Ramona Falls
Located in Mount Hood National Forest about 50 miles east of Portland, Ramona Falls is accessible via a 3.5-mile hike from Ramona Falls Trailhead. You’ll walk along the Sandy River Trail, which involves crossing the Sandy River without any footbridges. As such, visitors should come prepared with hiking poles and proper footwear (or plan to remove their socks and shoes). Sandy River Trail is also an equestrian path, so you may see adventurers on horseback. Past visitors to this fan waterfall note the cascades appear to glow at times. The trail can get busy in warm-weather months, as the forest cover provides a cool respite from the summer heat. Backcountry camping is allowed, but there are no amenities in this remote spot, so be sure to take all of your trash with you when you leave. Or, for a less rugged stay, head to Whispering Woods Resort in Welches, less than 10 miles from the Ramona Falls Trailhead. A closer, in-between option is Lost Creek Campground, which offers drive-to and walk-to tent campsites. There are also two yurts that can accommodate six campers each.
Tamanawas Falls
Tamanawas Falls sits east of majestic, snow-covered Mount Hood. Visiting this 100-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide cascade requires a short 1-mile hike from the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead. The U.S. Forest Service says this trailhead, which is 25 miles south of the town of Hood River and has picnic tables and restrooms, is among the most popular in the Mount Hood National Forest. Arrive at the parking lot early if you want a guaranteed spot, especially on summer weekends. The route follows Cold Spring Creek, and past hikers note it can be slippery in parts, especially in the spring with recent snowmelt. Sherwood Campground on Highway 35 has the closest campsites to the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead, and it offers spots for both tents and RVs (though there are no electric hookups).