2024 Multnomah Falls Guide

At 611-feet (between the upper and lower portions), Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon and the crown jewel…

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The upper section of Multnomah Falls. As seen from the bridge.

At 611-feet (between the upper and lower portions), Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon and the crown jewel of the state.

It’s been on our bucket list for quite some time and recently, we were fortunate enough to finally see it for ourselves. Let me tell ya, it was every bit as epic as we were expecting.

We discovered, however, that depending what time of year you go, it isn’t as simple as just, ‘showing up’. You will have a few things to iron out before going.

So what do you need to know before going? Will you need a permit? Is there an admission fee? How do you get there? We cover all of that and more below. (Updated January 22nd, 2024.)

*A big fire ripped through this area a few years ago and severely damaged many trails. Some have been repaired and reopened, but others remain closed. For up-to-date information on trail closures and what’s open, refer to the website, “Ready Set Gorge”.

*Multnomah Falls, including its trails, are open to the public.

Directions To Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls sign at the park entrance.

Multnomah Falls is easy to get to and is conveniently located right off of the Columbia Gorge Historic Scenic Byway.

The nearest town to it is Troutdale, Oregon, but it isn’t far from major cities like Portland and Vancouver. In fact, it’s only a 30-minute(ish) drive from either.

Distance to Multnomah Falls

  • From downtown Portland: 32 miles or a 35 minute drive

  • From Portland Airport: 26 miles or a 30 minute drive

  • From downtown Vancouver: 34 miles or a 40 minute drive

  • From Salem, Oregon: 75 miles or a 1 hour and 20 minute drive

  • From Eugene, Oregon: 140 miles or a 2 hour and 15 minute drive

It’s one of the most visited natural sites in the Pacific Northwest, so road signage is plentiful. Plugging in, ‘Multnomah Falls”, into your GPS of choice will get you there easily.

What we suggest you do, especially if you’re coming from Portland, is to start at Vista House and then work your way from waterfall to waterfall along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

 

Multnomah Falls Parking

Small parking lot across the street from Multnomah Falls.

There are two parking lots at Multnomah Falls. The closest is the small one directly across the street from the lodge along the historic highway. By our estimate, it can hold around fifty vehicles.

If you’re able to snag a spot here (like we did), it’ll grant you the fastest and most convenient access to the falls. Just cross the street and you’re there. In addition, you won’t need a parking permit.

It’s a small lot, though. We were here in March, arrived early, and got the second to last available spot. In the summer months, it can and does fill quickly.

The larger lot is right off of I-84 via exit 31. A walking path leads you from the lot, under the highway and to the crosswalk. There’s no fee during the off-season. However, between May and September, you’ll need a timed use permit (more on that below).

 

Multnomah Falls Timed-Use Permits

Upper section of Multnomah Falls.

During the summer months, you will need a timed reservation in order to park at the I-84 lot (exit 31). In 2023, the official timeframe is May 26th - September 4th.

*Note: There hasn’t been an announcement as of yet pertaining to timed reservations for 2024. However, the 2023 test proved to be successful, so I predict the same process for this year. I will update this post when details are released.

Timed reservations are made through Recreation.gov and there are two options to consider:

  • Option One: Timed reservations become available 14-days from your desired date, starting at 7am PST, on a rolling daily period. For example, if your desired date is August 15th, reservations become available August 1st. at 7am PST.

  • Option Two: A certain (unspecified) amount of timed reservation permits will be available for same-day, in person pick up at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and at the Cascade Locks Historical Museum.

The fee for a reservation is $2.00, per permit. You’ll only need one permit, per vehicle. This is NOT a per person charge. If you arrive early enough and find parking at the small lot along the historic highway, a timed use permit is NOT required.

In 2022, Oregon officials decided to restrict access to the historic highway (waterfall corridor) between Bridal Veil Falls and just past Multnomah Falls via a timed use permit during the summer months.

For 2023 (and presumably beyond), they’ve decided to contain the permit requirement to just the I-84 parking lot for Multnomah Falls. You will NOT need an additional permit to access the waterfall corridor.

Some other things you’ll need to know:

  • You must arrive at the time stated on your reservation. You’ll be given a one-hour grace period. After that, your reservation becomes invalid.

  • You can show either a printed copy or the digital version (preferred).

  • Drop-offs in front of the Lodge will not be allowed.

  • Once you’re there, you can stay for as long as you like.

  • Timed reservations are NOT required if you arrive via shuttle, bicycle, or tour.

 

Shuttle Service To Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls as seen from Benson Bridge.

Taking a shuttle to Multnomah Falls is an excellent alternative to driving and dealing with the traffic congestion.

There are numerous operators, each with their own fees, operation schedules, and pick-up locations. All, however, offer hop-on/hop-off privileges at all the main sites.

These include:

  • Multnomah Falls

  • Crown Point (Vista House)

  • Latourell Falls

  • Bridal Veil Falls

  • Wahkeena Falls

  • Horsetail Falls

  • And more!

