I am from Texas and my childhood included exactly zero waterfall experiences. My children, on the other hand, see them so regularly they assume rainforest views are a given. They have a hard time believing that growing up, I couldn’t drive an hour in any direction and find myself at a waterfall. It’s my equivalent of walking a mile uphill both ways to school.
I’ve made up for lost time, however, and spend many of my spring weekends chasing waterfalls. I like to think of spring as waterfall season, when the falls are full from the winter rains but the sun is shining and the trails are dry.
There’s a notable omission on this list, so I must admit I have a (certainly unreasonable) disdain for waterfalls in view of a parking lot (looking at you Multnomah Falls). Nothing feels serene if I’m standing in view of traffic. But little kids can get grumpy fast if the hike is too arduous, thus, all of the waterfalls on this list hit the sweet spot: not too challenging, not too touristy. I hope you love them as much as we do!
Horsetail and Ponytail Falls
If you are hiking with children who want maximum waterfall payoff for minimum complaining, this is the one. In fear of outing myself as a hypocrite, I must admit that Horsetail Falls is basically right there when you arrive, but it does not have a touristy vibe, even though you can see it from the parking lot. For me, this still counts as a hike, because you have to walk half a mile up the trail to reach waterfall number two, Ponytail Falls.
The real delight here, of course, is that you can walk behind Ponytail Falls, which is exactly the kind of thing children (and adults!) find thrilling.
The whole thing is short enough to feel manageable even on a day when everyone is a little dramatic, but scenic enough that it still feels like you did something. Oregon Hikers calls it one of the easiest waterfall hikes in the Gorge, and the out-and-back is just under a mile total.
Because it is so short and so spectacular, this one is popular, so I recommend getting there early because parking is minimal and there aren’t great options for parking on the street. On the bright side, this means it shouldn’t be crowded!
Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls feels dramatic almost immediately. The lower falls are close to the parking area, so if your group is not up for much more than a gorgeous view and a quick stroll, you can still leave feeling like you had a proper outing. If everyone is game, the full loop takes you to Upper Latourell Falls too, and the trail is around 2.2 to 2.4 miles with a little over 600 feet of elevation gain.
I like this one because it offers options. You can keep it short and sweet, or you can commit to the loop and get that satisfying “we really hiked” feeling without plunging into all-day expedition territory. The trail passes bridges, creek views and dense greenery, which helps keep the journey interesting enough that kids are not asking how much farther every thirty seconds. It is popular for good reason, and it is one of those hikes that tends to make everyone feel competent and outdoorsy.
Wahkeena Falls
Wahkeena has a wow factor for sure. The lower falls are less than a quarter mile from the trailhead, and there is also a viewpoint higher up if you want a little more movement without committing to the full Multnomah-Wahkeena loop. That larger loop is closer to five miles with around 1,600 feet of gain, which is a whole different family outing, so you do you.
When our kids were little we would hike up to Fairy Falls and turn around, but you can just visit Wahkeena and call it a day. For younger kids, I think Wahkeena works best as a short-and-satisfying outing rather than a big hike. You still get rushing water, lush Gorge beauty and that classic mossy-fairytale energy, but you can turn around before morale tanks. If you do continue higher, keep a close eye on little ones in areas with drop-offs.
Starvation Creek Falls
Starvation Creek is my dream version of a multigenerational waterfall outing because it delivers an almost unreasonable amount of beauty for very little effort. If you are trying to accommodate kids, grandparents or anyone who would prefer their waterfall experience with less root-dodging and more strolling, this is such a good pick. The route here uses mostly the paved Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, perfect for strollers.
What makes this one especially fun is that it is not just one waterfall. You can start with tiny-but-lovely Starvation Creek Falls right by the trailhead, then continue along the paved path to see Hole-in-the-Wall Falls and Cabin Creek Falls, with Lancaster Falls requiring just a short unpaved hike. It feels a little like cheating, honestly, to collect that many waterfalls on a hike that is so manageable.
Wahclella Falls [Temporarily Closed 2026]
If pressed to choose a favorite, I’ll hem and haw but eventually I always land on Wahclella Falls as the perfect blend of family-friendly and spectacular. Unfortunately for all of us, it’s currently closed due to damage from major storms last winter. Fortunately, you’ve got plenty of other kid-friendly options on this list.
