Is Paulina Falls the best waterfall near Bend? I’d never want to keep you waiting: it was my favorite of those we visited.
Here is why: we loved Tumalo Falls, but the crowds were horrendous. Tamolitch (Blue Pool) was a complete letdown—it was too far of a drive and the waterfall wasn’t even running when we went in the summer. Paulina Falls, on the other hand, we enjoyed every minute.
And yes, we missed a few waterfalls in the area, but you can read all about those in our full waterfall guide linked below.
Read more: Waterfall Guide in Central Oregon
Why we chose Paulina Falls
- Location & Day-Trip Potential: It sits inside the caldera right next to Paulina Peak, Paulina Lake, and the Big Obsidian Flow Trail. Plus, you can easily swing by La Pine State Park on the drive back to Bend. It makes an incredible half- or full-day loop.
- It constantly tops lists of things to do around Bend, and (spoiler) the pictures actually matched reality.
- Waterfalls are amazing.
What made Paulina Falls a Favorite?
- We had the whole place to ourselves: We lucked out when we visited. Having an entire spot to yourself is practically unheard of for anything we visited near Bend. To be fair, it was a Monday and we arrived at 9 a.m., but still.
- Short and sweet trail: There are two main viewing areas. One at the top of the falls and another a short walk to the bottom. There is technically a third viewpoint, but it’s accessed via a longer trail near the Paulina Lake parking area and on the opposite side of the falls.
- The twin drops: There are two side-by-side falls tumbling over the volcanic rock wall.
- Close access: While we don’t recommend it, if you really wanted to climb closer to the Falls, it is possible, though you’ll have to climb over a barrier and rocks to get there.
- Pure scenery: The falls themselves were beautiful.
The Downsides of Paulina Falls
While we didn’t experience anything that would deter us from visiting, there are a few logistical items to keep in mind:
- Small parking area: The parking area seems to hold only about 30 cars. If you arrive during a crowded weekend or mid-afternoon, finding a spot could be a challenge.
- Narrow paths and small decks: The trail itself is a narrow single track, making passing other hikers a bit awkward, and the viewing platforms at the top and bottom are fairly compact. Because of this, we strongly recommend going early in the morning.
Would we go back?
We’d love to see the falls in the winter. A local recommended it to us after having a magical experience there. While the road into the caldera closes seasonally, you can still reach it via snowshoes or cross-country skis starting from Ten Mile Sno-Park.
Know Before you Go
- Trail Stats/Difficulty: Around 0.5 miles round-trip with roughly 100 feet of elevation gain (easy/moderate dirt switchbacks to the bottom).
- Passes & Fees: Requires a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass
- Waterfall Height: Approximately 80-foot drop
- Amenities: Vault restrooms & picnic tables at trailhead