About this story: This is our archive of the 2023 and 2024 Instagram-based waterfall rankings. The hashtag counts below are historical snapshots, not a current ranking or a measure of which waterfall is best to visit.
Planning a visit? Start with our Multnomah Falls guide to parking, seasonal permits, hikes, and quieter alternatives. This photo-ranking story does not maintain visitor access rules.
Multnomah Falls is an easy place to understand the appeal of waterfall photography: two drops, a stone bridge, and a setting that changes from spring green to autumn gold. Two separate Instagram-based lists put it at the top of their U.S. waterfall rankings in 2023 and 2024. Here is what those lists actually measured.
The 2023 ranking: 285,337 Instagram tags
Our September 2023 reporting covered a list of 30 Instagram-worthy U.S. waterfalls compiled by the online casino site Mr. Gamble. As The Oregonian reported at the time, Multnomah Falls led that list with 285,337 tags. That reflects how often the name appeared on Instagram in that study, not a judged photography contest.
The 2024 ranking: 289,831 hashtags
In June 2024, That Oregon Life also reported on BonusFinder’s list of Instagrammable U.S. landmarks. Its categories included waterfalls, state parks, and botanical gardens. In the waterfall category, Multnomah Falls ranked first with a reported 289,831 hashtags.
These were separate lists from different publishers. The counts should not be read as a verified year-over-year growth measurement: the collection dates and methods would need to be comparable to make that claim. Nor do they establish that Multnomah Falls is the most photographed waterfall today.
Popular in photos does not mean easy to visit
A recognizable waterfall close to Portland draws plenty of cameras—and plenty of people. A social-media ranking says nothing about whether parking will be available when you arrive, how busy Benson Bridge will be, or whether a trail suits your group.
The seasonal permit dates formerly included in these stories have been removed because they are outdated. Use the current Multnomah Falls visitor guide for the distinction between I-84 Exit 31 parking and the Historic Highway, public transit options, accessibility, and what to do when parking is full. A timed-entry permit, when required, does not guarantee a parking space.
If a relaxed waterfall outing matters more to you than recreating the famous bridge shot, compare the alternatives in the main guide or browse our Oregon waterfall hikes guide. Other waterfalls can get busy too; a lower profile is not a promise of solitude.
Silver Falls appeared in the 2023 list, too
The same 2023 reporting placed Silver Falls State Park eighth, with more than 97,000 Instagram tags. That makes it another Oregon entry in this historical ranking, not a substitute for checking current trail access, pet restrictions, or accessibility.
The original story also highlighted an accessible trail addition and guided tree-climbing experiences covered by The Oregonian’s Peak Northwest series. The video below is retained as part of that 2023 coverage; confirm current offerings with the operator before booking.
More photographs of Multnomah Falls
For a meal alongside your waterfall visit, our Multnomah Falls Lodge dining feature covers the historic restaurant setting and links to current menus and reservations.
Editorial note: This page combines our September 2023 ranking coverage with the distinct June 2024 BonusFinder reporting and photographs previously published in “Multnomah Falls Named Top Instagrammable Waterfall In US.” Original photo credits are preserved. The separate 2024 URL now points here.
