Multnomah Falls Hike Trail: Best Routes, Tips & Travel Guide

Bridal Veil, OregonATTRACTIONWaterfall

Multnomah Falls is a 620-foot waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge featuring a historic footbridge, a steep hiking trail, and a stone day lodge.

iHighlights

Info

ATTRACTION

Info

Waterfall

Info

1-2 hours

Accessibility

Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

Parking Available

Photography

Photography Allowed

About the Destination

Overview

Multnomah Falls is a 620-foot, two-tiered waterfall located in the Columbia River Gorge. Visitors first arrive at a stone plaza that provides a direct view of the entire waterfall. A short, paved walk leads to the lower viewing deck. From there, the Larch Mountain Trail ascends to the historic Benson Bridge, a concrete footbridge spanning the lower drop. This bridge allows visitors to stand directly above the lower cascade and look up at the 542-foot upper tier. Beyond the bridge, the paved trail continues up 11 switchbacks, climbing approximately 600 feet in elevation to a viewing platform at the top of the falls. The observation deck at the summit offers a downward perspective of the waterfall and extensive views of the Columbia River. At the base of the falls sits the Multnomah Falls Lodge, a historic stone building that houses a restaurant, gift shop, espresso stand, and a US Forest Service visitor center. The surrounding area features old-growth Douglas firs, ferns, and basalt rock cliff faces.

Contact Information

Phone: +1-503-695-2372

Why This Place is Special

• Tallest waterfall in Oregon with a total drop of 620 feet
• Historic 1914 Benson Bridge spanning the lower waterfall tier
• Larch Mountain Trail featuring 11 steep switchbacks to the summit
• 1925 Multnomah Falls Lodge built with native fieldstone
• Year-round water flow fed by Larch Mountain snowmelt and springs

Ideal For

FamiliesCouplesSolo travelersNature loversPhotographersAdventure seekers

Facilities & Amenities

• Parking
• Restrooms
• Drinking water
• Cafeteria
• Information center
• Wheelchair access
• Souvenir shops
• Seating areas

Visitor Tips

• Visit before 9:00 AM on weekdays to secure parking and avoid heavy trail congestion
• Obtain a Timed Use Permit in advance if visiting between late May and early September
• Carry a waterproof jacket as the mist from the falls covers the lower viewing areas and bridge
• Wear footwear with strong traction, as the paved trail is often wet and slippery
• Use a wide-angle lens to capture both tiers of the waterfall from the lower viewing deck
• Take the Columbia Gorge Express bus from Gateway Transit Center to bypass parking difficulties entirely

Rules & Restrictions

• No drones allowed anywhere in the area
• Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times
• Visitors must stay on designated paved trails
• No climbing on the rock walls or fences
• No swimming or wading in the plunge pool

Safety Information

• Stay behind all fences and retaining walls; the cliffs have sheer drops
• Watch out for falling rocks, especially after heavy rain or during freezing and thawing cycles
• Lock your vehicle and take all valuables with you, as car break-ins are common in Gorge parking lots
• Do not cross closed gates if the trail is marked shut for ice or damage
• Keep children close on the steep trail and bridge observation points
• Drink water and pace yourself on the 11 switchbacks, as the incline is unexpectedly steep

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Location & Address

50000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Columbia River Gorge, Bridal Veil, Oregon, United States

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Best Time to Visit

April to June is optimal, as spring snowmelt from Larch Mountain creates the most powerful water flow. October and November offer excellent autumn foliage framing the waterfall. Summer (July-August) has pleasant weather but extreme crowding requires timed-entry permits. Winter visits provide a chance to see parts of the falls frozen, though ice often closes the upper trail sections.
Peak Crowd: May to September, weekends, and major holidays. Pleasant weather and summer vacations attract maximum visitors.
Moderate Crowd: March-April and October-November on weekday afternoons.
Low Crowd: December to February, particularly on rainy or snowy days, due to cold weather and potential trail ice.

How to Reach

Air

Portland International Airport (PDX) is 30 miles away, requiring about a 35-minute drive via I-84 East.

Train

Portland Union Station is 32 miles away. From there, visitors can rent a car or take the MAX Light Rail to Gateway Transit Center to catch the Columbia Gorge Express bus.

Road

Accessible via Interstate 84 East (take Exit 31 for direct left-exit parking) or via the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway (US-30). It is a 30-mile, 45-minute drive from downtown Portland.

Local Transport

The Columbia Gorge Express bus offers regular daily service from Portland. Tour shuttles, e-bike rentals from nearby Troutdale, and rideshare apps (Uber/Lyft) are available, though cell service for booking return rideshares can be unreliable at the falls.

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Food & Dining

Nearby restaurants near Multnomah Falls

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Your Questions, Answered

The hike is 2.4 miles round trip. It climbs 600 feet in elevation via 11 paved switchbacks. Most visitors take 1 to 1.5 hours to complete the round trip.

A $2 Timed Use Permit is required only during the summer season (late May to early September) if you are driving on the Historic Columbia River Highway between 9 AM and 6 PM. Permits are not required if you use public transit or park in the I-84 lot.

The trail is open year-round but is frequently closed during winter months (December-February) due to ice, freezing spray from the waterfall, or rockfall hazards. Check the US Forest Service website for daily trail conditions.

Yes. Wahkeena Falls is 0.5 miles west, and Horsetail Falls is 2.5 miles east. Both are accessible via the Historic Columbia River Highway and have connecting hiking trails.

There is a small parking lot on the Historic Highway in front of the lodge, and a larger lot situated between the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 84 (Exit 31). The I-84 lot connects to the falls via a pedestrian underpass. Both lots fill up quickly by 9:00 AM in summer.