9 Best Waterfall Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

From roadside viewpoints to cliffside canyon trails, these nine options cover the Gorge's best-known waterfalls and the access details that matter before you go.

Trail and closure information was last checked on August 25, 2026. The parking and timed-use permit details below, plus the Historic Highway State Trail connection noted under Dry Creek Falls, were rechecked on October 9, 2026. This agency-based guide is not a firsthand trail review.

Wahkeena Falls above a stone bridge in the Columbia River Gorge

The stone path and bridge at Wahkeena Falls can stay wet from spray, even though they are only a short walk from the road. Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives · CC BY 4.0 · cropped, resized and lightly exposure-adjusted

PARKING AND PERMITS – checked October 9, 2026. The 2026 Multnomah Falls timed-use permit for private vehicles using I-84 Exit 31 ran May 22 through September 7; it did not guarantee parking. Oregon State Parks lists a day-use parking permit at Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint and the Latourell Falls Trailhead at Guy W. Talbot State Park. Trail and closure information elsewhere in this guide was not rechecked in this permit update. Check the official pages before you go.

Check before you go: Columbia River Gorge alerts · Multnomah Falls · Wahclella Falls Trail #436 · Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail #440

Quick picks

If you're looking for…	Try this
The classic landmark	Multnomah Falls
A short canyon hike	Wahclella Falls
Several waterfalls on one trail	Eagle Creek, if you are comfortable with narrow ledges
A waterfall loop	Latourell Falls
A roadside stop with a hiking option	Horsetail Falls, then Ponytail Falls if you want to keep hiking

Before you choose a waterfall hike

The most famous waterfall is not always the best choice for the day. Check these five things before you choose.

Make sure both the trail and trailhead are open. An accessible roadside viewpoint does not necessarily mean the connecting trail is open.
Decide how much hiking you want: a roadside viewpoint, a short canyon walk, a loop, or a longer exposed route.
Check parking fees, passes, and timed-entry rules. Even a short, easy walk may require advance planning.
Consider recent rain, ice, debris, and water levels, especially if anyone in the group is uncomfortable on slick ground.
Choose a backup that uses a different trailhead, so the same closure or full parking area does not ruin both plans.

Four-step waterfall hike decision flowchart

Before choosing a waterfall hike, check what is open, how far you want to walk, where you will park, and how slick the trail may be. Original graphic by the editorial team. For comparison only; not a navigational map.

Compare the waterfall hikes

Trail	Effort	Highlights	Know before you go
Multnomah Falls	Viewpoint or 2.4-mile hike	Famous waterfall and historic lodge	Decide whether you are stopping at the plaza, bridge, or top
Wahclella Falls	2.4 miles	A short canyon hike	Wet trail and a small parking area
Latourell Falls	Mileage varies by loop	Lower and upper falls	Check the park map and storm-damage notices
Bridal Veil Falls	Short	A short state-park walk	Expect stairs and slick surfaces
Lower Punchbowl	About 3.6 miles or more	A shorter Eagle Creek destination	Narrow ledges make it harder than the mileage suggests
Upper Eagle Creek	Long	Multiple falls	Pick a turnaround before you start
Dry Creek Falls	Moderate	Forest waterfall reached from the PCT	Check PCT access and connecting-trail status
Coopey Falls	Part of the Angel's Rest climb	A waterfall feature on a viewpoint hike	Best paired with the Angel's Rest viewpoint hike
Horsetail / Ponytail	Roadside view or short climb	Roadside falls with an optional trail extension	Wet footing, steep edges, and changing loop conditions

Use this table as a starting point, then check the official trail page for current conditions.

Choose between a quick view and a longer hike

Some Gorge waterfalls are visible within minutes of the parking area; others require miles of hiking. At Multnomah Falls, you can stop at the plaza or climb all the way to the top. Wahclella takes more trail time but remains a manageable half-day outing. Eagle Creek offers several waterfall turnarounds, but its narrow ledges make it a much more demanding choice.

The list includes quick viewpoints, shorter walks, loops, and longer canyon hikes. Mileage depends on your turnaround point and any current reroutes, so check the agency map before you go.

The 9 Waterfall Hikes

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is the Gorge's best-known waterfall. You can stop at the lower viewpoint, continue to Benson Bridge, or hike the 2.4-mile round trip to the top. From May 22 through September 7, 2026, private vehicles arriving from I-84 Exit 31 needed a timed-use permit; the permit did not guarantee parking.

Wahclella Falls

Wahclella Falls follows Tanner Creek into a narrow, rock-walled canyon. The Forest Service lists the hike at 2.4 miles round trip, with a $5 day-use fee or valid recreation pass.

Latourell Falls loop

Latourell Falls is a good choice when you want more than a roadside waterfall stop. The loop links the tall lower falls with forest and the upper falls. Check the current Oregon State Parks map and any storm-damage notices before committing to the full loop.

