Waterfall Hikes Near Portland

For a waterfall hike near Portland on the Washington side, cross to Washington's Beacon Rock State Park, about 40 minutes away. The Hamilton Mountain Trail reaches three waterfalls on Hardy Creek, Rodney Falls, Hardy Falls and the Pool of the Winds, in 2.52 miles round trip with 600 feet of gain, through old-growth Douglas fir. Keep going and the same trail climbs to a 2,438-foot summit over the Columbia River Gorge.

The Beacon Rock Waterfall Hike

1. Park at the Hamilton Mountain Trailhead and Lower Picnic Area with a Discover Pass.
2. Climb through old-growth Douglas fir; in under half a mile you pass under the power lines with a view of Bonneville Dam.
3. Nearly another mile on moderate trail brings you to the falls. Side trails lead to Hardy Falls and the Pool of the Winds; Rodney Falls is on the main trail at the footbridge over Hardy Creek.

Full details: Pool of the Winds and Rodney Falls.

Make It a Bigger Day

• Summit Hamilton Mountain: 6.4 miles round trip, 2,038 feet of gain. See Hamilton Mountain.
• Climb Beacon Rock: 1.8 miles round trip on 52 switchbacks, just across the highway. See Beacon Rock Trail.
• Camp overnight in the 1935 CCC campground. See camping.

Other Washington State Parks Near Portland

Washington State Parks' own list of must-see parks near Portland and Vancouver, with drive times:

• Paradise Point, 25 minutes: a nine-hole disc golf course, the East Fork of the Lewis River and yurts.
• Battle Ground Lake, 30 minutes: a spring-fed lake in an old volcanic caldera, with swimming, fishing, paddling, hiking and horseback riding.
• Beacon Rock, 40 minutes: this park, for waterfalls and a volcanic monolith.
• Seaquest and the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, about one hour: a boardwalk over a wetland on the Silver Lake trail, and a forested campground with yurts.
• Fort Columbia and Cape Disappointment, about two hours: an intact 1890s fort, two lighthouses and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.

Tips for Waterfall Hikes

• Go early on summer weekends; the trailhead lot fills.
• Bring a Discover Pass: Washington state parks require one to park.
• Wear shoes with grip near the creek.
• From October to May, the Beacon Rock Trail closes Tuesday to Thursday, but the Hamilton Mountain Trail and the falls stay open.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: Portlanders looking for a forest waterfall hike under two hours of walking. Maybe skip if you want a roadside waterfall with no hiking; every fall here needs a 1.3-mile walk each way.