Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is one of the world’s most iconic waterfalls. Revereed for its two-tier plunge and picturesque appeal, the double cascade sees two million visitors a year, most during the summer months.
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If you’re planning to visit Multnomah Falls in Oregon, it’s best to go prepared. Due to the sheer number of visitors who attempt to view the falls, there may be entrance restrictions in place.
Here is what you need to know about visiting Multnomah Falls and some tips for realizing the most enjoyable experience, particularly if you’re bent on photographing this Oregon wonder.
Where Is Multnomah Falls?
Multnomah Falls Oregon is located in the Columbia River Gorge. You’ll find it right off the historic Columbia River Highway, a scenic byway filled with waterfall hikes and breathtaking views of the Mighty Columbia.
There are two parking lots for Multnomah Falls. The first is located directly across from the entrance point to the falls on the Historic portion of the Columbia River Highway. However, this parking lot is small, has a limited number of spaces and fills quickly during peak visitation seasons.
To ensure you find a place to park, it’s best to use the lot located directly off of Interstate 84 off exit 31. There is ample parking here, and a clever path leading under the highway and railroad tracks will take you directly to the falls without the hassle of finding a spot.
It’s also important to note that a timed-entry system was in place during the summer months of 2021. Guests were required to pay $1.00 per person to access the falls and lodge area. Tickets were required between the hours of 9:00 am and 6:00 pm and granted admission for one hour.
While this is a generous amount of time to view the falls and check out the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, it’s not nearly long enough if you plan to hike much beyond the falls themselves. Should the timed entry system be reinstituted in the future, it’s important to know what you want to do while visiting Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge and how much time you’ll spend there before planning your trip. An early morning arrival or late evening visit may be necessary.
You can check the Recreation.gov website for information on whether reservations to Multnomah Falls are required.
Multnomah Falls Bridge
The view of the Multnomah Falls bridge with the 620-foot two-tiered plunge behind it is probably one of the most famous in Oregon history, reproduced across countless social media accounts (including ours), as well as myriad travel magazines, brochures and posters. It’s only fair. After all, the bridge has a long and storied history.
Officially known as the Benson Bridge, this historic structure was nothing more than a fanciful daydream at the start. Samuel Lancaster, lead engineer of the Columbia River Highway remarked how nice it would be to have a viewing structure to the falls. Overhearing the remarks, lumber baron Simon Benson asked how much it would cost to build.
Lancaster quickly ran the calculations on the back of a napkin and Benson committed the funds to build the 45-foot reinforced-concrete deck poised 105 feet above the lower Multnomah Falls. Benson later purchased 1,000 acres in the Columbia River Gorge and donated the 140 acres surrounding Multnomah Falls to the city of Portland as a park.
What Is there to do at Multnomah Falls Columbia River Gorge?
Beyond viewing the falls and snapping some Instagram-worthy shots, the area surrounding the falls is home to the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Multnomah Lodge is constructed using every type of stone found within the Columbia River Gorge.
It houses a restaurant, offering both take out and fine dining, and features a visitor center exploring the history of the Gorge. Unfortunately, the visitor center has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the restaurant remains open. If you plan to dine in the lodge, reservations are highly recommended.
Multnomah Falls is also the trailhead for an interesting climb to the top of the falls with a continuing trail to a less populated site you won’t want to miss.
Where We Missed the Boat, So to Speak
Multnomah Falls is the starting point for one of the most strenuous climbs in the Columbia River Gorge, but if you’re up to the challenge, you’ll experience incredible river views and a chance to look down the length of the plunge from the top of the falls.
The excursion sets off as soon as you cross Benson Bridge. While most people travel only a few steps beyond the falls, we decided to take the challenge and set out on the uphill climb.
We were rewarded soon enough with a view of the sun breaking out over the Columbian River, set apart by the contrasting somber hues of the tree trunks surrounding the trail. From there, the dirt-paved path continued upward, shaded by ancient timber that recently survived the 2017 Eagle Creek Wildfire. You’ll see the evidence throughout the climb as the charred trunks are constant companions during the first few switchbacks.
