Cliff Diving & Jumping in Oregon
12 spots across 10 areas. Pick a town to explore, or get the app for the full map.
→ The best cliff jumping spots in Oregon, ranked
Oregon is one of the best cliff jumping states in the country. Around Portland, High Rocks on the Clackamas River is the classic city jump. The Columbia Gorge has Eagle Creek's Punch Bowl Falls (jumping now fined) and Mosier Creek. The crown jewels sit in the Cascades: Opal Creek's Three Pools and Opal Pool, and the McKenzie River's surreal Tamolitch Blue Pool — clear, deep, and dangerously cold. Central Oregon adds Steelhead Falls on the Deschutes near Bend, and the Coast Range hides river holes on the Molalla, Nestucca, and Illinois. Much of this water is snow- and spring-fed and stays frigid, and several gorge spots are closed after accidents — scout first, every time.
Blachly1 spot
Cascade Locks2 spots
Dorena1 spot
Estacada1 spot
Gladstone1 spot
Hood River1 spot
Lyons2 spots
Molalla1 spot
Sisters1 spot
Terrebonne1 spot
Cliff jumping in Oregon — FAQ
What are the best cliff jumping spots in Oregon?
High Rocks (Clackamas River, Gladstone), Opal Creek's Three Pools, the McKenzie's Tamolitch Blue Pool, Steelhead Falls (Deschutes, near Bend), Eagle Creek's Punch Bowl Falls, and Mosier Creek Falls in the Gorge.
Is cliff jumping legal in Oregon?
Many spots are tolerated, but some are explicitly closed to jumping after deaths — Eagle Creek's Punch Bowl Falls carries a fine, for example. Always check current rules and posted signs.
Is the Tamolitch Blue Pool safe to jump?
It's stunning but one of Oregon's most dangerous jumps: the water is shockingly cold (~37°F year-round) and the height plus cold-water shock have caused serious injuries and deaths. Only experienced jumpers should consider it, and never alone.