Cliff Diving
4 top cliff diving spots in Oregon
No matter your experience level, you can find a place to enjoy the beautiful sights of nature and dive into the bluest of waters.
Staring from a cliff at the water below. Bending your knees. Making a count. Launching yourself to free fall. In what seems like a split second, you’ve made a splash in the water, and you’re now swimming to the surface. Cliff-diving might rank among your favorite activities if you love a good adrenaline rush, and Oregon is home to several great swimming and cliff-jumping spots.
It helps to go into any cliff-diving spot knowing plenty about it. As Red Bull cliff diver Cătălin Preda says, “I care about mental preparation. I work hard to keep my confidence, courage, and composure.” Cliff diving requires all these attributes for a safe and exciting experience.
Catalin Preda at Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series
© Romina Amato / Red Bull Content Pool
In Oregon, you can easily enjoy the thrill that divers including Preda experience as they participate in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Below are four of the top cliff diving spots in Oregon for when you want to experience some of the excitement.
01
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake, located in Southern Oregon, is the deepest lake in the United States. It’s surrounded by a thick green forest and dozens of overlooks. You can hike to these spots and view the scenic sights of the deep blue water below. A hike of about one mile along the Cleetwood Cove Trail takes you directly to the lake.
To the far right of the lake area is a 35-foot-high cliff where you can take in the views before jumping into the water. After your hike, you can stay overnight at the Crater Lake Lodge and pick up where you left off the next day.
02
Tamolitch Pool (Blue Pool)
Tamolitch Pool, also known as Blue Pool, is located deep in the Willamette National Forest. Underground springs feed the pool, and a lush forest of evergreen trees surrounds this swimming hole and its crystal-clear blue water. Though the cliffs can range between 10 and 60 feet tall, you can find the best area for jumping about 20 feet above the water. Here, there are fewer large rocks and smaller cliffs getting in your way of a deep dive.
You can choose between two trailheads to get to the pool. The Tamolitch Trailhead runs along the Mackenzie River, so you can enjoy breathtaking views as you’re making the two-mile trek toward your diving spot. The other trailhead starts at the Carmen Reservoir and spans just over three miles. Either before or after your cliff diving experience, you can enjoy some of Willamette National Forest’s other activities, including a recreation trail and several campgrounds.
03
Steelhead Falls
Located roughly 45 minutes north of Bend, Steelhead Falls is a secluded area that runs along the Deschutes River. Its colorful cliffs are between 25 and 30 feet high and are perfect for an adrenaline-filled jump. They also offer stunning views of the river valley. A 20-foot waterfall sends white water cascading near your launch.
When you’re done diving for the day, inside the canyon lies a hiking trail that’s mostly ideal for beginners. A few steep areas and random turns give you just enough of a manageable challenge. Another trail near the waterfall also offers deeper pools that are great for fishing. Hatchery steelhead and brown and rainbow trout are all resident swimmers in these waters.
04
Brice Creek Falls
Running through the Cascade Mountains and located just under an hour south of Eugene, Brice Creek Falls is a top Oregon cliff-diving spot. This area offers both sunny and shaded areas, giving you options for sunbathing and cooling off during the warmer months.
The cliffs at this spot vary in height, so you can feel comfortable whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced cliff jumper. The Brice Creek Trail that leads to this spot is well-maintained and makes for an easy hike. On your way to this diving spot, you’ll find a separate swimming hole too. The Cedar Creek Campground is also located near the falls, so you can plan for some early morning dives or wind down after drying off.
Diving into the waters of the Beaver State
Oregon is home to plenty of spectacular spots for cliff diving. No matter your experience level, you can find a place to enjoy the beautiful sights of nature and dive into the bluest of waters. While you’re enjoying your day in the water, take a cue from the athletes participating in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
“I have experience, I have confidence, I have courage, I have vision,” Preda says. “I build towards progress, as I have done so far - if today I am better than I was yesterday, by however little, I do things my way. Every day is a day in which I build towards 'higher'.”
The more you follow Preda’s lead and seek thrills at the top cliff-diving spots in Oregon, the more you’ll build toward your own peak too. So get out there and start diving — the views and adventure are waiting for you.