One Oregon waterfall drops 620 feet, which makes it taller than a 50-story building. It sits beside a winding old highway that still carries stone bridges built back in 1914.
I love a road that was built to show off scenery. Its curves were planned around waterfalls and viewpoints.
Another stop rewards hikers with a forested trail into a mossy canyon and a dramatic plunge pool. My map app is already open, and I’m planning a whole day of waterfalls along this one route.
A few stops sit steps from your car, while others want hiking shoes and patience on switchbacks. The mist soaks everyone equally, from serious hikers to folks who never left the parking lot.
1. Multnomah Falls
Six hundred and twenty feet of falling water is a lot to fit in one photo. Good luck squeezing Multnomah Falls into your phone screen without stepping way back.
Here’s the headliner of the Historic Columbia River Highway. It ranks among the tallest waterfalls in the country and pulls in huge crowds year-round.
The lower viewing platform stays open all year. From there, you can stare up at both tiers and the famous Benson Bridge between them.
That bridge dates to 1914, built by Italian stonemasons. Lumber baron Simon Benson paid for it, and you can walk right across it.
Feeling strong? A trail climbs to a viewpoint at the top of the falls. The switchbacks give your legs a real workout, and the trail is open from dawn to dusk.
Down at the base sits Multnomah Falls Lodge, built in 1925. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and holds a restaurant, a gift shop, and an espresso stand.
The lodge builders used stone from across the Columbia River Gorge in its walls. Restrooms inside are being renovated through November 2026, with portable toilets on site meanwhile.
Planning a summer trip? Timed-use permits may be needed for the I-84 Exit 31 lot during peak season, so check Recreation.gov before you go.
Want more? A connecting trail links over to Wahkeena Falls for a waterfall-packed loop of around five miles. Bring water and snacks.
Address: 53000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019.
2. Latourell Falls
Bright yellow lichen on a dark cliff looks like somebody spilled paint on the rocks. At Latourell Falls, that splash of color sits right beside a single straight drop of water.
This is the first big waterfall you meet heading east on the old highway. It lives inside Guy W. Talbot State Park, and the plunge measures around 224 to 249 feet, depending on the source.
The water leaps off an overhanging wall of columnar basalt. Those stacked stone columns look almost carved, but nature did the work.
A short walk takes you to the lower falls. Along the way, you pass under a historic 1914 bridge that carries the highway over Latourell Creek.
Got more time? A loop trail of about 2.1 miles climbs to the upper falls and back. It’s a nice way to stretch your legs before the busier stops.
The falls carry the name of Joseph Latourell, an early local postmaster. Guy W. Talbot donated the parkland to Oregon State Parks in 1929.
Crowds here usually run lighter than at Multnomah Falls just down the road. That makes it a smart first stop for a calmer start to your day.
Planning a group outing? The park has a picnic shelter you can reserve. Pack lunch and let the kids count the basalt columns.
Address: Guy W. Talbot State Park, Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019.
3. Wahkeena Falls
Wahkeena comes from a Yakama word meaning most beautiful. That’s a bold name to live up to, and honestly, this waterfall makes a strong case.
The falls tumble 242 feet in a series of tiers that fan out down the mountainside. Instead of one long plunge, the water bounces and spreads like lace.
A short paved path leads from the parking area to a viewpoint. The lower viewing area is wheelchair-accessible, so more folks can enjoy it up close.
Right near the base, a stone bridge built in 1914 crosses the creek. Engineer K.P. Billner designed it, and it frames the falls nicely in photos.
Bring a rain jacket even on sunny days. The spray drifts across the trail and will find you.
Up for a challenge? Wahkeena Trail #420 climbs with plenty of switchbacks and connects to a loop of about five miles.
That loop passes Fairy Falls and Ecola Falls before swinging down to Multnomah Falls. Wear real hiking shoes, because the path is unpaved.
Fun history bit: this waterfall was once called Gordon Falls. A committee linked to the Mazamas, a mountaineering club, renamed it in 1915.
A vault toilet is available at the trailhead. During peak season, check whether a timed-use permit is required before driving out.
Address: Wahkeena Trail #420, Corbett, OR 97019.
4. Bridal Veil Falls
An old lumber mill once hummed where this waterfall now steals the show. Bits of that industrial past still linger around Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint.
The falls drop in two tiers, totaling about 120 feet. They tumble through a quiet, forested pocket of the Columbia River Gorge.
Two short trails give you options. One heads down to the base of the falls, and the other is a paved overlook path.
The trail to the base runs about two-thirds of a mile round trip. It’s steep, but sturdy stairs help on the way down and back up.
The climb back is the part your calves will remember. Take it slow and enjoy the ferns.
Prefer flat ground? The paved Overlook Trail stays easy and serves up wide views of the Columbia River. Look for the rock towers called the Pillars of Hercules.
Grassy picnic areas sit near the parking lot, along with restrooms. That combo makes this an easy spot for a lunch break between hikes.
Just don’t plan to pitch a tent. Camping isn’t allowed at this park, so treat it as a day stop.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. Your pup will probably enjoy the stairs more than you do.
Address: 46701 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019.
5. Horsetail Falls
Some waterfalls make you earn the view with a long hike. Horsetail Falls basically waves at you from the side of the road.