The trail to Wahclella Falls is just the right balance for us — only 1.9 miles from the parking lot to the falls, with an elevation gain of around 700 feet. My height-averse child approves of this hike, though there are a few places where the drop is slightly steep, so it’s still important to keep a close eye on the youngest hikers. With the water bubbling beside you on the walk to the falls, the whole experience is lovely, not just the destination.
Just before you reach the falls, the trail forks. Our first time hiking this trail, we split up at the fork to delight my youngest who brought walkie-talkies. The lower trail is more beautiful, so if you’re not interested in saying, “I see you, over,” ad nauseam out of great love for your child, I recommend taking the lower fork both there and back.
There are always kids splashing in the water near the falls, so wear or bring gear appropriate for puddle stomping. Don’t forget to pack a picnic. I usually climb on a rock to enjoy my snack and the view. Even if it’s crowded, there’s plenty of space to stay a while.
There’s not plenty of parking, though. We typically park on a nearby road and walk down to the trailhead. If you are using the lot, you’ll need a NW Forest Pass or pay $5 to park. There is a portable toilet on site year-round. Dogs are welcome on leash, and our golden retriever navigated the rocks just fine. This is a popular spot, so get there early, but because of the almost two-mile hike, it won’t be nearly as crowded as more easily accessible waterfalls. It takes just under an hour and forty-five minutes to drive from Portland to Cascade Locks, and we typically spend about two hours there. This means that if you leave early enough, you’ll have a superlative experience over the span of a morning, and you can be back in time for naptime.
It’s hard to overstate the beauty of Wahclella Falls. Even after seeing well over a dozen waterfalls in their short lifetimes, my kids are still wowed by this one.
Hardy Falls, Rodney Falls, and Pool of the Winds
This is another one of my favorites. The real showstopper is the wooden bridge near the falls — the one that always makes me stop for a photo.
Pool of the Winds is the kind of destination kids remember, too: a short spur trail leads you to a railing beside the falls, where you can feel the spray (a full sensory experience!) and look into the deep pool below.
What I like most about this outing is that it offers a lot of excitement in a relatively short distance. You get forest, bridges, multiple waterfall moments and that very satisfying sense of being in your very own adventure movie when you cross the wooden bridge. The trailhead also has restrooms, picnic tables and even a playground. You need a Discover Pass to park here, so be sure to go prepared.
Dry Creek Falls
Dry Creek Falls is for families who are ready for a little more mileage but still want a very attainable hike. The out-and-back via the Pacific Crest Trail is roughly 4.4 to 4.6 miles, and while that is long enough to feel substantial, the route is generally considered family-friendly, and definitely feels that way to me.
What I love about Dry Creek Falls is that it feels quieter and woodsy in a way that really earns the destination. This is not a “hop out of the car and there’s the waterfall” situation. You walk beside the creek, through the forest, and then you get a lovely falls at the end, which makes the whole outing feel pleasantly immersive. Parking is limited and the approach road can be narrow and gravelly, so this is another good one to do earlier in the day.
Bridal Veil Falls
I’ve only hiked Bridal Veil once, but it’s a huge staff favorite here because it’s less than a mile round trip, and there are no steep and dangerous drop-offs.
From the parking lot, there are actually two short hikes: the paved half-mile Overlook Trail with beautiful Columbia River views, and the less-than-1-mile round-trip trail down to Bridal Veil Falls itself. That makes it a great choice for a mixed-age group, see how you feel kind of adventure — you can keep it very easy, or add just a little more if you feel up to it.
Trail of Ten Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls is the overachiever of this list. It is spectacular, ambitious and worth it, but I would only put it in the “kid-friendly” category with the important caveat that this depends entirely on your kids and your snack supply. The full loop is about 7.6 to 7.8 miles with around 1,184 feet of elevation gain, though there are cutoff trails that can shorten the day. I did the full loop with my kids when they were in early elementary school, but you can absolutely just visit one or two falls and turn around. The first falls is one of the best to experience, and it’s easily accessible from the ample parking lot.
That said, if your family is up for it, the full hike is absurdly rewarding. Ten waterfalls! Multiple chances to walk behind them! Actual sustained wonder!
Also worth knowing: dogs are not allowed on the Canyon Trail portion of the route, so this is not the outing for your four-legged family members.
Love this list?
Find even more adventures here!
Readers also recommend Dougan Falls.