17 Waterfalls near Bend, Oregon You’ll Love to See
Disclosure: This blog has affiliate links, and it’s how I can keep doing what I love. If you book something, I might make a commission with no added cost to you. Thanks for the support!
When I visited Oregon for 3 weeks, I made it my mission to visit all the waterfalls near Bend.
I searched “waterfalls” in Google Maps and… boom. There were a whole lot more than I expected.
So, I chose all the ones that were nice and close, because who drives an hour and a half to see a waterfall? Well, I did. They looked amazing!
And I have to say it was worth it!
In the end, I ended up getting to 11 waterfalls. And it could have been 17, but there was too much snow on one of the hikes (this one hike has 7 waterfalls)!
In this guide, I’m sharing my personal favorites so that you can skip the underwhelming ones and head straight to the best. Whether you’re looking for a short walk or a longer day hike, I’m going to share some tips from someone who’s been to all these waterfalls and give you a few alternatives for hiking less.
Why are there so many waterfalls near Bend?
I got to see waterfalls all around Bend, in:
- Upper Deschutes River
- Tumalo Falls Day Use Area
- Three Sisters Wilderness
- Right inside of Bend
Why in the world are there so many?
Ahhh, geology. The reason so many of us love going outdoors to be impressed.
Bend is surrounded by mountains. Well, they’re actually volcanos. What that means is that the area is rugged.
Some rivers flow over what were once lava flows. Others have eroded their way through volcanic cliffs and formations. Some, like Dillon and Benham Falls are surrounded, not by forest, but by black rock from ancient volcanic eruptions.
It’s an amazing place to get outdoors, unlike any I’ve seen before!
Fees to See Waterfalls near Bend
A lot of the waterfalls near Bend are in fee areas.
Thankfully, paying these fees is really easy.
Some of the waterfalls in this guide are in national forests, and you just pay when you get there.
In the Deschutes National Forest, day-use costs $5 per car. It’s usually trust-based and there’s a little box where you can complete a form and pay.
And FYI, you can get into national forests for free if you have the America the Beautiful Pass for national parks. It costs $80 and lasts a year, so it makes sense to buy if you’re going to 3 or more national parks that year. You can buy the pass online, but it’s easier to buy at any national park entrance.
This doesn’t apply to any of the waterfalls in this article, but if you go to an Oregon state park, some charge $10 per car and you pay through a machine or at the park office.
However, you can also get a 12-month parking permit for Oregon state parks. It only costs $30, so it’s an amazing deal if you’re going to Oregon state parks more than 3 times in the year. That was definitely my case, and I ended up saving $40 during my trip through Oregon.
You can get the 12-month permit online, but it’s easier to buy it physically at parks that charge a fee. There are also random grocery stores and other vendors in Oregon that sell it.
So, now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at the best waterfalls near Bend:
16 Waterfalls Near Bend
3-in-1 at the Deschutes River (~20 minutes from Bend)
The adventure to these 3 waterfalls starts 16 minutes from Bend.
There’s a trail that follows the Upper Deschutes River, where you can see 3 different waterfalls (for $5 per car).
The first one is Lava Island Falls, and, funny enough, it’s a bit disappointing.
You see, it’s on the wrong side – nature got it all wrong!
All the trails are on the western side of the river, and the river splits into two at the Lava Island Falls. The Falls are on the far side, and you really can’t see them. So, though it’s a long waterfall (almost more like rapids) that you can hear pounding against all the rocks, you don’t get THE view.
The second waterfall is Dillon Falls. The actual waterfall isn’t very tall, but the amount of water flowing through the river is impressive, and you can get up close to it.
But make sure you walk down-river a bit because the Dillon Falls become rapids through a tall channel. You can step out onto rocks right over the rapids for an incredible 180° view.
The third waterfall is the biggest of them all – Benham Falls. It’s doesn’t fall straight down but is a long series of steps down to the river. Again, the volume of water is impressive, and I stood there gazing at all its layers for a while.
You can also walk down to the river and then turn right to walk right on the water’s edge for an awesome view of Benham Falls from water-level. This is where you’ll also see the black rock on the other side of the river from an ancient volcanic eruption.
There are 3 options for how to get to these waterfalls:
- You could hike all the way from the Lava Island Trailhead to Benham Falls and back (or have someone pick you up at the end), but that’s far. Alternatively, you could hike from the Lava Island Trailhead to Dillon Falls and back (about 6 miles total) and then drive to Benham Falls.
- You can bike all along the river, which I think is the most fun. Unfortunately, the biking trail only goes as far as Dillon Falls (the second waterfall).
- What I did was drive to each waterfall’s trailhead, because you get some hiking at each one of them anyway. You start at Lava Island Falls, drive 11 minutes to Dillon Falls and then 15 minutes to Benham Falls. It’s not too much driving at all!
Arguably the best thing to do on the Deschutes River is take a Guided Kayaking Tour. Of course, no waterfalls on that tour, but that’s a good thing.
These are the biggest waterfalls near Bend. But the next ones are way bigger, and only a bit farther!
