Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s tallest waterfall, dropping 620 feet in two main tiers in the Columbia River Gorge. You can see it from the developed lower plaza without taking a full hike; Benson Bridge is about 0.4 mile round trip, while the steep paved trail to the upper overlook is about 2.4 miles round trip. Parking—not the walk to the first view—is usually the hardest part of a visit.
Multnomah Falls quick facts
| Location | Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, about 30 miles east of Portland |
|---|---|
| Height | 620 feet total; two main drops |
| Lower viewpoint | Developed plaza near the lodge; the lower viewing area has an accessible route, though grades and crowds vary |
| Benson Bridge | About 0.4 mile round trip on a paved but uphill path |
| Upper overlook hike | About 2.4 miles round trip with roughly 700–750 feet of gain; paved, steep, and often crowded |
| Parking | I-84 Exit 31 is the main lot. A reservation never guarantees a space. The small Historic Highway lot is limited and privately operated |
| Permit now | The 2026 timed-use season ended September 7. Seasonal permits apply to private vehicles using the I-84 Exit 31 lot—not to every visitor. Check the official page for the next season |
| Transit | Columbia Gorge Express runs seven days a week between Portland, Troutdale, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, and Hood River |
| Best fit | First-time visitors, families wanting an iconic short-access view, and travelers who can plan around crowds |
| Allow | 30–60 minutes for the lower plaza and bridge; about 1.5–2.5 hours for the upper overlook hike |
Last fact-check: September 20, 2026. Confirm same-day access with ODOT’s Multnomah Falls permit page, Recreation.gov, and TripCheck.
Is Multnomah Falls worth visiting?
Yes—especially on a first Oregon trip or when someone in your group wants a major Gorge view without committing to a long trail. The tradeoff is popularity: the plaza, bridge path, and parking approaches can feel packed on summer weekends and sunny holidays. Arrive early, use transit when it fits, and keep a backup waterfall in mind.
Skip the crowds: quieter waterfalls near Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is iconic, but it does not need to be the hinge for your entire Gorge day. These alternatives are often calmer and each offers a different kind of visit. None is guaranteed to be empty: trailhead parking, fees, construction, weather, and closures can change, so check the linked guide and official alerts before leaving.
| Choose this waterfall | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Latourell Falls | A dramatic waterfall with very little walking | About 0.3 mile round trip to the lower falls, with a longer loop available. Oregon State Parks parking rules or fees may apply. |
| Bridal Veil Falls | A short forest walk for families | About 0.6 mile round trip. The return is uphill, and Oregon State Parks parking rules or fees may apply. |
| Wahclella Falls | A real canyon hike instead of a roadside crowd | About 2 miles round trip. Expect narrower trail sections and verify current Forest Service alerts and any trailhead fee. |
| Starvation Creek Falls | A low-effort stop farther east | A very short walk near Cascade Locks. It is less iconic, but useful when you want to move beyond the busiest central corridor. |
Want more choices? Use the Complete Oregon Waterfalls Guide to compare destinations by region, walking distance, and difficulty, or the Oregon Hiking Guide when the trail matters more than the roadside stop.
Multnomah Creek drops 620 feet in two main tiers over basalt cliffs. The lower plaza and lodge area provide the classic full-height view, so you do not need to hike to understand the scale of the falls. Early weekday mornings and the quieter shoulder seasons usually offer the least stressful visit.
How tall is Multnomah Falls?
The U.S. Forest Service describes Multnomah Falls as Oregon’s tallest waterfall at 620 feet, with a 542-foot upper drop and a 69-foot lower drop separated by the ledge crossed by Benson Bridge. Height rankings can vary when lists mix seasonal falls, single drops, and total multi-tier descents; the useful planning fact is that the entire two-tier falls is visible from the developed lower area.
Related: 10 Breathtaking Waterfalls Near Portland, Oregon
Hiking Information
The trail from the lodge area to the upper overlook is about 2.4 miles round trip with roughly 700–750 feet of elevation gain. It is paved, but the sustained switchbacks make it a moderate hike rather than an easy stroll.
For the shortest option, walk only to the lower plaza. Benson Bridge is about 0.2 mile from the lodge area, or roughly 0.4 mile round trip, on an uphill paved path. Families commonly make this walk, but wet pavement, steep grades, drop-offs, and heavy foot traffic mean adults should keep children close. The route beyond the lower plaza is not a dependable wheelchair or stroller trail.
Wahkeena Falls is roughly half a mile west of Multnomah Falls. The lower-falls outing is about 0.5 mile round trip and climbs quickly; longer routes continue toward Fairy Falls or connect with the Multnomah–Wahkeena trail system. Its parking area is also small, so treat it as a distinct hike rather than guaranteed overflow parking.
For a trail-focused alternative, compare the approximately 2-mile Wahclella Falls hike with the approximately 4.4-mile Dry Creek Falls hike. Both require more effort than the Multnomah plaza, and neither should be planned without checking current trail and parking conditions.