In all, there are eleven switchbacks to the top of the falls. As you approach the third switchback, you’ll round a bend to a new vantage point of the upper tier of Multnomah falls as well as a nice view out over the Columbia. Someone has thoughtfully placed a bench here, giving you a chance to sit and enjoy nature while recovering your breath.
Once you leave the viewpoint, it’s uphill almost all the way. Traversing the remainder of the switchbacks reveals increasingly higher views of the river gorge. It’s nice encouragement as you continue to climb as are the numbered plaques at most turning points, indicating which switchback you’re currently entering.
Eventually, the trail levels out and you round a bend. Soon after, the trail looks to continue straight, but to reach the top of the falls, you’ll need to take a right, stepping down a large stone drop and heading east.
From here, the trail meanders for a bit before hitting another downward stride. As you sink with the trail, it’s hard not to wonder why you just endured so many grueling upward switchbacks only to descend again.
Right before you reach the viewpoint at the top of the falls, you’ll make your way down a stone stairwell. Watch your step here as it’s easy to get distracted by the view out over the Columbia. In fact, it’s the Columbia that’s the star here as the view of the top of the falls is little more than disappearing water over the ledge of the upper plunge. There is a nice small cascade that you won’t see without making the climb, but all in all it’s the outward views that dominate.
It’s at this juncture that we made our fatal mistake. Our itinerary called for a continued trek back to the point where the trail to the upper falls broke off from the main trail. From there, we were to trek the Larch Mountain Trail upcreek past the old junction with the Perdition Trail.
This journey would have rewarded us with a relatively quiet jaunt to the Lower, Middle and Upper Dutchman Falls, an overhang called Dutchman Tunnel and onto Wiesendanger Falls. (A plaque honoring Albert Wiesendanger, a Forest Service ranger, can be found in Dutchman Tunnel.
A bit longer, and we would have reached 4 more switchbacks. Continuing the climb, we would have risen above Wiesendanger Falls, and past the rim of Ecola Falls. Unfortunately, we failed to view our itinerary and returned back to Multnomah Falls Lodge. Don’t make our mistake as the journey across the multiple falls listed above is rumored to be one of the best Oregon hiking trails and certainly one of the most scenic in the gorge.
We’ll have to take the word of others for now until we make our way back to visit Multnomah Falls again.
Tips for Visiting Multnomah Falls Columbia River Gorge
Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is the most visited site in the Northwest. That means you’ll be joining throngs of other visitors during the peak summer months and may even encounter crowds during other times of the year, particularly on weekends.
If you plan to take pictures of the falls, it’s best to arrive early. We hit the parking lot across from the lodge at 7:15 am on a Saturday, and at least 15 cars were already in the lot. By the time we made our way up to the lower viewing point, there were a few people on the bridge.
We took probably 5 minutes snapping pictures and then started our way up the trail toward Benson Bridge. By this time, there was a couple ahead of us on the trail and another that went racing by us. When we reached the bridge, we were sharing photo ops with a family of 4 and three other couples.
It wasn’t bad compared to what we experienced as we return ninety minutes later from our hike to the top, but it was ideal for photography. If you plan to take pictures free of other visitors, try to arrive as the sun rises or come late in the evening.
It’s the same for hiking the trails. We had the switchbacks up to the top of the falls almost to ourselves on the way up. We let one group pass us and met with another couple at the viewpoing rounding the third switchback.
On the way down, however, we passed multiple groups all heading upward. Considering that the viewing platform above the falls has enough room for around ten people, your best bet is to hit this trail early in the morning or later in the evening.
We had a nice early start and then ordered take out from the Multnomah Falls restaurant. We were able to enjoy a hearty meal in full view of the falls by using the tables on the viewing platform across from the coffee kiosk.
All in all, a visit to Multnomah Falls is a must-do when visiting the Columbia River Gorge, but timing is key if you want the chance to enjoy the area with some sense of solitude.