The Oregon Waterfall Guarded by Chest-Deep Waters and 100-Foot Moss-Covered Cliffs

Oneonta Gorge, Oregon

Hidden between giant cliffs in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, Oneonta shows off nature’s best work.

Clear blue pools reflect moss-covered walls while waterfalls crash nearby. The short trek rewards visitors with some of Oregon’s prettiest views.

Here’s what makes this mossy canyon worth your time.

Start Your Trip at the 176-Foot Horsetail Falls

The falls mark the start of the Oneonta Loop trail and give you a quick taste of the area’s beauty.

You won’t need to hike at all – the falls are just steps from where you park. A clear pool about 30 feet wide sits at the base where the water lands.

Walk Between Towering Rock Walls in the Narrows

The black canyon walls of Oneonta Gorge rise up around you as you wade through the creek.

Water flows cool around your legs while green moss clings to the rocks. The water gets deeper or lower based on when you visit – late summer brings knee-deep spots while spring can have chest-high pools.

You’ll want to bring water shoes with good grip since the creek bed has many slick rocks.

At its most narrow, the canyon is just 20-25 feet wide, making for a tight and thrilling walk.

Marvel at the 100-Foot Lower Oneonta Falls

The water fans out as it falls, making a wide curtain that crashes into a clear pool below.

The basin gets sunlight at midday, which turns the mist into tiny rainbows you can see. You can spot layers of old lava flows in the cliff walls if you look closely.

The pool stays cold even in summer – the water rarely gets above 50°F. Spring brings the loudest roar when snow melts and fills the creek, but you’ll find water flowing year-round.

Duck Behind Ponytail Falls in a Hidden Cavern

The rock cavern behind Ponytail Falls lets you walk where water drops 80 feet right in front of you.

This cave was made when soft soil under hard lava rock washed away over time.

You’ll find the path wide enough for two people to walk side by side through the open space.

Mist from the falls will cool your skin as you pass behind the sheet of water. Look up to see tiny ferns that grow on the damp rock roof.

Gaze Down at Middle Oneonta Falls from Above

Middle Oneonta Falls drops 24 feet into the creek before the water keeps going down into the canyon.

You can watch from a metal bridge above as the water rushes down. This fall is easy to see from the path without having to wade through water.

If you look into the pool below, you might spot small fish that call it home. March and April bring the fastest flows after winter rains fill the creek.

Climb Over a Maze of Fallen Trees at the Logjam

Near the start of your hike, you’ll need to cross a huge pile of logs that have built up over time.

The mix of tree trunks and rocks makes for a fun bit of climbing on your way to the falls. Some logs are as thick as 5 feet across and stack up 15-20 feet high.

Every year, the jam shifts when high water and storms move things around. You’ll find the right side has the most stable route where logs are wedged tight.

Dip Into the Deep Blue Pool at the Falls’ Base

The deep pool at the base of Lower Oneonta Falls glows with rich blue color, set off by black rock walls and bright green plants.

The blue comes from tiny bits of rock and how light hits the water. The water stays around 50°F most of the year, but brave folks jump in anyway.

When you float on your back, you can see the full height of the falls above. Move to the edges where sun hits the water if you want to find slightly warmer spots.

Follow the Path to Three Side-by-Side Waterfalls

Triple Falls shows off three streams of water that drop 120 feet at once, side by side.

The top has a bridge that makes a great lunch spot with an amazing view of the drops. You’ll only need to hike 1.8 miles from the main trail to reach this spot.

Each of the three falls is about 15 feet wide as they pour down. The left stream tends to have the most water, while the right one might dry up by late summer.

From the bridge, you’ll feel air rush up from the falls below. The path down to the bottom is steep but worth it to see the falls up close.

Catch the Light Show When Sun Beams Hit the Water

At just the right times of day, sun lines up to send beams of light into the gorge. Around noon, light hits the top of the waterfall, making water drops shine like gems.

Summer months from 11am to 1pm give you the best light show of all. The sun turns water mist into glowing curtains you can walk through.

Watch how the creek changes from clear to blue as sun moves across it. Bright spots form on the dark canyon floor and shift as the sun moves.

Take In Views from the High Cliff at Oneonta Bluff

A short side path takes you to Oneonta Bluff where you can look out over the whole Columbia River Gorge.

From this high point, Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain rise in the distance. The view spot sits 200 feet above the wide river below.

Clear days let you see at least five other peaks along the gorge rim. A flat rock at the top makes a nice place to sit and take in the view.

Tiny boats move on the water far below you. Bring field glasses to watch birds of prey hunt over the river.

Make Your Way Around the Full Oneonta Loop

You’ll pass three waterfalls, walk along the rim of the slot canyon, and get great views of the Columbia River.

At just 2.7 miles with 400 feet of climb, it won’t take all day. The path has clear signs and is easy to follow the whole way.

You’ll cross a metal bridge that made it through the 2017 fire without harm. Set aside 2-3 hours so you can stop and enjoy the views.

The last part of the loop follows an old forest road with gentle slopes. If you go clockwise, you’ll hit the steep parts first when you still have energy.

Trace Lava Flows from 15 Million Years Ago

Oneonta Creek has cut through layers of rock over millions of years. The gorge follows a crack in the earth, which is why it runs as straight as an arrow.

The rock formed in huge lava floods 15-17 million years ago, making six-sided columns up to 10 feet wide.

These columns formed when hot lava cooled and cracked in even patterns. Each layer in the cliff face shows one lava flow from long ago.

You can touch smooth, shiny patches on rock walls, made glass-like by water over time.