Directions to the Majestic Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls sits beside the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Bridal Veil and Troutdale. For the main public parking area, take I-84 to Exit 31 and use the pedestrian tunnel beneath the freeway. The smaller lot directly in front of the lodge on U.S. 30 is limited, privately operated, and may be full even when the highway is moving. Never stop on the shoulder or wait in an active travel lane for a space.
Car Free Options
Transit is often the least stressful option because it avoids the parking search. Columbia Area Transit’s Columbia Gorge Express serves Gateway Transit Center in Portland, Troutdale, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, and Hood River.
The route operates seven days a week, but extreme congestion can occasionally force a safe stop bypass. Check the current Columbia Gorge Express schedule and rider alerts before leaving. Riders using qualifying transit or shuttle service do not need the seasonal Exit 31 vehicle permit.
Multnomah Falls Historic Lodge
Multnomah Falls is one of the most visited natural sites in the Pacific Northwest, which is why access planning matters even outside the summer permit window.
Built in 1925, Multnomah Falls Lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and incorporates rock from around the Gorge. The restaurant, gift shop, snack bar, visitor services, and restroom availability can change by season or during renovation. As of September 2026, the official permit page says the indoor public restrooms are under renovation through November, with limited portable toilets available.
During the summer, vendors outside the lodge provide quick snacks like ice cream, soda, and coffee.
History of Multnomah Falls
The Legend of Multnomah Falls
According to Native American lore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess seeking a hidden bathing spot. Local Multnomah people also tell the tale of how the daughter of Chief Multnomah sacrificed herself by jumping from the top of the waterfall to save the tribe from a plague.
If you want a more in-depth story on the legend, we suggest heading over to Gary Randall's blog at MountHoodHistory.com
Best Times to Visit Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls flows year-round. Winter and spring usually bring the strongest water; late spring and summer bring the biggest crowds; fall can offer colorful foliage and a calmer weekday experience.
In cold weather, ice can close or complicate the trail above the lower viewing area even when the plaza remains accessible. In warm weather, parking and congestion are the larger constraint. Check weather, Gorge alerts, and TripCheck the morning of your visit.
If crowd avoidance matters more than peak flow, choose a weekday morning in fall or late winter, keep the plan flexible, and avoid assuming that a timed permit guarantees parking.
How Multnomah Falls Was Formed
The repeated Ice Age Missoula Floods helped expose and shape the Columbia Gorge’s basalt walls. Multnomah Creek, fed by precipitation, snowmelt, and springs on Larch Mountain, now drops 620 feet over those resistant lava layers in two main tiers.
The Bridge Over the Falls
Constructed in 1914 by Simon Benson, the Benson Bridge is a footbridge that spans Multnomah Creek between the two cascades of the falls. Benson, who aided in the building of the old Columbia highway, named the bridge after himself. Since its construction, the bridge has been a notable feature of the area.
The Benson Bridge, spanning Multnomah Creek between the lower and upper falls, is likely the most photographed piece of architecture in Oregon, drawing tourists from around the world.
Where to Stay Near Multnomah Falls
Whether you are just here to hike or see more of the nearby city, the following are some great choices for lodging nearby, up to 13 miles away.
Lodging
Camping
Before You Go
Check the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area alerts, TripCheck, and the official permit page before the drive. Gorge weather, ice, wildfire restrictions, construction, landslides, and parking operations can change faster than an evergreen guide.
Multnomah Falls is Dog Friendly
Leashed dogs are generally allowed in the developed area and on the trail. Crowds, wet pavement, steep switchbacks, heat, and limited space on Benson Bridge make the upper route a poor fit for some dogs. Pack out waste and never let a leash block the trail.
Is Multnomah Falls open to the public now?
Multnomah Falls is generally open year-round, but a trail segment, parking approach, lodge service, or restroom can close independently. Check the Forest Service alerts and TripCheck on the day you go rather than relying on an undated “open” answer.
Do you need a ticket or permit for Multnomah Falls?
Not year-round, and not as a per-person admission ticket. The 2026 system required one timed-use permit per private vehicle or motorcycle using the I-84 Exit 31 lot from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 22 through September 7. That season has ended. ODOT says information about the 2027 season will be posted on its permit page and Recreation.gov.
During an active season, a permit controls the vehicle’s arrival window; it does not limit the visit to one hour and does not guarantee a parking space. Transit, qualifying shuttle service, and bicycle arrivals do not use the Exit 31 vehicle permit. Read our 2026 permit-season update, then verify the current rule on Recreation.gov.
Connect this stop to the rest of your Oregon trip
- Compare waterfalls across Oregon by region, access, and trail difficulty.
- Browse the Oregon Hiking Guide when the trail—not the roadside stop—is the main event.
- Plan the Mt. Hood and Columbia Gorge region without trying to force the river and mountain into one rushed day.
- Use Troutdale as a west-Gorge base for an early start, food, and a practical overnight.
Using Portland as the base for a Gorge day? Our Portland travel guide helps with hotel location, transportation, and how much you can realistically fit around Multnomah Falls.
