Best Waterfalls In the Columbia River Gorge To Explore (2024)

Have you been thinking about a trip to see the best waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge? I’ve got you covered!

The Columbia River Gorge is an iconic must-see spot during any trip to the PNW. Regardless of whether you live in Seattle or Portland (or the surrounding areas), or if you’re visiting from somewhere else entirely, the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge attract millions of visitors every year.

Not only are the waterfalls incredibly scenic, but the surrounding areas along the Columbia River Highway make for great hiking and biking amidst a backdrop of enchanting forest landscapes and stunning riverfront views. It’s truly an outdoorsman’s paradise! It honestly one of my favorite recreation areas in all of the Pacific Northwest.

In this blog post, I will share the top 4 best waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge based on my experience during my recent visit. I will also outline some important things to know about visiting the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge including where to stay, when to visit, and how to recreate in this area safely and responsibly. Without further ado, let’s dive into the juicy details!

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This hiking and biking tour of the Columbia River Gorge visits every waterfall on this list!

1. Latourell Falls

Perhaps my favorite waterfall on this list is Latourell Falls, a 249-foot waterfall within Guy W. Talbot State Park along the Columbia River Highway. Not only is it incredibly scenic, but the hiking trails around the falls are great, too!

The Latourell Falls Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike that takes hikers to both the upper and lower sections of the falls. The lower falls are easily accessible via a short path from the parking lot, but you can continue onward to the upper falls for even more great views!

Latourell Falls is popular for the columnar basalt formations, visible behind the face of the waterfall. These basalt columns were formed by ancient volcanic activity, and make for an awesome backdrop to take some epic photos!

This is one of the first waterfalls you’ll come across along the Columbia River Highway, and it’s a popular stopping spot for hiking and biking tours of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Recreation Area.

2. Shepperd’s Dell

Shepperd’s Dell is slightly hidden off the side of the Columbia River Highway, but it’s an easy walk down the path to a viewpoint where you can see the falls and get a unique view of the historic bridge that supports a section of the Columbia River Highway!

The short trail down to the viewpoint leads to a waterfall that cascades down a steep cliff into a creek connected to the Columbia River. The upper falls is roughly 42 feet tall and the lower falls is 50 feet tall. It’s such a cute waterfall and the bridge alone is worth the short walk!

I’d highly recommend stopping here if you enjoy photographing unique architecture and gorgeous waterfall scenery. The parking area is limited, and it’s mostly just a pull off on the side of the road. However, there is a sign signaling the path down to the scenic viewpoint!

3. Multnomah Falls

If you’ve see photos of the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge, you’ve likely seen some stunning shots of Multnomah Falls. This waterfall is arguably the most popular waterfall in all of the Columbia River Gorge, and perhaps even the most popular waterfall in all of the Pacific Northwest! And for good reason… it’s stunning!

With a total height of 620-feet, Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon! It has two tiers, the upper falls (542-feet) and the lower falls (69-feet) with a gorgeous bridge overlook in between. The bridge is known as the Benson Footbridge, and it provides incredible views of the upper falls and surrounding area.

There is also great hiking at Multnomah Falls, including the Multnomah Falls Trail: a 2.2-mile round trip hike that takes hikers to the top of the falls. Remember to stay on trail and do not venture off the path for photos or any other reason. A slip or fall in this area off-trail can be fatal and lead to serious injury or death.

The Multnomah Falls Lodge, built in 1925, is located at the base of the falls. The lodge features a visitor center, gift shop, and a restaurant. Restrooms and other amenities are also available here, but make sure to check the hours before visiting during low season. There is also plenty of parking, too.

4. Wahkeena Falls

Wahkeena Falls is a 242-foot waterfall that’s relatively close to Multnomah Falls along the Columbia River Highway. It doesn’t plummet straight down like Multnomah Falls, but it’s still a fun waterfall to visit in the Columbia River Gorge area.

The cascading effect of the waterfall gives off the appearance of a more subtle, tiered flow and it can be difficult to capture the whole waterfall in one photo because of this. However, I do still recommend stopping at the scenic overlook because it is a gorgeous waterfall to marvel at!

Wahkeena is a word from the Yakama (a tribe native to the Pacific Northwest) language meaning “most beautiful”. Wahkeena Falls is definitely a gorgeous waterfall, so the name makes a lot of sense to me!

The Wahkeena Falls Trail is a popular 2.8-mile hiking route that leads hikers from the base of the falls to the top. The trail is moderately challenging and offers several viewpoints of the falls and the surrounding landscape. Make sure to wear hiking footwear with ankle support for this trail.

Where to Stay When Visiting Columbia River Gorge

If you’re planning a trip to visit the best waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Recreation Area, there are a few spots where I’d recommend staying nearby.

One option is to plan to stay in Portland and do a self-guided day trip or an organized tour to visit the Columbia River Gorge. All of the waterfalls on this list are relatively close to Portland, and it takes less than 45 minutes to drive to the Columbia River Gorge from downtown Portland. If you do plan to stay in Portland, you can find an abundance of hotels and vacation rentals in the downtown Portland/metropolitan area. I absolutely adore KEX Hotel, The Benson, and The Heathman Hotel!

