The Columbia River Gorge is an 80 mile long, 4,000ft. deep in places, natural wonder that cuts the only sea-level passage through the Cascade Range. The early explorers found a land rich in salmon, wild rivers, and Native American Tribes. The geology of the gorge created a paradise for waterfall lovers as it boast over 70, on the Oregon side alone, with in reasonable access to the public. Many more come out of the cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge unseen most of the year.
Oregon side – (east to west)
Cushing Falls
Directions: Take exit 87 for US-197 toward Dufur/Bend 0.2 mi., Turn right at US-197/US-30 (signs for Dufur/US-197/Bend) 0.2 mi., Turn right at E 2nd St/US-30 0.2 mi., Turn right at Columbia View Dr/SE Frontage Rd 128 ft., Turn right to stay on Columbia View Dr/SE Frontage Rd 0.6 mi., Slight left at E 2nd St/State Rd.
Petersburg Falls
Mill Creek Falls
Mosier Falls, Mosier Creek
Photo by Nate Herbeck
Wah Gwin Gwin Falls
Punchbowl Falls, West Fork Hood River
Photo by Nate Herbeck
Starvation Creek Falls
Directions: Stop at exit 55 off of I-84. walk up to the bridge over the creek.
Cabin Creek Falls
Hole-in-the-Wall Falls
Warren Falls
Gorton Creek Falls
The falls are accessed from the Day Use area at the Wyeth Campground, about 6 miles east of Cascade Locks on the south side of Interstate 84. Height: ~110 ft.
Dry Creek Falls
Dry Creek Falls is accessed from the Pacific Crest Trail at Cascade Locks. Height: ~75 ft.
Pacific Crest Falls
Camp Creek Falls
Wauna Falls
Ruckel Creek Falls
Metlako Falls, Eagle Creek
Directions: Go east on I-84, take exit 41 to Eagle Creek Park, 41 miles east of Portland. The Eagle Creek Trail begins at the parking lot in the park. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park here, check out the visitors center on the way in. Height: ~90 ft.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Lower Punch Bowl Falls
Continue past Metlako Falls .2 mile.
Height: ~20 ft.
Punch Bowl Falls
Continue past Lower Punch Bowl Falls .06 mile.
Height: ~33 ft.
Photo by Nate Herbeck
Loowit Falls
Continue past Punchbowl Falls 1.07 miles.
To you right acroos Eagle Creek is Loowit Falls pouring in.
Height: ~60 ft.
Distance from parking area: 3.1 miles
Skoonichuk Falls
Continue another .37 mile past Loowit Falls. Height: ~55 ft.
Distance from parking area: 3.5 miles
Tenas Falls
Located .37 mile up from Skoonichuk Falls at a height ~20.
Wy’East Falls
Tunnel Falls
5.8 miles, from the parking area, into the Eagle Creek hike Tunnel Falls comes in from East Fork Eagle Creek. Height: ~110 ft.
Photo by Keel Brightman
Eagle Creek Falls – A.K.A. Twister Falls
Continue more than a mile past Tunnel Falls to Upper Eagle Creek Falls.
Photo by Keel Brightman
Munra Falls
Directions: In I-84 east of Portland, take Exit 40 at Bonneville Dam. Drive south to the parking area for Tanner Creek Trail (Wahclella Falls). Munra Falls is a 40 ft. cascade found right alongside the trail leading to Wahclella Falls.
Distance: 0.8 miles.
Wahclella Falls
Directions:In I-84 east of Portland, take Exit 40 at Bonneville Dam. Drive south to the parking area for Tanner Creek Trail (Wahclella Falls). Wahclella Falls is one of the classic examples lush a Pacific Northwest forest and hidden waterfall beauties.
Distance: 2.0 miles.
Photo by Keel Brightman
Middle Tanner Creek Falls
tough access
Upper Tanner Creek Fall
tough acess
Elowah Falls
Directions: Going east along I-84, take exit 37 to John B. Yeon State Park (37 miles east of Portland). Start hiking on Gorge Trail #400. Keep left at the first junction, then left again at the second junction (in 0.2 miles).
Distance: 1.2 miles.
Upper McCord Creek Falls
Directions: Going east along I-84, take exit 37 to John B. Yeon State Park. Start hiking on the Gorge Trail #400. At 0.3 miles you reach a junction. Turn right onto the Elowah Falls Trail. Follow this trail for about 0.6 miles up and past the overlook for Elowah Falls. At the end of the trail you will come to Upper McCord Creek Falls.
