June 13, 2026
Columbia River Gorge is located in Oregon, USA, and is one of the most scenic regions in the Pacific Northwest. Stretching along the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington, the gorge is famous for its dramatic cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, lush forests, and breathtaking viewpoints. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, waterfall hikes, and charming towns such as Hood River, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers.
We stayed in Portland's Pearl District for two nights, using the day in between to explore the magnificent Columbia River Gorge, famous for its dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and scenic river views.
The day started at Multnomah Falls at 7:00 a.m. Arriving early allowed us to beat the crowds, enjoy the falls in a more peaceful setting, and secure a parking space at Oregon's most visited waterfall.
From Portland: Take I-84 east to Exit 31 for Multnomah Falls.
From Hood River: Take I-84 west to Exit 31
From Portland: Take I-84 east to Exit 31 for Multnomah Falls.
From Hood River: Take I-84 west to Exit 31
Standing at 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon and the most visited natural attraction in the Pacific Northwest. Arriving at 7 a.m. gave us a rare opportunity to enjoy the falls before the crowds arrived. The iconic Benson Bridge offers a close-up view of the two-tiered cascade as water plunges dramatically down the basalt cliffs.
Just a short distance from Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls offers a completely different character. Its name comes from a Native American word meaning "most beautiful." Rather than a single dramatic drop, the water tumbles gracefully over a series of rocky ledges surrounded by lush greenery.
From the Wahkeena Falls parking area, only part of the waterfall is visible. A short walk up the paved path and across the stone bridge provides much better views, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the waterfall as it cascades down the cliffside. This is also where many hikers begin or end the popular Multnomah–Wahkeena Loop.
The Multnomah–Wahkeena Loop is one of the most popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. It connects the iconic Multnomah Falls with Wahkeena Falls, passing several smaller waterfalls and scenic forest trails along the way. Hikers can complete the full loop or simply hike from Multnomah Falls and end at Wahkeena Falls before returning to the parking area.
Starting at Multnomah Falls, hikers climb the paved trail to the famous Benson Bridge before continuing to the top of the falls. The trail then winds through a lush forest, passing several beautiful waterfalls including Fairy Falls, Ecola Falls, and Weisendanger Falls. The route eventually reaches Wahkeena Falls, where hikers can enjoy close-up views of the cascading waterfall before returning to the trailhead or completing the loop. The hike offers a wonderful combination of towering waterfalls, moss-covered forests, and scenic Gorge landscapes.
Fairy Falls is also one of the highlights of the loop. It is a tall, slender waterfall tucked away in the forest and is often less crowded than Multnomah Falls, making it a favorite stop for photographers.
The Multnomah–Wahkeena Loop is about 5-mile (8-km) round-trip hike that typically takes 2.5 to 4 hours to complete. The trail includes a significant elevation gain of about 1,600 feet (490 m), with the steepest climb occurring above Multnomah Falls.
We followed Google Maps and drove from Wahkeena State Park to Bridal Veil Falls State Park.
Bridal Veil Falls State Park is located along the Historic Columbia River Highway near milepost 28 and can be accessed from I-84 via Exit 28. From there, it’s a short drive west along the Historic Columbia River Highway—about ¾ of a mile—to the park entrance.
Bridal Veil Falls State Park is located along the Historic Columbia River Highway near milepost 28 and can be accessed from I-84 via Exit 28. From there, it’s a short drive west along the Historic Columbia River Highway—about ¾ of a mile—to the park entrance.
Hidden among the forest, Bridal Veil Falls descends in two elegant tiers that resemble a bride's veil. A short walk through towering trees leads to viewpoints overlooking one of the Gorge's most picturesque waterfalls.
Located along the Historic Columbia River Highway, Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint is a popular stop in the Columbia River Gorge. The park features two short and easy trails—one leading to the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls and another offering panoramic views of the Columbia River.
A short but steep 0.3-mile trail descends through a lush forest to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. The waterfall plunges about 120 feet in two tiers over moss-covered basalt cliffs, creating a picturesque scene that is especially impressive after rainfall.
The nearby Overlook Trail is a paved half-mile loop that provides sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge. On a clear day, visitors can spot landmarks such as Archer Mountain, Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rock, and the striking Pillars of Hercules rock formation.
The park also offers picnic tables, restrooms, and a large grassy area, making it a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Both trails are short, making Bridal Veil Falls an easy and rewarding stop while exploring the Columbia River Gorge.
From Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint, our next stop was Shepperd’s Dell along the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Shepperd's Dell Waterfall feature a two-tiered waterfall that drops into a narrow basalt canyon before flowing into Youngs Creek and eventually the Columbia River. The viewpoint is just off the highway, making it an easy place to pause while driving between the larger, more famous waterfalls.
Parking is available on either side of Highway 30, with short walk-in access to the viewing area.
Shepperd's Dell Waterfall feature a two-tiered waterfall that drops into a narrow basalt canyon before flowing into Youngs Creek and eventually the Columbia River. The viewpoint is just off the highway, making it an easy place to pause while driving between the larger, more famous waterfalls.
Parking is available on either side of Highway 30, with short walk-in access to the viewing area.
You can hear the waterfall from the historic bridge, but to see it clearly you’ll need to take a short 0.2-mile round-trip trail that includes a few steps down to the base. The waterfall drops in two tiers—the upper fall is about 42 feet, and the lower tier is around 50 feet tall.
One of the Columbia River Gorge’s quieter gems, Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area is tucked into a narrow, mossy canyon that feels hidden from the main highway. From the historic stone bridge, visitors can take in dramatic views looking down into the gorge, where the waterfall drops into a deep basalt cleft below.
For a closer look, a short trail leads down from the bridge to the base, where the sound of rushing water grows louder and the full scale of the waterfall becomes more impressive.
From Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area, our next stop was Latourell Falls.
Latourell Falls is named after 19th-century settler Joseph Latourell, and the area later became part of Guy W. Talbot State Park. Today, it’s one of the most striking waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, plunging straight down over tall basalt columns.
Latourell Falls is named after 19th-century settler Joseph Latourell, and the area later became part of Guy W. Talbot State Park. Today, it’s one of the most striking waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, plunging straight down over tall basalt columns.
Latourell Falls is one of the closest major waterfalls to Portland and one of the most photogenic in the Columbia River Gorge. The waterfall drops about 224 feet in a single plunge over striking basalt cliffs.
From the parking area, you can already see the lower falls, but the loop hike gives a fuller experience. The trail leads up Latourell Creek to the quieter Upper Latourell Falls, then loops back down through forest to the picnic area. From there, a short walk under the highway bridge brings you to the base of the main falls, where you can see the powerful plunge up close and the dramatic basalt columns behind it.
Vista House opened in 1918 as a scenic rest stop and observatory along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Designed as a “comfort station” like no other, it features elegant architecture with marble floors and stained glass windows, along with sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge.
Crown Point State Scenic Corridor is one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge. Rising about 693 feet above the Columbia River, it overlooks I-84 and is home to the historic Vista House.
This dramatic cliffside location was the site of the 1916 dedication of the Historic Columbia River Highway, a scenic route built to wind through the Gorge between Portland and The Dalles. Today, it remains a popular stop for sweeping river views and photography.
Parking is available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Crown Point also marks the start of the famous “Waterfall Corridor,” where several of the Gorge’s most well-known waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, are located along the historic highway.
From Crown Point State Scenic Corridor and Vista House, we drove back along the Waterfall Corridor, continuing to the Horsetail Falls area.
Horsetail Falls is visible from the parking lot.
Horsetail Falls is visible from the parking lot.
Horsetail Falls is one of the most accessible and photogenic waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. It gets its name from the way the water fans out as it drops 176 feet in a single plunge into a pool right beside the Historic Columbia River Highway. The base of the falls is just a short walk from the parking area, making it an easy and rewarding quick stop.
For those with extra time, a short but steep 0.4-mile round-trip trail climbs to Upper Horsetail Falls, also known as Ponytail Falls. A highlight of this hike is the section where the trail passes directly behind the waterfall, allowing visitors to walk through a rocky overhang while looking out through the curtain of water.
The drive from the Columbia River Gorge to Hood River is one of the most scenic in Oregon. As you leave the waterfall area, the landscape changes from lush forest to a wide river valley with cliffs, orchards, vineyards, and mountain views.
Along the way, you’ll see tall basalt cliffs rising above the Columbia River, with the river running beside I-84 and Washington’s forested hills on the opposite side.
We originally planned to have lunch in Hood River, but with a 40-minute wait at the restaurant, we decided to skip it. We drove to the Hood River Waterfront Park along the Columbia River for a short walk and to enjoy the views.
We continued our drive back to Portland, ending a day filled with waterfalls, cliffs, and scenic landscapes through the Columbia River Gorge.
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