There are also several lodges, cabins, and B&Bs located near the Columbia River Gorge area. You can use the interactive map below to see what options are available near the Columbia River Gorge, and I’ve also included a bulleted list below of a few different options depending on your budget and interests.

• Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa: Located in Hood River, Oregon, this historic hotel offers luxurious accommodations with views of the Columbia River (plus it has a spa!).
• Skamania Lodge: Situated in Stevenson, Washington, Skamania Lodge provides upscale lodging and amenities, including a golf course and spa, with scenic views of the Gorge!
• McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge: This hotel is situated along the Columbia River and provides great views of the waterfront!
• Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn: Located in Cascade Locks, Oregon, this hotel offers comfortable rooms and convenient access to nearby attractions.

Other Waterfalls to Visit in Columbia River Gorge

Aside from the waterfalls on this list, there are dozens of other stunning waterfalls to visit during your time exploring the Columbia River Gorge. Some other waterfalls to add to your list include Bridal Veil Falls, Horsetail Falls, Fairy Falls, and Elowah Falls!

All of the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge area are simply stunning. Keep your eyes peeled for some “surprise” waterfalls that sometimes form after or during a rainstorm–these aren’t necessarily full-fledged permanent waterfalls but they sometimes appear when there is heavy rain pour off of a cliffside! These types of “impromptu waterfalls” can sometimes cause rocks to dislodge and lead to unsafe conditions below, so please enjoy their beauty from afar at a safe distance.

Safety Tips for visiting the waterfalls in Columbia River Gorge

When planning your visit to see the best waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Always make sure to stay on designated trails, be mindful of your footing, and respect the barriers and signage around the viewpoints and trail systems. Signage is there for your safety and the safety of the ecosystem and wildlife present in those areas.

Additionally, you should always stay away from wildlife in general and keep at a safe distance from the waterfalls. Do not climb the rocks at the waterfalls, and don’t enter any pools of fast-moving water or climb underneath falling water.

I’d also recommend packing a rain jacket, an emergency blanket, and extra water or snacks in case the weather changes unexpectedly while out on the trail.

You should also always aim to Leave No Trace, one of the key set of principles for exploring the outdoors. If you want to learn more about the importance of LNT principles, check out this awesome resource on the subject.

FAQs About the Waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge

How many waterfalls are in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Recreation Area?

The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Recreation Area is home to 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side alone, and even more if you factor in all of the waterfalls on the Washington side of the Gorge! Some of the most famous waterfalls include Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horsetail Falls. The abundance of waterfalls is due to the unique geology and high rainfall of the area, which create ideal conditions for waterfalls to form.

This resource is a great guide to some of the most popular waterfalls near the Vista House on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, and it shares some interesting facts about the different types of waterfall formations, as well!

What is the tallest waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge?

The tallest waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge is Multnomah Falls! It has a total height of 620 vertical feet and it’s stunning. Multnomah Falls is not only the tallest waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge but also the tallest waterfall in Oregon!

How far away is Multnomah Falls from Portland?

Multnomah Falls is located 30-miles from Portland, with a drive time of about 35-45 minutes depending on traffic. It’s a gorgeous scenic drive along the Columbia River Highway, so be sure to make a couple pit stops to see other waterfalls and pretty scenery from the Vista House!

How far away is Multnomah Falls from Mount Hood?

Multnomah Falls is roughly 70-miles away from Mount Hood, and it makes a great day trip if you’re already in the Mount Hood area! To drive to Multnomah Falls from Mount Hood, you’re looking at a 1.5-hour car ride, though it is one of the most scenic driving routes in the area!

How far away is Multnomah Falls from Seattle?

Multnomah Falls is about 195-miles south of Seattle, WA. It might be a bit too far of a drive for a day trip when you calculate the roundtrip drive time, but it could make for a great overnight trip or weekend trip from Seattle! It takes between 3-3.5 hours to drive to Multnomah Falls from Seattle.

When is the best time to visit Columbia River Gorge? Are there seasonal closures?

There really isn’t a “bad time” to visit Columbia River Gorge, it all just depends on what you’re looking to do and see while visiting. I’d say that summer or fall are probably the best times to visit weather-wise but these times of year also bring out the most crowds. If you visit in the winter or spring, temperatures will definitely be colder but you’ll encounter fewer people on the trails and at the scenic viewpoints.

Regarding seasonal closures, some trails and facilities in the Columbia River Gorge may close temporarily due to weather conditions, maintenance, or restoration projects. It’s advisable to check with local authorities or visitor centers for current trail conditions and closures before planning your visit, especially during the winter and early spring months.

Don’t forget to book your hotel or cabin for your trip to the Columbia River Gorge! They book up quickly so be sure to book early to get the best rate for your stay.