Top 10 Waterfall Elopement Locations in Oregon
If you are looking for a unique way to say “I Do”, then a waterfall elopement may be for you! Waterfall elopements are awesome for so many reasons. Just to name a few, they are perfect for the off season in Oregon because of the lower elevation. They are also perfect for the adventurous + playful couple. With a quick hike to the waterfall, you can have a cool mist to add a fun and dramatic touch to your elopement photos! Waterfall elopements can also be private. The sound of the waterfall drowns out everything else so it is just you and your partner. If I sold you on having a waterfall elopement, come see my top 10 waterfalls in Oregon!
The Best Waterfalls in Oregon
Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls is the closest of the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls to Portland. This waterfall has a single 224 foot drop that makes for epic backdrops for your elopement pictures. You can make the short walk to the base of the waterfall itself or you can make a hike of it and do the Latorell Falls loop hike. The start point for your hike will be at Latourell Falls Trailhead, and you will end at Upper Latourell Falls. The hike is about 2.4 miles, but is relatively easy making it a great place for your elopement! Here is an example elopement from this waterfall location.
Wahclella Falls
Like Lautorell Falls, Wahclella Falls is also an easy 2.4 mile hike. The trail you will take winds by house-sized boulders, so it is also great for site seeing! Once you get to the end of the trail, you will see Wahclella Falls, a 350 foot plunge waterfall. It plummets into a huge splash pool! If you’re eloping here during the fall, keep your eyes out for spawning salmon at the base of the waterfall!
Tamanawas Falls
Near Mount Hood Parkdale, Oregon lies Tamanawas Falls. This hike is considered moderately challenging at 3.4 miles, but the views are worth it! It falls over a 110-foot lava cliff near the base of Mount Hood. The waterfall tends to thin out during the late summer and fall, but the summer wildflowers and the changing leaves in the fall make up for it.
Proxy Falls
This might be Oregons most epic waterfall! Proxy Falls is arguably the most photographed waterfall in Oregon. Located Three Sisters Wilderness of the Willamette National Forest, this waterfall offers such a unique view for your elopement. What makes if different from the rest, is it doesn’t pool into any water! It actually sinks into porous lava rocks into the ground below.
White River Falls
White River Falls is an easy 1.4 mile hike and the waterfall thrives during spring time! Once summer and fall hits, it starts to thin out, so definitely consider this one for the spring months! Not only does the waterfall roar during the spring, the area is also filled with gorgeous desert flowers during this time too.
Ramona Falls
This hike is definitely more for the pros at 7.1 miles round trip. It has a gradual elevation gain and is very close to Portland making it the perfect summer spot. At the end of this hike, you will discover the magical and dramatic Ramona Falls. Definitely do your research if this waterfall intrigues you, because this hike is not for the faint of heart!
Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls State Park is considered the “Crown Jewel” of Oregon, and for good reasons! At this location, you can actually walk BEHIND the waterfall! Imagine how amazing those elopement photos would be. This is considered a moderate hike, with a 7.2 mile loop, but there are different access points to shorten the route. Not only will you see the main waterfall at the end, during your hike you will pass multiple waterfalls on the way.
Abiqua Falls
The perfect location for a moody elopement is at Abiqua Falls! Falling over a basalt column amphitheater, this 92-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. The molten lava in this location cooled suddenly, allowing for these magnificent hexagonal columns to form in the volcanic rock. The way the volcanic rock and the waterfall look together, it seems like you traveled to a mystical land!
Upper North Falls
From the North Falls parking area of the Trail of Ten Falls loop, you’ll come across this extremely underrated waterfall! Many people don’t know about Upper North Falls, so that means it’ll be relatively calmer compared to some of the more popular waterfalls. At 65-feet tall, during the rainy season in Oregon, this waterfall could easily be the same distance wide!
SAHALIE FALLS
Ending things off, Sahalie Falls is an easy and family friendly 2.6-mile loop. It drops approximately 100 feet from the natural lava dam. This waterfall was even featured in Disney’s “Homeward Bound”! You can also get to this waterfall viewing area just by going 100-feet from the parking lot, making it very accessible for anyone!
Sierra Jessup Photography | Adventure Elopement Photographer
Are you planning an epic adventure elopement in Oregon and want to have waterfalls be a part of your big day too? I’d LOVE to be the one to capture your special day to give you everlasting memories with epic backdrops of epic waterfalls!! If you are ready to start planning, head over to my contact page so we can get in touch! I can’t wait to hear from you and help you plan your breathtaking adventure elopement day!