7 Waterfalls in 7 miles (~25 minutes from Bend)
The most famous waterfall near Bend is Tumalo Falls, and the trailhead is just 28 minutes from Bend. It costs $5 per car to park there.
What makes it famous is that the best view of the waterfall is from the parking lot, and only a half-mile hike (round trip) to the top of the falls.
Most people stop there, and they’re seriously missing out. There are 6 more waterfalls to see, and the next ones are even cooler than Tumalo Falls.
Here are several ways to hike in the Tumalo Falls Day Use Area:
- If you drove out here, at least hike the 2 miles (roundtrip) to Double Falls! They were the most impressive falls I saw. I think they’re called Double Falls because the water cascades down two drops. But just past Double Falls, there’s what I thought was another waterfall, but it’s not on the map. Maybe they’re just considered rapids. Either way, they’re both worth the short hike!
- Another option is to keep hiking after Double Falls. It takes a while to see any more waterfalls (about the same distance between Tumalo Falls and Double Falls), but then there are 4 other waterfalls in quick succession. So, you could hike until you get tired and turn back.
- To see the 7 waterfalls, you have to do the Tumalo Falls Loop. It’s 6.9 miles long, with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. You start on the North Fork Trail, turn onto the Swampy Lakes Trail and finish on the Bridge Creek Trail. It involves creek crossings and everything!
I tried doing the Tumalo Falls Loop, but was only able to make it as far as the Middle Tumalo Falls because there was still snow EVERYWHERE. And I went in late May!
So, be aware that the loop is best enjoyed as a mid- to late-summer adventure. Although walking on snow for an hour, following other people’s tracks, was a TON of fun.
The Only Waterfall inside of Bend (+ a Better Alternative)
If you looked up waterfalls near Bend, like I did, you might have seen that there’s a waterfall right inside of Bend. It’s called Berry Falls.
Though all waterfalls are beautiful, I don’t think it’s worth going to Berry Falls unless you’re staying nearby.
I went to be able to give my opinion on this guide, and it was kind of like, “Ok, there’s the waterfall.” There’s no real hike, and it almost feels like you’re trespassing on private property. It just doesn’t feel as natural.
A better alternative, if you’re looking for something to do in Bend, is to enjoy the Deschutes River Trail.
It’s a 12-mile network of trails in the Old Mill District of Bend, close to downtown. It was the beginning of summer when I visited, and there were people everywhere jogging on both sides of the river and floating around and paddleboarding. The area is full of parks and landings for people getting in the water.
You can rent a bike or take a guided tour to see some lesser-known areas. It’s definitely the place to be when it’s warm in Bend!
An Epic Adventure to 4 Waterfalls (1.5 hours from Bend)
I didn’t want to drive any further than 30 minutes to see waterfalls.
But the Chush Falls looked awesome, and they’re in the Three Sisters Wilderness. The Three Sisters are these really sharp volcanic peaks you can see from Bend.
I’m a sucker for big mountains with sharp peaks, so I decided to give Chush Falls a try.
Plus, look at all these waterfalls in a small area!
I only saw 4 of these waterfalls on the trail, but I was more than satisfied. The official maintained trail only goes until Chush Falls, and then you have to follow small trails onward.
They’re not as obvious and there’s fallen trees all over, so it’s quite the adventure.
In the end, I made it past Chush Falls and got to see The Cascades Waterfall, Kaluwas Falls and Upper Chush Falls, which was the best part of the hike.
The entire Chush Falls Trail is about 6.5 miles long. I didn’t track it, but I got 14,000 steps. It’s about 2.5 miles to Chush Falls, 0.5 miles to The Cascades Waterfall and another 0.25 to Kaluwas Falls and Upper Chush Falls.
And the elevation gain isn’t too bad – about 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
The hike to Chush Falls is pretty easy, and that’s when it gets steeper.
Know Before You Go!
There are some important things you need to know to successfully see these waterfalls:
- The road to Chush Falls can be wrong on Google Maps. It led me to a road that doesn’t exist anymore. I was about to go back home when I realized there’s a parallel road a little further. I did some exploring and was able to get to the trailhead without any issues. Just make sure you search “Chush Falls Trailhead,” not “Chush Falls” on your GPS, and it’ll lead you the right way.
- You need to hike down to the river to see Chush Falls, and it’s worth it. Hike down where you see a sign that says “Trail Ends Here.” It’s very steep, but quite short. That’s when you’ll actually see Chush Falls splayed out before you. It’s a gorgeous 50-foot waterfall.
- After Chush Falls, do your best to stay on trail by, first, always making sure the creek is close by on your right. Second, don’t worry if you lose the trail for a bit. There’s lots of small trails parallel to each other and, if you stay close to the creek, you’ll find another one soon enough.
- The Cascades Waterfall is beautiful but not very big, while Kaluwas Falls and Upper Chush Falls is the real reward. The first time I saw it, I was tired and considering turning back. But I got a glimpse of it through the trees (it’s far away and way up) and that gorgeous view gave me the momentum to finish. Upper Chush Falls is 200 feet tall, the tallest of the three waterfalls, and it’s so close to Kaluwas Falls that they almost combine into one long waterfall!
