls at lower elevations will have warmer water, but waterfalls fed by higher elevation water sources will be quite cold! Visiting in the summer means this is refreshing and invigorating- but less so in winter!
3- The season REALLY matters!
In some states, waterfalls are seasonal and only show up after a heavy rain. This can lead people to think that the wettest months in the Pacific Northwest are the best months to go chasing waterfalls. However, we get so much rain that spring and autumn the waterfalls are TOO full for a good visit, and the mud on trails can be limiting. Summer, when the falls are more tame, is generally the best time to plan a waterfall elopement.
4- Waterfalls are loud!
Many couples envision exchanging vows standing underneath an epic waterfall, but you may not realize that standing next to a waterfall is pretty loud. If you have guests, they probably won’t be able to hear your vows. On the other hand, if it’s just the two of you, the rush of water will increase your sense of privacy.
All of these points are applicable to each waterfall on this list, but some more than others. Choosing an elopement photographer who is familiar with the specific waterfall you’d like to visit, or who can help you find the right one for your wedding, is key!
Latourell Falls
Difficult level: super easy
Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is just 30 minutes outside of Portland, and is one of the most dramatic and easily accessible waterfalls you’re going to find! That does mean you’re very likely to see a lot of other visitors, even on weekdays and early mornings. However, this waterfall is definitely a bucket list item! It’s perfect for epic photos, but you won’t get much privacy for vows. I love to add this waterfall on as a stop-over at the end of the day, and I always encourage eloping couples to consider approaching the waterfall for those jaw dropping images!
The power of the falls is immense, and just standing near the falls will quickly get you soaked!
Wahclella Falls
Difficulty level: easy
Wahclella Falls, also located in the Columbia River Gorge, is a captivating PNW waterfall experience. The trail spans approximately 2.4 miles round trip and is fairly easy for most hikers. This one also gets points for having scenic views along the trail, which meanders by the side of the creek and over two wooden bridges (a great photo opportunity!) before reaching the falls. Parking is available for $5, with the option to pay in advance or at a kiosk near the trailhead.
Once you’ve arrived, there is plenty of space to find a place to say “I do” including at the top of a rocky overlook, or you can even climb down to where the waterfall pools in the headwaters of its creek.
Abiqua Falls
Difficultly level: hard
Abiqua Falls is the most adventurous and difficult to access waterfall on this list. It’s very important to do thorough research before attempting this hike and certainly before planning your wedding here! The road to the trailhead can be confusing because is not well marked. Each yeah, the winter snow creates and expands deep washouts and potholes in the dirt road.
Once you make it to the trailhead, take care not to be misled by the tracks of other hikers who have done less planning, as the false trails they have made can easily take you down slippery and dangerous cliff sides. Come prepared with mud-proof boots and with gloves to assist you in some of the more slippery parts of the trail- including three steep sections where ropes have been placed to help you along. If possible, try to visit with someone who has been before!
All that said, with a little planning and a high clearance vehicle, the journey to this Abiqua Falls is extremely rewarding and often you can have the entire area all to yourself. It’s phenomenal in the driest parts of the summer when more of the rocky bank is available for standing on and setting up. You can also sometimes see playful otters flipping about in the pool! Due to the difficult nature of the hike, an elopement at Abiqua Falls would be best suited for those who want privacy, and who don’t mind getting a little dirty to get here! (I always recommend changing into your wedding clothes after arriving!)
Silver Falls State Park
Difficult level: easy
Choosing Upper North Falls in Silver Falls State Park as your wedding backdrop offers a picturesque setting for exchanging vows. It’s an easy, short hike (less than ¼ mile!) and has a rocky area right in front of the waterfall to say “I do”. While the state park tends to be one of the busiest, weekdays or shoulder seasons may offer some privacy. Moreover, during the autumn months, Silver Falls State Park comes alive with vibrant colors, creating a stunning backdrop for your elopement day. Additionally, there are several other nearby waterfalls to explore, and even cabins and lodges on site to complete your experience.
Tamanawas Falls
Difficulty level: moderate
Tamanawas Falls lies on the east side of Mt Hood, and is truly a waterfall in the wild.
The 3.5-mile round-trip hike to the falls takes you through a stunning forested trail with a gradual incline, occasionally winding alongside the creek that feeds the falls. What makes this trail exceptional is its accessibility during snowy months, providing a delightful opportunity for snowshoeing.
During colder periods, Tamanawas Falls may partially or completely freeze, adding a magical touch to your wedding photos!
Weather permitting, you can even access the space behind the falls. This adventure is perfect for couples seeking both waterfall and mountain vistas. If you’re in the mood for an elegant stay at Timberline Lodge and also looking for Mt Hood views, they’re just a half-hour away.
Youngs River Falls
Youngs River is the closest large to the Oregon Coast, near Seaside and Cannon Beach. It’s definitely off the beaten track, but only a short hike to access. The approach is rocky and can be slippery, and requires sure footing over uneven ground. Still, if you are looking for a waterfall AND Oregon Coast views, Youngs River Falls is the way to go!
Sahalie and Koosah Falls
Difficulty level: easy views, difficult approach
Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls are located along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass and West Cascades National Scenic Byways off Highway 126. Despite the trail’s parking area being fairly close to the highway, the immersive sounds of the falls and the immediate presence of the forest seamlessly drown out any highway noise, creating an enchanting atmosphere- no hiking needed!
Sahalie Falls, in particular, stands out as an ideal location for elopements and intimate weddings, especially for those residing in Eugene or Bend. The viewing platform is conveniently close to the parking area, ensuring easy accessibility for guests. Adventurous couples willing to embrace a challenge can venture beyond the viewing platform, descending to the waterfall approach. Even in the summer, Sahalie Falls maintains a robust flow, and braving the spray for a refreshing experience yields epic photos, with the waterfall’s strength creating a stunning backdrop.
Continue back along the path towards Koosah Falls to round out your experience and these two beautiful waterfalls.
Fun Fact: Sahalie Falls is featured in the film Homeward Bound!
Spirit Falls
Easy to Moderate
Located among logging roads in the Umpqua National Forest, Spirit Falls is approximately an hour’s drive from Eugene. It’s a short, scenic hike through the forest to reach the waterfall, providing photo opportunities among the trees and ferns. In the summer, the water’s flow greatly diminishes, creating gentle trickles over the moss-covered rocks.
For a summer elopement, imagine Spirit Falls as your exclusive haven, offering a personal paradise away from the hustle and bustle of a big city and other visitors. Fallen trees offer nice places to spread out a celebratory picnic or have a toast while dipping your feet in the small pool below.
Proxy Falls
Difficult to Moderate
Proxy Falls is another amazing waterfall and hike near the McKenzie Pass (we are so lucky to have so many!). The trailhead is actually located on the old Santiam Highway, which is only open to cars seasonally (closed in the winter). Still, the hike to the falls is accessible on foot and snowshoe in the winter- for a longer, more difficult hike-, or as a nice, moderate length hike directly from the trailhead in the summer. For elopements, I’d recommend a summer time visit unless you really love snow hiking!
In the summer, you’ll hike along a forested 1.6 mile loop. Once you get close the waterfall, the trail dips down a bit steeply. You may also have some shallow water crossings the closer you get. Still, the view for these falls is definitely one you are going to want to frame and hang on the wall!
