MULTNOMAH FALLS FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Bridal Veil, Multnomah County, Oregon, U.S.A.
HOURS: Day-Use only
COST: Free
TIME TO COMPLETE: 2-3 hours
ACCOMODATIONS: Parking lot, public restrooms, restaurant, Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Multnomah Falls, the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest, is an instantly recognizable waterfall located about 30 miles east of downtown Portland just off the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Formed approximately 15,000 years ago in the Columbia River Gorge, the falls gets its name from the Multnomah tribe who once lived in this area of what is now the state of Oregon. The famous 19th century explorers Lewis and Clark remarked on the falls in their diaries while exploring the gorge in 1805. Multnomah Falls is sourced year-round by an underground spring from Larch Mountain and is estimated to have more than 2 million visitors a year.
At 620’ (189 m) Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in the Pacific Northwest and purportedly the second tallest year-round waterfall in the United States. The falls actually has two sections. The upper falls plunges 542’ (165 m) into a shallow pool while the lower falls drops 69’ (21 m) with a gradual decline of 9’ (3 m) between the two levels. While the falls generally have steady flow, the best times to visit are in the winter or spring.
There are several vantage points from which to view the falls. There is a main stone platform that provides the classic view of both the upper and lower falls, split by the Benson Footbridge. The bridge, along with the National Register of Historic Places Multnomah Falls Lodge, were built in 1925 and have that classic beauty of yesteryear. From there you can follow a steep but short trail, about 10 minutes walk, up to the bridge itself. This provides an excellent view of the upper falls as well as the pool at its base.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous you can continue on, about 30 more minutes, along the rim of the mountain on a concrete and packed dirt switchback trail that leads to the top of Multnomah Falls. The payoff at the top is a small wooden platform with a view looking down below on the bridge, the lodge and beyond to the expansive Columbia River. The scene is truly spectacular and makes you appreciate the enormity of nature. On the way back down, the views of the river through the trees are just as amazing, especially if you luck onto a completely clear day with the Archer Mountain rising in the distance. The total distance to hike covers 2.4 miles (3.9 km) of relatively easy hiking that provides you with multiple viewing areas of the falls and overlook.
Over the years there have been several natural occurrences of note. Major fires in both 1991 and 2017 caused temporary closures due to soil erosion concerns. In 1995 and 2014 falling rocks caused the Benson Bridge to close down. The 1995 incident involved a 400 ton (363 MT) boulder falling 225’ (69 m) into the upper cascade pool and injuring (albeit minor injuries) 20 members of a wedding party taking pictures on the bridge.
At the bottom you can stop into the lodge and enjoy a meal at the upper level restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. There’s also a Visitor Center, a gift shop and a snack bar. If you’re driving you can either park on the side of the road (if you’re lucky) or go to the large parking area that has a short path running underneath the highway and alongside the Multnomah Creek up to the lodge. If you prefer to avoid that hassle there are convenient shuttle services available from Portland.
Multnomah Falls should definitely be on your bucket list as one of the more distinctive falls in North America alongside Niagara Falls in Canada, Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite National Park, and the spectacular High Falls in North Carolina.
What are your favorite waterfalls? We’d love to hear all about them.