The water plunges about 176 feet down a sheer rock face. Then it lands in a pool just a few steps from the highway.
The name is easy to figure out. As the water drops, it narrows and swishes out like a horse’s tail.
Short on time or energy? This stop barely requires walking at all. It’s a great pick for grandparents, little kids, or anyone saving their legs for later.
Parking here is free, which is always a nice surprise. There’s a picnic area just east of the falls if you packed sandwiches.
Note that restrooms aren’t available at the trailhead. Plan your pit stops at a bigger park nearby.
Want to stretch it out? The falls mark the start of Horsetail Falls Trail #438, which climbs toward more waterfalls above.
Timing matters here too. Late-day light can throw pretty shadows across the falls and surrounding forest.
Leashed dogs can join you on the trail. Just keep them out of the pool, since the road sits so close.
Address: Historic Columbia River Hwy, Cascade Locks, OR 97014.
6. Shepperd’s Dell Falls
A love story sits behind this little waterfall. Local dairy farmer George Shepperd donated the land in 1915 as a memorial to his wife, Mattie.
He gave the property to the City of Portland, and it later moved to state hands. Today it’s Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area.
The falls drop in two visible tiers, about 42 and 50 feet. Higher sections exist too, but they’re tough to see from below.
The real scene-stealer might be the bridge. A graceful arched span from 1914 leaps across the gorge right above the falls.
K.P. Billner designed it, the same engineer behind the bridge at Wahkeena Falls. Old roads in Oregon really knew how to show off.
Getting there is easy. A short trail of about 0.2 miles leads down from the parking area.
Railings and rock walls line the path, adding to that old-highway charm. You’ll be at the viewpoint in just a few minutes.
Since the walk is quick, it’s perfect for a short break between bigger stops. Kids can handle it without a single complaint, probably.
There are no restrooms here, so plan ahead. The area is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and leashed dogs are allowed.
Address: East Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019.
7. Wahclella Falls
Emerald walls and a deep blue pool make Wahclella Falls look like a scene from a fantasy movie. And reaching it takes only a modest hike.
The falls sit along Tanner Creek near Cascade Locks, just off the gorge’s scenic route. Water pours down in two main drops into a big plunge pool.
Wondering about the distance? The round trip runs about two miles. It’s a family-friendly trek that most kids can handle.
The trail winds through forest as the canyon walls close in. By the end, moss and mist seem to wrap around you.
That plunge pool is the star of the finish. Its color pops against the green cliffs, so bring a camera with a full battery.
Photographers love this spot for good reason. The canyon frames the falls nicely from several angles along the trail.
Keep an eye on the clock. The site is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., so don’t plan a late-evening walk.
Crowds tend to build on Saturday mornings and afternoons. A weekday visit can feel much more peaceful.
Pair this hike with nearby stops around Cascade Locks for a full day. Your legs will thank you for choosing a gentler trail.
Address: 45 OR-121, Cascade Locks, OR 97014.
8. Elowah Falls
Chartreuse lichen coats the cliffs around Elowah Falls like neon wallpaper. Add a tall ribbon of water, and you’ve got one striking scene.
The falls plunge about 213 feet into a rocky bowl made of old lava flows. It sits inside the John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor.
That park name honors John B. Yeon, a key figure in building the Historic Columbia River Highway. So the trail connects you to a bit of road history too.
The hike runs about 1.5 miles out and back. You’ll gain around 260 feet, which feels doable for most families.
A landslide damaged the footbridge below Elowah Falls in 2021, so visitors should check current trail and crossing conditions before hiking. Expect a misty pool at the bottom and plenty of spray.
Craving more? A branch from the same trailhead climbs toward Upper McCord Creek Falls. That path gives you views over the Columbia River.
Before you go, grab the right pass. Parking at the John B. Yeon trailhead for Elowah Falls is free, and no parking pass is required.
No restrooms wait at the trailhead. The closest ones are at the Ainsworth Day Use Area, so stop there first.
Fun fact: this waterfall was once called McCord Falls. The Mazamas renamed it Elowah in 1915.
Address: John B. Yeon Trailhead, Historic Columbia River Hwy, Cascade Locks, OR 97014.
9. Hole-in-the-Wall Falls
Water blasting out of a hole in a cliff sounds like a cartoon. At Hole-in-the-Wall Falls, it’s real, and people did it on purpose.
Warren Creek once flooded the old highway. In 1938, road crews drilled a tunnel through the rock to send the creek around the road.
The result is a man-made waterfall that pours straight out of the wall. Talk about a creative fix for a soggy problem.
Reaching it couldn’t be much easier. A short walk on a paved trail leads from the Starvation Creek area to the falls.
That trail is part of the historic highway itself. You’re literally strolling on a piece of Oregon road history.
Walkers and bikers both share the path. A newer asphalt section makes the route accessible too.
Back at the trailhead, you’ll find restrooms and a picnic spot. It’s a relaxed place to end a long day of chasing waterfalls.
Combine this stop with Starvation Creek Falls for a double feature. Both sit close together, so you won’t burn much energy.
Kids usually love hearing how people built a waterfall. It might be the best road repair story you’ll ever tell on a drive home.
Address: Starvation Ridge Trail #414, Cascade Locks, OR 97014.