The 8 Best Waterfall Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge Near Portland, Oregon
A Photography Guide to the must-see waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge during Summer
It’s no secret that Portland is surrounded by stunning nature hikes. I’m lucky to have spent nearly 10 years capturing photographs of the best waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. You can view my full gallery of waterfall landscape photography HERE. Many of my most popular images were taken in the Columbia River Gorge. This place is so special to me and I’d like to share some of the best waterfall locations near Portland with you.
Whether you are looking to hike to some of the many waterfalls, lakes, mountains, or forests that surround Portland, there is something for everyone. Nowhere else in the world can you find the greatest concentration of waterfalls than the Columbia River Gorge. There are 80 documented waterfalls in the gorge, many of which are just up to an hour outside of Portland. This is a special place that draws thousands of locals and tourists out of the city and into nature. Before you go, be sure to read up on any Required Permits during the summer months. This is subject to change from year to year.
Now, here are my 8 favorite waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.
1: Eagle Creek
The Eagle Creek trail highlights numerous stunning waterfalls, which makes this trail so special. However, it has changed a lot over the years. In 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire started on this trail and raged through much of the gorge, changing it forever. Landslides that followed have also changed the landscape and have blocked access to some of the waterfalls. Nonetheless, this hike is still stunning and one of my favorites. The Eagle Creek Trail is a 25.8-mile out-and-back trail, which you can take as far as you’d like. Most hikers take the iconic Punchbowl Falls hike (shown above), which is 3.8 miles round-trip and 600 ft elevation gain. In the peak of summer, this is a great hike to challenge yourself and cool off in the water at the falls. Other notable waterfalls on this hike include Meltako Falls (no longer accessible) and Tunnel Falls.
2: Wahkennah Falls Trail
Wahkennah Falls Trail to Fairy Falls offers a 3.4 mile out-and-back hike surrounded by the lush greenery of the gorge. You first hit Wahkennah Falls near the start of the trail. It’s quite impressive, but the best waterfall is further up the trail, in my opinion. Once you get through the steep, but paved, switchbacks and catch your breath at Lemmons Viewpoint, the trail mellows out and is unbelievably beautiful. In summer, sunlight glows through the forest while white butterflies dance along the stream. After hiking along the lush stream, you get to the beautiful cascades of Fairy Falls, which is very appropriately named. It’s a shorter waterfall at just 20 ft tall, but it is breathtaking. Parking is limited, so get there early to get a spot and to catch good lighting for some long exposure photos of the falls.
3: Wahclella Falls
Wahclella Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the gorge and is a very accessible hike. At 1.9 miles out-and-back, and 308ft of elevation gain, this trail is perfect for hikers at all levels. The trail is lush and hugs the strong river that flows from the falls. The sound of the river is enchanting as you make your way through the flowers and lush vegetation along the trail. Wahclella Falls is the final destination of the hike before you turn around. There are great vantage points up close to the falls where you can feel the power of the water flowing through the gorge. As a bonus, the trail is near Thunder Island Brewing, which is my favorite spot to grab lunch and a beer after a day of hiking.
4: Elowah Falls
Elowah Falls is a very impressive waterfall to witness. It is a narrow waterfall that plummets 213 feet into the valley. Snowmelt in the Spring raises the water level, making this a stunning waterfall to see and feel. In late summer, the gorge is very dry and often diminishes this waterfall to a lighter trickle. No matter what, this is a great hike to take. Impacted by the 2017 wildfire, you will see signs of burnt tree trunks among the lush underbrush along the hike. A recent landslide also wiped out the bridge at the bottom of the falls, so you can no longer cross the stream if the water levels are too high. At the fork in the trail, take a left to get to the base of the falls, or a right to observe it from the top. My preference is to hike to the base of the waterfall to get the best view.
5: Horsetail and Ponytail Falls
A quick 0.8-mile round-trip hike to Ponytail Falls is worth the effort if you plan to see multiple falls at one stop. At the parking lot, you get a great view of Horsetail Falls. I think it’s worth it to hike the switchbacks up to Ponytail Falls, as seen above. Lush foliage surrounds the falls in spring and summer. You can even walk behind the waterfall to get a cool vantage point. This waterfall doesn’t take much time to visit, so it is a must-see if you plan to drive through the gorge and hit as many waterfalls as possible.
6: Starvation Creek
If you are on your way to Hood River, OR, it would be a shame if you didn’t make a pit stop at Starvation Creek. This waterfall only involves a quick walk to the creek from the rest stop. It’s a great spot for a bathroom break followed by views of this beautiful waterfall. For photography, the best view of the waterfall is on the other side of the creek, so you’ll need to get your feet wet. But if you plan to just sit at the picnic table and enjoy the scenery, it is still well worth it.
7: Multnomah Falls
We can’t talk about the best waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge without mentioning Multnomah Falls. It’s the best, most accessible, waterfall that doesn’t involve a hike to enjoy from the viewpoint. No wonder it’s the most popular waterfall to visit. Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s tallest waterfall at 635 ft tall and is the second highest waterfall in the USA that flows year-round. The famous bridge that crosses the waterfall was built in 1914 and the Multnomah Falls Lodge followed in 1925. You can take a quick walk up the trail to the bridge and can continue to the top of the waterfall if you’d like. I highly recommend at least making it up to the footbridge. Please note that the parking lot fills up fast, so you are better off getting there pretty early in the morning on a weekday. In summer, you also need to reserve your time to visit the falls. If you don’t like crowds, you are better off skipping this waterfall, as it has become a bit of a tourist trap. But there is no denying how beautiful it is and is worth it to get an iconic photo of Multnomah Falls.
8: Oneonta Gorge
While Oneonta Gorge is no longer open due to the 2017 wildfire, I think it’s one of the most stunning places on Earth. Hopefully one day it will be safe enough to open again and enjoy this gem. This narrow slot canyon was carved by water over millions of years, exposing the layers of basalt rock up the walls of the canyon. Entering this canyon feels like going through a portal to another world. The payoff at the end is the magnificent Lower Oneonta Falls. You’ll be hiking through the river, which gets waist-deep in some areas. To access this slot canyon, you are required to climb over a big log jam, which can be a bit treacherous. This log jam has likely only gotten worse since the wildfire. I’m lucky to have enjoyed this magical canyon before its closure.