Updated August 2026: Ramona Falls is a roughly seven-mile Mount Hood Wilderness hike to a 120-foot fan waterfall, but the mileage is not the hardest part. The route includes an unbridged crossing of the glacially fed Sandy River, where the channel, depth and current can change quickly. Hikers must be willing to turn around if the crossing is not clearly safe.

This guide covers the trail from Ramona Falls Trailhead, the river-crossing decision, permits, passes and the loop options. For a concise destination overview, see our Ramona Falls waterfall guide. You can also compare it with other routes in our Oregon hiking guide and Oregon waterfall guide.

Photo by Stokes RX via Flickr CC2.

Ramona Falls hike: quick facts

• Distance: About 7 miles round trip from Ramona Falls Trailhead.
• Elevation: Roughly 1,000 feet of gain, from about 2,500 to 3,500 feet.
• Difficulty: Moderate on the maintained trail, but potentially strenuous or impassable when the Sandy River is high.
• Typical snow-free season: Approximately May through October; snow and road conditions can shorten that window.
• Parking pass: A Northwest Forest Pass or accepted federal recreation pass is generally required during the managed season.
• Wilderness permit: A free, self-issued Mount Hood Wilderness permit is required when supplied at the trailhead, generally May 15 through October 15.
• Pets: Keep dogs controlled at all times and do not attempt the river crossing if a pet cannot cross safely.

The Sandy River crossing is the deciding factor

A bridge washed out in 2014 and the crossing remains unbridged. This is a glacial river: flow can rise with warm afternoons, rain or rapid melt, and the safest line can move from one visit to the next. A crossing that looked manageable in an old photo or trip report may not exist when you arrive.

This is what it looked like before the bridge washed and trees fell. (Mitchell Friedman / Flickr)

Do not follow the old advice to rock-hop or search upstream for a log. Stop at the river, assess the actual conditions and turn back if you cannot cross without unacceptable risk. Never cross barefoot, never assume a log is stable and never let social pressure make the decision for you. The waterfall will still be there another day.

Route to Ramona Falls

From Ramona Falls Trailhead, follow the Sandy River Trail for about a mile to the river. After a safe crossing, continue roughly a quarter mile to the Ramona Falls loop. The Pacific Crest Trail overlaps part of this route, so read junction signs carefully instead of relying on cairns or unofficial tracks.

Photo by Pedro Fernandes via Flickr CC2.

Either side of the loop reaches the waterfall, and the distance is similar in each direction. The riverside option feels more open; the creekside option follows cooler forest near Ramona Creek. The full outing gains elevation gradually rather than in one sustained climb, but seven miles, rough tread and the river crossing make it a real half-day hike for most visitors.

Evan Lovely / Flickr

At Ramona Falls, water fans over columnar basalt in many narrow strands. Stay on durable, established surfaces around the viewpoint. Mossy rock, roots and the area immediately beside the falls are easily damaged and can be dangerously slick.

Returning by the loop

To make the hike a loop, return on the opposite side of Ramona Creek and reconnect with the approach route. Pay close attention at Pacific Crest Trail junctions; continuing toward Paradise Park or another Mount Hood route can carry you well away from the trailhead. If signs, snow or trail damage make the route unclear, retrace the way you came.

Michael Klaas / Flickr

Before you leave home

• Check Mount Hood National Forest alerts and the official Ramona Falls trail information.
• Confirm the trailhead road is open and snow-free; do not treat this as a routine winter snowshoe route.
• Carry a downloaded map, layers, water, food and the Ten Essentials. Cell service is unreliable.
• Start early enough to complete the river crossing and route in daylight, but remember that glacial flow can change during the day.
• Leave no trace, keep group size within wilderness limits and keep off fragile ground at the falls.

Bottom line: Ramona Falls is one of Mount Hood’s most memorable waterfall hikes when the trailhead is accessible and the Sandy River can be crossed safely. The correct decision on a questionable day is to turn around.

Keep planning with our complete Oregon hiking guide, our Oregon waterfalls map and guide, and our earlier roundup of beautiful Oregon waterfall hikes.