Details
Region: Mt Hood
Location: West side of Mt Hood at the end of Kiwanis Camp Rd (Road 39) just past Kiwanis Camp (83500 Kiwanis Camp Rd, Rhododendron, OR 97049)
DEN Rating: 9/10
Trail Length: 1 mile total
Trail Type: out and back
Hike Time: 10-15 minutes to falls
Trail Difficulty: easy 2/10
Elevation Gain: 101 feet
Trail Surface: dirt, a few rocks and roots
Popularity: 7/10
Family friendly: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Handicapped Accessible: yes to picnic tables, no to falls
Swimming: no
Camping: backpack campsites beyond falls
Restroom: portable toilet during summer high season, may be removed during winter low season.
Open Hours: 24 hours
Season: Year round, snow possible November – March.
Pass or Permit: NW Forest Pass or $5 day use pass required during summer high season
Managed By: US Forest Service
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Little Zigzag Falls offers a surprisingly easy and short trail to a pretty waterfall on the west slopes of Mt Hood. The falls themselves skip down two rounded steps, totaling just over 40 feet. The falls collects logs, so you’ll see them poking out from the cascades. The falls itself is very scenic, with mossy banks and some cool twisting tree roots surrounding it. A well-placed bench gives a spot to relax and enjoy the pretty scene.
A ropy web of tree roots imitates the shape of Little Zigzag Falls behind them on a sunlit day in Mt Hood National Forest, Oregon.
Imitation Is Flattery
A ropy web of tree roots echoes the shape of Little Zigzag Falls behind them on a sunlit day as the crystalline water dances down through Mt Hood National Forest. Little Zigzag Falls is consistently beautiful and accessible throughout the year and is always worth a visit! To find out more about Little Zigzag Falls: … Read more
The hike to the falls is especially nice on a hot summer day. Little Zigzag River is fed by springs and snowmelt coming off Mt Hood. As such, the water is always extremely cold, which in turn keeps the little forested canyon nice and cool. In addition the hike is quick and feels nearly flat except for a few short but noticeable inclines, making it perfect for families, small dogs, and folks with limited mobility. Rhododendrons bloom trailside in early summer. Some scramble trails continue upstream above the falls.
While this hike is at its peak in summer it’s actually pretty doable in the winter, especially after a few warmer days. We visited in February 2023 and made the hike fairly easily and without snowshoes or spikes – there was a few inches of snow around but not enough to make accessing the falls hard. We were not alone on the trail or at the falls. The road is plowed to the nearby Kiwanis Camp, and will likely be clear/passable in an average passenger car all the way to parking area a few days after a snowfall event.
I really like Little Zigzag Falls – it’s an easy, cool hike to a very scenic waterfall. If you’re looking to get out in nature but don’t want to or cannot put a lot of physical effort in, or if you’re looking for a nice spot to beat the summer heat, this is an outstanding choice!
Cautions
The only real caution here is that Little Zigzag River is extremely cold and swift, especially right below the falls. Keep an eye on children and pets. Just use normal caution when exploring around the falls.
Getting There
From Portland, head east on Hwy 26 (west when coming via Government Camp). Turn north (left when coming from Portland) onto Kiwanis Camp Rd (also known as Road 39). The parking area is in an old rock quarry at the end of the paved road, about 3 miles up.
Photographers Tip
The falls face west and are in a fairly deep forest. On sunny days expect a few dots of sunlight peppering the mossy forest floor around the falls – they are normally not a detraction and they shift quickly, and are worst around midday. Mist can become a problem when shooting from a head-on angle near the water. If you’re looking for that wintry waterfall scene, go when the snow is fresh. I visited in winter when it had not snowed for a week or more and the existing snow near it looked patchy, ruddy, and dirty – not the scene I was hoping for.
Itineraries
Looking for an itinerary that includes Little Zigzag Falls? Check out some itinerary options:
Links
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=53414
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/little-zigzag-falls-trail’
https://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/waterfall/Little-Zigzag-Falls-3967
https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Little_Zigzag_Falls_Hike
ihttps://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7022180/little-zigzag-falls-trail-795c