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil offers a short walk to the falls plus a separate overlook trail. It works well for a lighter outing, though the stairs and wet surfaces can still be slippery.

Bridal Veil Falls trailhead sign pointing to the falls and overlook loop

The sign at Bridal Veil points to two separate walks: the short trail to the falls and the overlook loop. Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped, resized and lightly exposure-adjusted

Eagle Creek to Lower Punchbowl

The Lower Punchbowl spur begins 1.8 miles along Eagle Creek Trail #440. Even this shorter destination involves exposed ledges, cable-assisted sections, and basalt that becomes slick when wet.

Eagle Creek farther up-canyon

Punch Bowl, Loowit, and Tunnel Falls sit progressively farther up the canyon. Plan each destination as its own hike, choose a firm turnaround time, and confirm that every section is open. Do not turn a Lower Punchbowl outing into a much longer day on impulse.

Dry Creek Falls

Dry Creek Falls is commonly reached from the Pacific Crest Trail near Cascade Locks and can be a moderate alternative to the busier waterfall corridor. Confirm the exact access route before leaving. The separate Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail between Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks reopened after cleanup of a December 2025 landslide, according to Oregon DOT’s current project update, checked October 9, 2026. Debris may still be present, especially after storms. Check current trail notices before using that connection; do not treat its status as confirmation of PCT access to Dry Creek Falls.

Coopey Falls via Angel's Rest

The Angel's Rest trail passes above Coopey Falls on the way to the viewpoint. This route makes sense when the Gorge panorama is the main goal and the waterfall is a feature along the way, rather than the destination itself.

Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls

Horsetail Falls is visible from the roadside. If conditions are good and the group is comfortable with wet footing and steep edges, continue up Trail #438 toward Ponytail Falls. Decide how far you plan to go before starting, and check the longer loop separately; access to the lower falls does not mean every connecting trail is open.

Bright Columbia River Gorge view from the Horsetail Falls hiking route

The trail above Horsetail Falls opens to broad Gorge views, but exposed sections still call for careful footing and good judgment. Photo: Anna Del Savio · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped, resized and lightly exposure-adjusted

When to go

Winter and spring usually bring stronger flow, along with shorter daylight, ice, debris, and storm closures. On cold mornings, spray can freeze on shaded sections of trail. Summer usually means drier footing, but also more crowds, lower water flow, fire restrictions, and hotter climbs.

Higher flow is not always better. After heavy rain, streams can rise quickly, slopes may shed rocks or trees, and creek crossings can become unsafe. Check agency alerts, and turn around if conditions no longer match what you expected.

Staying safe around waterfalls

Wear shoes that grip well on wet rock, and pack a dry layer in a waterproof bag. Download the official map, choose a turnaround time, and keep children and dogs away from unprotected edges and fast-moving water. Do not climb on logs, enter closed side trails, or stand beneath unstable overhangs for a photo.

Dogs must be leashed at Eagle Creek, but a leash does not make the narrow ledges safe. During the 2026 permit period, the Multnomah Falls timed-use permit covered entry from I-84; it did not reserve a parking space. Never wait in a travel lane or create your own roadside parking spot.

Frequently asked questions

Which waterfall hike is easiest? A visit to the lower viewpoint at Multnomah Falls or one of the short state-park waterfall walks usually involves less walking and climbing than a full loop. Check the official page for accessibility details and current surface conditions.

Which waterfall hike is best for a half day? Wahclella Falls is one of the simplest choices when the trail is open and parking is available.

Can I see several waterfalls in one day? Yes. The simplest approach is to make separate short stops with legal parking rather than trying to improvise a trail connection. Leave plenty of time for driving and finding a space.

Sources and update notes

Trail details in this guide come from the public agencies linked below. Mileage and elevation can vary with reroutes, side trips, turnaround points, and GPS methods. Trail and closure information was last checked on August 25, 2026. The Multnomah Falls timed-use permit, Oregon State Parks parking permits, and the Historic Highway State Trail connection noted under Dry Creek Falls were rechecked on October 9, 2026. Check the relevant agency pages before you go. This is an independently researched guide, not a firsthand trail review.

Photo credits and licenses

Wahkeena Falls, Historic Columbia River Highway, Columbia River Gorge.jpg — Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives. Source file · CC BY 4.0 · Cropped, resized and lightly exposure-adjusted for this layout.
Trailhead at Bridal Veil Falls in the Columbia Gorge 01.jpg — Joe Mabel. Source file · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped, resized and lightly exposure-adjusted for this layout.
Columbia Gorge from Horsetail Falls Hike, Oregon – Anna Del Savio.jpg — Anna Del Savio. Source file · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped, resized and lightly exposure-adjusted for this layout.
Waterfall hike checklist graphic — Editorial team. Original graphic created for this guide using the cited official information; not a navigational map, GPS track or measured elevation profile.