Oregon and Washington have hundreds of named waterfalls, many wrapped in moss and ferns. The rainy climate that makes them green also gives photographers the soft, overcast light waterfalls love.
When
- Late autumn through spring (November–May): the rainy season keeps creeks full. Snowmelt adds flow in April–June in the Cascades.
- Autumn brings bigleaf maple color to the Columbia River Gorge.
- Late summer can reduce smaller falls to trickles; big snow-fed falls keep running.
Where
- Columbia River Gorge: a dense chain of falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway, including Multnomah, Horsetail and Wahkeena Falls. Some trails have changed since wildfires and landslides; check status before you go.
- Silver Falls State Park, Oregon: a trail behind multiple falls.
- McKenzie and Willamette headwaters in the Oregon Cascades.
- Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.
Browse waterfalls in Oregon and Washington — every page has a sun-path diagram showing when direct sun hits the falls.
Technique
- Overcast days are ideal; avoid bright sun on white water.
- A polarizer removes glare from wet leaves and rocks and saturates green.
- 0.5–2 s exposures for silky water; see the waterfall guide.
- Include moss, ferns and creek boulders as foreground.
Staying dry
Spray soaks gear quickly at big falls. Use a rain cover, wipe the lens between frames and keep a dry bag for spare cloths. See protecting gear in rain and cold.
About 1 min read · Updated 2026-10-20