Prepare to discover the best waterfalls near Bend Oregon! These amazing Bend Oregon waterfalls are certainly worth a visit and are sure to provide a memorable experience.
Each of these Bend waterfalls make for an awesome day trip from Bend! Some are just steps from the parking lot, while others offer excellent Bend Oregon waterfall hikes.
You can even visit these waterfalls near Bend during any time of the year, although they are most refreshing during the warmer months. That said, winter can be a great time to visit Bend Oregon waterfalls.
As Central Oregon residents, we are lucky to be able to explore these waterfalls close to Bend Oregon. We are excited to share our knowledge with you!
Without further delay, pack your sense of adventure and let’s cascade into the best waterfalls near Bend Oregon!
Waterfalls Near Bend Oregon Overview
There are dozens of waterfalls close to Bend Oregon, but not all are equally impressive!
In this article, we’ve gathered the 7 best waterfalls near Bend (in our humble opinion) based on their proximity to Bend and how fun they are to visit!
Each one is unique and has their own special charm to offer visitors. In fact, we recommend you try to visit each of these waterfalls near Bend at least once if you can!
The table below is a brief summary of the falls near Bend mentioned in this article. We’ll go into more detail on each Bend waterfall later.
| Waterfall Name | Typical Drive Time From Bend (one way) | Hike Required? |
| Tumalo Falls | 26 minutes | No (except in winter) |
| Dillon Falls | 20 minutes | Yes (very short) |
| Paulina Falls | 45 minutes | No (except in winter) |
| Toketee Falls | 2 hours | Yes (0.8 miles) |
| Cline Falls | 30 minutes | Yes (< 1 mile) |
| Steelhead Falls | 45 minutes | Yes (1.5 miles) |
| Proxy Falls | 1.5 hours | Yes (1.5 miles) |
Bend Oregon Waterfalls Map
Use the interactive map we created below to get your bearings on the waterfalls near Bend mentioned in this article. You can also expand it to view in a new window.
Tumalo Falls Bend Oregon
Tumalo Falls is an iconic waterfall near Bend, Oregon, celebrated for its striking beauty and easy accessibility. Situated less than 30 minutes west of Bend, this waterfall descends gracefully over a 97-foot precipice and into a dramatic canyon.
During warmer months, you can marvel at the falls from a convenient viewpoint near the parking area or opt for a short scenic hike along the Tumalo Falls Trail for an up close view of the cascading waters.
In the winter, the road is closed (check Trip Check for updated information) but you can still access Tumalo Falls by parking at Skyliner Sno Park (you do not need a sno-park permit).
From the snow park it’s about 2 miles (one-way) to the falls and you may need to snowshoe or cross country ski depending on the amount of snow. Tumalo Falls is super pretty in the winter and worth the extra effort to get there!
Dillon Falls Bend Oregon
Dillon Falls is the first of three waterfalls on the Deschutes River mentioned in this article. It is accessible via the Deschutes River Trail which has many trailheads, but the closest is Dillon Falls Trailhead (just 20 minutes from downtown Bend).
The hike to Dillon Falls from the trailhead is about 1000 feet, though we recommend taking this opportunity to explore more of the Deschutes River Trail as well.
While certainly not the most impressive waterfall you have ever seen (it’s more of a steep horizontal section of the river) it’s still a beautiful area. That said, if you want a “true waterfall” near Bend, look at one of the other options in this article.
Paulina Falls
Located 45 minutes from Bend, Paulina Falls is a special waterfall in Central Oregon. This 80 foot high vertical waterfall is an impressive sight to see.
In the warmer months, you can drive within steps of the waterfall, which makes this one of the most accessible waterfalls in Central Oregon.
However, in the winter, you must park at a 10 mile snow park and hike (you can also cross country ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile) 5 miles round-trip. We did this in February 2024 (you can check out our YouTube video) and had a blast!
While you’re at Paulina Falls, take advantage of the other amazing parts of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument including Paulina Lake, Paulina Mountain Viewpoint, and plenty of excellent hiking trails and campgrounds.
Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls in Oregon is an impressive and majestic waterfall located along Highway 138 in the enchanting Umpqua National Forest that is definitely worth a visit. It is a trek from Bend however, and requires a 2 hour drive one way.
The unique rock formations, beautiful cascading water, and magical but manageable hike (0.8 miles total) make this special Oregon waterfall one to put on your list.
Toketee Falls is open year round and does not require a fee or permit of any kind. We love this waterfall near Bend so much that we created a full article about Toketee Falls.
Local Tip: Don’t miss the chance to soak in Umpqua Hot Springs nearby. This is one of our favorite natural hot springs in Oregon. You can also camp nearby at Toketee Lake Campground, which we recommend to split up the drive over two days.
Cline Falls
Cline Falls is just outside of Redmond and about 30 minutes from Bend. There is a short hike that connects the day use area parking lot to the section of the Deschutes River that has Cline Falls.
The falls themselves are unique and fragmented into several sections by the deep crevices in the rock. We love to scamper around the rocks and explore the nooks and crannies of this part of the river. The falls themselves are not very tall, but it’s still a worthwhile visit.
Furthermore, the Cline Falls area is an awesome picnic area and swimming hole in the summer and we highly recommend spending a few hours here cooling off on a hot day.
Steelhead Falls
Steelhead Falls, located about 45 minutes north of Bend, offers a rugged and scenic experience for visitors. Situated along the Deschutes River, this waterfall can be accessed via a moderate hike of approximately 1.5 miles round-trip.
The trail winds through high desert terrain, providing hikers with views of unique geological formations and canyon landscapes. The falls themselves are impressive and certainly worth a visit.
Though open year-round, Steelhead Falls is best visited during the warmer months, typically from late spring to early fall, when the weather is more conducive to outdoor activities.
In fact, swimming and cliff jumping are popular in the pool right below the falls, and as a result this is a great spot to cool off on a hot summer day. Don’t forget your hat and sunscreen!
With its rugged beauty and tranquil surroundings, Steelhead Falls is a prime example of the excellent waterfalls near Bend, as well as a popular destination for a scenic hike and the opportunity to cool off in the refreshing waters below the falls.
Proxy Falls
Nestled in an enchanting basalt canyon, Proxy Falls is located along the McKenzie Highway about 1.5 hours from Bend.
Keep in mind that most of McKenzie Highway is closed in the winter (check Trip Check for updated information).
Accessible via a 1.5-mile round-trip hike (which is quite pretty), the falls cascade gracefully over a basalt cliff, splitting into twin streams amidst moss-covered surroundings.
The best time to visit is late spring to early autumn, offering the best chance for fair weather. During winter the closure of McKenzie Highway makes it harder to reach this waterfall from Bend.
Proxy Falls is nearby other natural wonders in the Willamette National Forest, complementing the allure of the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway and Dee Wright Observatory.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article helpful when exploring waterfalls near Bend Oregon. These nearby Bend Oregon waterfalls are all worth checking out and showcase the beauty of this region.
In addition, we love the opportunities for Bend waterfall hikes. The hike makes the view so much more worth it!
If you enjoyed this article about Bend waterfalls, check out our other articles about Central Oregon, including hiking, paddleboarding, trail running, and snow parks.
As Central Oregon residents, we are excited to share our knowledge with you to help you make the most of this special region. As always, leave no trace and have fun exploring!
