Ramona Falls TrailA Fairytale Hike on Mt. Hood

The Ramona Falls Trail is the kind of hike people drive all the way to Oregon for: a gentle 7.1-mile loop through old-growth forest along the Sandy River in Mt. Hood Wilderness, climbing a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail with surprise views of Mt. Hood before ending at a 120-foot waterfall that fans across columnar basalt like lace. It’s one of the best day hikes near Portland, and it’s popular for a reason. But the Sandy River crossing is no joke, and knowing when to go, and when to turn back, is the difference between a perfect day and a dangerous one.

Why Hike the Ramona Falls Trail?

Ramona Falls sits at roughly 3,580 feet on the west side of Mt. Hood, tucked into a pocket of old-growth forest that feels untouched. The waterfall itself is what draws most people: a 120-foot cascade that splits into a horsetail pattern as it tumbles over broken basalt columns before gathering again at the base. Of all the waterfalls in Oregon, it’s one of the few that rewards the effort of the hike with something genuinely unique to look at.

The grade is famously gentle. You climb just over a thousand feet across seven miles, which means most of the trail feels almost flat. You pass through Douglas fir, hemlock, and cedar. Rhododendrons bloom thick in early summer. In fall, vine maples turn orange along a wall of andesite cliffs that the trail traces on the way back. And on clear days, the summit of Mt. Hood rises directly above the Sandy River valley, framed almost too perfectly by the trees.

Getting to the Ramona Falls Trailhead

The Ramona Falls Trailhead is about a 75-minute drive from downtown Portland. From US-26 east, take the Zigzag exit and turn left (north) onto Lolo Pass Road (Forest Road 18). Follow it for roughly 4 miles, then turn right onto Forest Road 1825 (also signed as Muddy Fork Road). Cross the bridge and continue until you reach a junction. Bear left onto Forest Road 1825-100 for about 0.3 miles, then left again onto Forest Road 1825-024. The parking lot opens up after another 0.2 miles.

Do You Need a Pass to Park at Ramona Falls?

Yes. A Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or an America the Beautiful Pass is required to park at the trailhead. There’s a kiosk at the lot where you can buy a day pass, but it’s been known to be broken, so buy online in advance to be safe.

You also need a free self-issued wilderness permit from May 15 to October 15. These are at the permit station about a quarter mile from the trailhead. Fill one out, drop the stub in the box, and keep the other half with you.

The Hike: Step-by-Step

Two trails leave the parking lot, and they meet up about a quarter mile in. The official start is the one next to the wooden trailhead sign. Past the sign you’ll pass a memorial plaque for a hiker who died at the Sandy River crossing. It’s worth pausing to read the safety notes there. The trail keeps right at the junction and rolls gently through sandy forest before reaching the river at about the 1.5-mile mark.

1. Trailhead to Sandy River (1.5 mi)

A mostly level, sandy trail under Douglas fir and lodgepole pine. You can hear the Sandy River long before you see it. The path parallels the riverbank until you reach the crossing.

2. Sandy River Crossing

There is no bridge. The seasonal Forest Service footbridge washed out in 2014 and has not been replaced. You’ll need to find a stable logjam to walk across or wade. More on this below. It’s the most important part of the hike to get right.

3. Sandy River to PCT Junction (0.5 mi)

Once across, the trail climbs gently out of the floodplain and into forest. You’ll hit the junction that starts the lollipop loop. Either direction works. Going right (counterclockwise) on the PCT sets up a more cinematic arrival at the falls.

4. PCT to Ramona Falls (2 mi)

This stretch follows the Pacific Crest Trail high above the Sandy River. Rhododendrons dominate the understory, spectacular in June. Occasional clearings deliver clean Mt. Hood views. The last half mile is the only section that feels remotely steep, and then the trees drop away and you’re at the base of the falls.

5. Ramona Falls

A wooden footbridge crosses Ramona Creek directly below the falls. It’s the best viewing spot. Stay behind the ropes protecting the vegetation. Pack a snack. Expect a ten-degree temperature drop.

6. Return Via Ramona Creek (2.5 mi)

From the footbridge, the Ramona Falls Trail heads back downhill alongside Ramona Creek, which cascades over mossy stones the whole way. A wall of pink-and-gray andesite cliffs rises on your right at the base of Yocum Ridge. The trail rejoins the PCT, then the Sandy River Trail, and brings you back to the river crossing and the parking lot.

Best Time to Hike Ramona Falls

Late July through early October is the sweet spot. The Sandy River is at its lowest, wildflowers are still going, and the weather is reliably dry. Early summer (June) delivers the heaviest rhododendron blooms but also the highest and most dangerous river levels from snowmelt and glacial runoff. Spring is a no-go. Winter snow closes the access road and covers the trail.

“In late summer and early fall, Ramona Falls is one of the finest day hikes on Mt. Hood. In spring, the river crossing can turn it into a rescue call.”

Is the Ramona Falls Trail Open?

Technically, yes. The trail itself doesn’t close seasonally. But Lolo Pass Road and the forest roads leading to the trailhead are often unplowed and impassable in winter, and the river crossing is unsafe during high water. The realistic hiking window runs from late May through mid-October. Before heading out, check the Mt. Hood National Forest alerts page for any active closures from wildfire, storm damage, or trail work.

What to Pack

Beyond the usual ten essentials, three items make a real difference on this trail. Waterproof footwear or camp sandals for the river crossing if you end up wading. Trekking poles for balance on the logs. Even confident hikers hesitate there. And plenty of water: the forest looks lush but the trail gets hot and exposed on the sandy sections, and there are no reliable sources to filter along the way until Ramona Creek itself.

Ramona Falls Loop or Out-and-Back?

Both cover roughly the same distance, so the loop is the obvious choice. You get different scenery each way. Counterclockwise (right at the junction, onto the PCT) gives you a cleaner approach to the falls with more Mt. Hood views. Clockwise (left at the junction, up Ramona Creek) puts the creek-side walk first, which is shadier on hot days. Either direction works.

Extending the Hike: Paradise Park & Timberline

Strong hikers can turn Ramona Falls into a longer day or overnight by continuing past the falls on the Timberline Trail. A popular extension climbs another 2,000 feet up to Paradise Park, a subalpine wildflower meadow on Mt. Hood’s southwest flank with postcard views of the mountain, roughly 12 miles round trip from the Ramona Falls Trailhead. For a multi-day option, the Timberline Trail makes a 40-mile loop around the entire mountain, passing Ramona Falls and ending (or starting) at Timberline Lodge.

That said, the Ramona Falls Trail itself isn’t set up for backpacking. Camping is not allowed within 500 feet of the falls, and the Sandy River crossing is hard enough with a day pack. If you want to make it an overnight, Ramona Falls works better as a rest stop within a larger Timberline Trail itinerary than as a base camp.

Camping Near Ramona Falls

There’s no campground at the Ramona Falls Trailhead, but three Forest Service campgrounds are within a short drive and make good bases for a Mt. Hood weekend. Lost Creek Campground is the closest (about 15 minutes away) with vault toilets and potable water. Riley Horse Camp is next door, equestrian-focused but open to regular campers. Trillium Lake Campground, a bit further east, is the most popular because of the lake and its perfect Mt. Hood reflection view; book well ahead on Recreation.gov in summer.

Nearby Hikes & Things to Do

If the river crossing is too high or you want to explore more of the area, these trails share the same corner of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. They’re all within about an hour’s drive of the Ramona Falls Trailhead.

Frequently Asked Questions