Cedar Mill Falls - A waterfall in Beaverton!

I recently shared on Instagram that it took me over 8 years of living in the Beaverton area to find out we have a waterfall within city limits. I was shocked at how many people reached out saying they also had no idea!

Cedar Mill Falls in early November - photo taken from viewing platform off boardwalk

You can find some information on Cedar Mill Falls online (Google Maps is the best bet), but it seems like many people have never heard of it. Since I received so many questions on it, I thought I'd make a quick write-up of how best to access the falls.

How to See Cedar Mill Falls

The best place to park is at the NE corner of the Cedar Mill Bible Church. It's only a 0.2 mile walk from the parking lot to the falls. I will stress that this is not a hike, but a suburban walk. Part of the charm is that this is one of Oregon's only "urban" waterfalls. If you live or work nearby, it's a great stop to add to your daily walks or runs.

There is a boardwalk near the John Quincy Adams Young house, you can't miss it! Take the boardwalk down to a viewing platform, or follow the (steep) footpath to the base of the falls.

The stairs leading down to the viewing platform from the sidewalk - there is also an accessible boardwalk ramp that leads down to the same platform (near the JQAY House)

Because this is more of a short walk than a hike, I'd recommend combining a stop at the falls with another activity or longer trail. My husband and I have shared many Insomnia Coffee dates, and when the weather's nice, there's nothing better than a casual stroll to a waterfall, iced coffee in hand. You can park at the Cedar Mill Insomnia Coffee, and walk only 0.4 miles to the falls!

A winter walk to the Cedar Mill Falls after brunch at Insomnia Coffee

I also found this AllTrails route that takes you through the Cedar Creek Greenway. It is definitely more of a suburban walk (and has gotten a few negative reviews from people who didn't realize that beforehand), but it's very pretty for a neighborhood trail! We are so fortunate to live in a city with so many green spaces for us to enjoy. Having lived on the east coast for a year, I can tell you that not everyone is so lucky.

I hope this answers all your questions about Beaverton's only waterfall! Let me know if you check it out!

I'll leave you with a video I found of Cedar Mill Falls after a heavy rainstorm - pretty impressive for a suburban waterfall off a busy intersection.