Brigham Fish Market
A casual Columbia River fish market known for salmon, chowder, and quick post-hike meals.
View current hours, reviews, and location
Photo by Bonnie MorelandColumbia River Gorge · Near Cascade Locks
Horsetail Falls
Horsetail Falls is a roadside waterfall outing near Cascade Locks in Columbia River Gorge. This guide rates the visit easy and collects the practical information available for planning responsibly.
- DifficultyEasy
- AccessRoadside
- Round tripRoadside
- Nearest townCascade Locks
The place
Why Horsetail Falls is worth the stop
Horsetail Falls is a public waterfall destination near Cascade Locks, set in the Columbia River Gorge. The visit is best understood as a developed roadside stop rather than a stop measured only by waterfall height.
What the experience feels like
Expect developed roadside stop with a easy difficulty rating. Conditions can change quickly, so check the official source before the drive.
Visit details
Plan your trip
- Waterfall status
- Natural waterfall
- Public access
- Public destination; verify current alerts before travel
- Region
- Columbia River Gorge
- County
- Multnomah
- Nearest town
- Cascade Locks
- Total height
- 176 ft, commonly reported
- Form
- Horsetail
- Access type
- Roadside
- Round-trip distance
- Roadside
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Parking
- Use the signed public trailhead or day-use area
- Facts reviewed
- Editorial verification required before production
Verify access, fees, permits, and alerts with the responsible land manager
No star ratings
Why this is rated easy
The easy rating reflects the documented roadside access and approximately roadside round trip. Surfaces, weather, crowds, and seasonal closures can still create challenges.
EasyMinimal distance or straightforward developed access.
ModerateMore mileage, uneven terrain, or conditions requiring preparation.
HardLong, remote, exposed, or otherwise consequential travel.
Difficulty is a planning aid, not a guarantee. Snow, ice, heat, high water, trail damage, and individual ability can change the experience substantially.
Independent local picks
Eat and stay near Cascade Locks and the east Gorge
Cascade Locks has the most dependable cluster of services near these trail corridors. These are editorial suggestions, not paid placements.
Mosier Company
A welcoming neighborhood restaurant and patio for travelers continuing east through the Gorge.
View current hours, reviews, and locationBest Western Plus Columbia River Inn
A reliable Cascade Locks base beside the river and close to several major waterfall trailheads.
View current hours, reviews, and locationRecommendations were editorially reviewed in August 2026. Businesses, quality, hours, prices, and availability can change; confirm current details before relying on a stop.
Keep exploring
Other waterfalls nearby
Selected first from the same practical road, park, or trail corridor—not from straight-line distance alone.
Make a day of it
More around Cascade Locks
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