For a full rundown on how to hike the Chush Falls Trail and beyond, read my blog post about it!
The Waterfall near Bend I Missed (+ A Better Alternative)
Well, I missed a lot of waterfalls if we’re including falls an hour and a half away, but Cline Falls is 28 minutes from Bend and I still didn’t go.
Why was that?
Well, I was too busy doing something else in the city of Redmond.
The city is home to Smith Rock State Park, one of the most ridiculously photogenic places I’ve been. Giant, thin cliffs and spires follow the winding river, like spikes on a dragon’s back. It’s so cool to see, especially at sunset!
And to be honest, it’s much more worth your time than Cline Falls. From pictures I saw on Google Maps, I really wasn’t keen on going to Cline Falls.
Instead, do these things in Smith Rock State Park:
- Hike: the viewpoint close to the parking lot is amazing, but it’s worth walking down to the river trail and going to the Monkey’s Face, taking the Summit Trail or just wandering around! Make sure you at least get to the bridge and enjoy.
- Bike: Smith Rock State Park has miles of mountain biking trails, from beginner-friendly ones to really tough ones.
- Rock climb: this is what I was there to do, and the reason I went to Smith Rock 4 times. It’s an amazing place to sport climb, and was one of the first developed crags in the U.S. This place is legendary!
And just like that, we’ve covered all the waterfalls near Bend, Oregon. If you have even more time during your visit, you could also visit Paulina Falls, Fall River Falls, or Steelhead Falls.
But, honestly, they aren’t nearly as impressive as the ones in this guide – and they’re farther from Bend (except for those on the Chush Falls Trail).
Once you’ve seen the waterfalls in this post, your time will be better spent enjoying the rivers in Bend, going to the mountains, or just biking around the city.
I absolutely loved Bend – not just the outdoors scene, but the city itself. It’s a small but really outdoorsy city with an awesome vibe and great food. What’s not to love!?
I’m already looking forward to going back.
Where to Stay in Bend (For Free??)
As I drove through Bend my first few days there, I kept asking myself, “Are there any ugly houses??”
After being there 3 weeks, my answer is “Apparently not!”
I stayed in 3 different houses in Bend and had an absolute blast. I did it through the Trusted HouseSitters program, so my lodging was free.
It’s a platform where you pay a fee to join and then it connects you with homeowners who need someone to take care of their pets. They don’t pay you, but you get to stay in their home (like an Airbnb with responsibilities).
After being in 3 homes in Bend over 3 weeks, and bunches of other homes during my road trip from Northern California, I have to say there’s nothing like coming “home” from a tough hike or day in the sun and sitting on a sofa.
Whether or not you do it through Trusted HouseSitters, a vacation rental (house) is the way to go in Bend.
Check out the map below for all the best lodging options in Bend. The ones in red with a “V” are vacation rentals you can book on Vrbo.
Where to Next?
Bend is a great stop on any Oregon road trip. Like I said, I stopped in Bend after touring Northern California, but it was really a stop on my west coast road trip, which I started from Las Vegas. That, in turn, was part of my 1.5-year road trip all over the USA!
So, where should you go after Bend or during a road trip that includes Bend?
- Portland: this is where I went after Bend, and Portland is a cool, much bigger city. I spent 1 day in Portland and I enjoyed how it’s a big city with lots of outdoorsy things to do!
- Crater Lake: this national park is incredible – it has one of the best views I’ve ever seen. And the story of how it came to be is amazing. Crater Lake is definitely worth visiting for a day!
- Oregon road trip: pair Bend and the deserty eastern part of Oregon with a loop that includes the Oregon Coast road trip or even a longer PNW road trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
Oh, it sure does! I tried visiting a total of 16 waterfalls near Bend during my 3-week trip to Bend. All but 3 of them were about half an hour from the city, and 1 was inside of Bend.
No, Tumalo Falls is not free because it’s in the Deschutes National Forest. They charge $5 per car for parking, but its “free” if you have the interagency pass (America the Beautiful Pass) for national parks, which costs $80 for the whole year.
If you only have a day in Bend, you should definitely take the morning and early afternoon to be outdoors. Go to Tumalo Falls and hike a bunch to see up to 7 waterfalls in one hike and then go to the Deschutes River Trail in downtown Bend to relax on the water.
Then, spend some time in the city because its vibing. Go to any of Bend’s awesome restaurants or breweries (which it’s known for) and even look for some live music. It seems like there’s always something cool going on in Bend.
For all outdoors activities to be accessible (because the snow has all melted), go in the summer, which is from June to August. But it’ll be really hot. I liked going in late spring, so May, because almost everything was accessible, but it was still cool most days. However, a few trails I tried were still overrun with snow, which was a little sad (although it was a whole different adventure of its own).
It’s a total of 12 miles long, although it’s not all one-way. It’s a network of paths. The trail goes around a gorgeous section of river right in Bend, and it’s on both sides of the river.
It’s the perfect place to be during a warm afternoon in Bend!
