A strenuous 7-mile round trip in Mount Hood Wilderness with a mandatory river crossing and hazardous glacial current; recreation pass and wilderness permit required.
Recreation Pass required May 1–Oct 31; free self-issued wilderness permit required May 15–Oct 15
Ramona Falls is a strenuous 7-mile round trip in Mount Hood Wilderness. A recreation pass is required; a free self-issued wilderness permit is required May 15–Oct. 15. The official hazard is a mandatory river crossing through glacial water with strong current and no bridge—this is the defining challenge.
This outing suits experienced wilderness hikers comfortable assessing and navigating river safety. The USFS site details the crossing hazard; confirm conditions before committing. The wilderness permit and seasonal timing add planning complexity beyond a typical waterfall walk.
Permits are required May 15–Oct. 15; water flow is typically highest in late spring/early summer, but the glacial river crossing is most hazardous during peak melt.
four to five hours
you are uncomfortable with river crossings, or the glacial current seems unsafe during your visit (check USFS conditions).
Recreation Pass required May 1–Oct 31; free self-issued wilderness permit required May 15–Oct 15
Via a 7-mile round-trip trail rated strenuous by the managing agency.
We track 17 waterfalls in Oregon Cascades.
fs.usda.gov
USFS Mt. Hood National Forest official recreation site page, checked Aug 2026; hikers must cross a glacial river with strong current and no bridge — an official safety notice on the page
Checked August 2026.