Distance: 1.8 miles.
Lower Oneonta Falls
Directions: Along I-84, take exit 28 at Bridal Veil (or exit 35 at Dodson if traveling west on I-84). Drive 5.3 miles east along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy. to a signed turnoff for Oneonta Gorge. To access this fall a short swim up the creek is required, best to wait until summer. Height: ~100 ft.
Distance: 1 mile.
Middle Oneonta Falls
Directions: Along I-84, take exit 28 at Bridal Veil (or exit 35 at Dodson if traveling west on I-84). Drive 5 miles east along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy. The Oneonta Trail starts at a parking pullout just west of Oneonta Gorge. Height: ~30 ft.
Distance: 1.8 miles.
Photo by Nate Herbeck
Triple Falls
Directions: Along I-84, take exit 28 at Bridal Veil. Drive 5 miles east along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy. The Oneonta Trail starts at a parking pullout just a bit west of Oneonta Gorge. Height: ~130 ft.
Distance: 2.8 miles.
Horsetail Falls
Directions:Along I-84, take exit 28 at Bridal Veil. Drive east along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy for 5.5 miles to the signed turnout for Horsetail Falls. Height: ~176 ft.
Distance: 50 ft.
Photo by Ryan Scott
Ponytail Falls
Directions:Along I-84, take exit 28 at Bridal Veil. Drive east along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy for 5.5 miles to the signed turnout for Horsetail Falls. Height: ~100 ft.
Distance: 1 mile
Wahkeena Falls
Directions:Along I-84, take exit 31 at the signed turnoff for Multnomah Falls. Drive 0.7 miles west of Multnomah Falls on the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy to the signed turnoff for Wahkeena Falls. Height: 242 ft.
Distance: within sight.
Mist Falls
Directions: Benson State Park, just off of I-84, one mile west of Multnomah Falls. Height: ~450 ft.
Necktie Falls
Fairy Falls
Directions: Along I-84, take exit 31 at the signed turnoff for Multnomah Falls (31 miles east of Portland). Drive 0.7 miles west of Multnomah Falls on the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy to the signed turnoff for Wahkeena Falls. Height: ~20 ft.
Distance: 1.8 miles.
Multnomah Falls
Directions: Along I-84, take exit 31 at the signed turnoff for Multnomah Falls (31 miles east of Portland). Height: 611 ft. year round
Distance: 100 ft.
Photo by Nate Herbeck
Dutchman Falls
Directions: Along I-84 exit 31, at the Multnomah Falls parking area (31 miles east of Portland). Hike up past Multnomah Falls. Height: ~20 ft.
Distance: 2.4 miles.
Little Multnomah Falls
Continue up the trail past Multnomah and Dutchman Falls. All of the waterfalls on the upper section are trail side.
Weisendanger Falls
Directions: Take I-84, exit 31, at the Multnomah Falls parking area (31 miles east of Portland). Height: ~80 ft.
Distance: 2.6 miles.
Hidden Falls
Continue up past Weisendanger about 500ft.
Upper Multnomah Falls
Latourell Falls
Directions: Going east along I-84, take exit 28 at Bridal Veil, 28 miles east of Portland. Drive 3.2 miles west along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy to the Guy W. Talbot State Park. Height: 249 ft.
Upper Latourell Falls
Directions: Going east along I-84, take exit 28 at Bridal Veil, 28 miles east of Portland. Drive 3.2 miles west along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy to the Guy W. Talbot State Park.
Shepperds Dell Falls
Directions: Going east on I-84 take exit 28 to Bridal Veil, 28 miles east of Portland. Drive 1.9 miles west along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy to the bridge crossing at Shepperds Dell State Park. Height: ~120 ft. year round.
Hike distance: Road side.
Bridal Veil Falls
Directions:Going east on I-84 take exit 28 to Bridal Veil. Drive 1.0 miles west along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Hwy to the parking lot for Bridal Veil Falls. Height: ~140 ft. year round.
Hike distance: 0.5 miles.
Coopey Falls
Height: ~150 ft.
Click here for the list of Washington waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia Experience 
[…] along this magical canyon. I don’t know how complete this list is – as Nina would say: CLICKY for a more extensive list of the Falls. Springtime is best for viewing the most falls, as some dry […]
By: a peek at the falls | Movin' on on May 25, 2013
at 2:29 pm
Thanks for sharing! Bookmarked. 🙂
By: vastlycurious.com on May 25, 2013
at 3:42 pm