Fares vary, but between the three that we’ve found, it seems to be a range of $15 - $21, per adult. Some include one child in the price.

Here are the shuttle operators. Tap or click the name to go to their website:

The cost of shuttles are way more than the reservation fee for sure, but the advantages of not having to worry about getting one at all or dealing with parking may be worth it to you.

 

Lower Viewing Deck

Lower viewing deck at Multnomah Falls.

The main viewing deck is in front of the lower section of the falls. It’s the easy to get to as it’s just to the left of Multnomah Falls Lodge.

There’s a ramp to the right of the stairwell enabling access for wheelchairs and strollers. You can enter the ramp near the lodge’s snack bar.

It’s where most people view and photograph the falls from and is open year round. Even on a busy day, there’s plenty of elbow room.

 

Benson Bridge

The Multnomah Falls Bridge.

The footbridge is a unique feature of Multnomah Falls. It is named after a man named Simon Benson, who is the person responsible for the bridge’s conception.

It was built in 1914 and is made of reinforced concrete. It spans across Multnomah Creek, between the waterfall’s two cascades, 105-feet above the base of the lower fall.

It provides unparalleled views of the upper section and connects visitors to the trail leading to the top of Multnomah.

To access the bridge, you’ll see an iron gate to the side at the lower viewing deck. Go through the gate and continue up the Larch Mountain trail.

*During winter, the bridge is known to freeze over. If this occurs, that gate will be closed and visitors are not allowed past that point.

From the lower viewing deck, it’s a 2/10’s of a mile, steadily uphill walk to the bridge. It is paved and the falls are within view nearly the entire route.

 

Hiking Trails To The Top & Beyond

Hiking trail to the top of Multnomah Falls.

If you’re feeling up to it, you can continue for another 8/10’s of a mile (one-mile from the bottom) to the top of Multnomah Falls.

You’ll be going up switchbacks the entire way and there’s a small viewing deck at the end overlooking the top of the falls.

We decided against this as the bridge was fairly iced over and we were told by others coming back down that the trail itself was worse.

If it’s warmer while you’re here, we definitely recommend going up there. We’ll be doing it on our next visit for sure.

There are two other destinations you can reach from this trail. They are:

  • Wahkeena Falls: Via the Wahkeena Trail portion, you’ll continue past the upper deck of Multnomah Falls and will eventually reach Wahkeena Falls, passing multiple other waterfalls along the way. Total milage from the bottom is 1.8-miles.

  • Larch Mountain: For those looking for a challenge, hike up to Larch Mountain. Based on the pictures we’ve seen, the views are spectacular. Total milage from the bottom is 6.8-miles.

SEE MY TOP RECOMMENDATION FOR A DAY HIKE BACKPACK ON AMAZON HERE!

 

Multnomah Falls Lodge

Multnomah Falls Lodge.

Multnomah Falls Lodge is an authorized concessioner providing many amenities to visitors. It features a gift shop, restroom, restaurant, and espresso bar.

If you want to dine here, specifically in the summer months, reservations are highly ecouraged. If you want to check out their menu, go here.

If you’re like us and visit during the off-season, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a table. We walked in and we’re seated right away.

The service was great, we were seated at a table with a great view of Multnomah, the beer was cold, and the food was good.

 

Nearby Lodging

Despite the name suggesting so, Multnomah Falls Lodge doesn’t have a hotel attached to it.

If you’ll be spending the majority of your vacation in the Columbia River Gorge, here are a few hotels located nearby:

Columbia Gorge Hotel: In Hood River, Oregon, 25-miles east

Best Western Columbia Inn: In Cascade Locks, Oregon, 11-miles east

Edgefield Manor: In Troutdale, Oregon, 18-miles west

So where should you stay? That’s dependent on your preferences, plans, and budget. If you’re coming strictly for the gorge, we would recommend staying in Troutdale or Cascade Locks.

If you plan to visit Portland as well, basing yourself in the downtown area and driving/shuttling into the gorge may make more economic sense.

 

Weather and Best Time To Go

Multnomah Falls and Benson Bridge.

We visited Multnomah Falls in March of 2022. The weather, while a bit chilly in the morning, was great and we experienced very little in the way of crowds.

If your goal is to see Multnomah at its peak flow and the least amount of visitors possible, we recommend visiting in either winter or mid-spring.

Just keep in mind that due to the mist from the upper fall, Benson Bridge often freezes over and thus, the bridge and trail closes to the public for safety.

In winter, the lower viewing deck could also be frozen over due to snowy conditions.

During our visit, the bridge was partially frozen, but open. We witnessed more than a few people nearly eat concrete (including us) because of it.

If you want to ensure that you can access the bridge, then summer or fall would be the times to go. However, these months come with their own downsides:

  1. Crowds get thick.

  2. Parking can be difficult to come by.

  3. You’ll need a timed reservation to go.

  4. The flow dies off a little bit (winter/spring is the peak).

  5. It’s hot (summer)

If you can stomach the above challenges, then visiting during summer or fall would be the way to go if Benson Bridge is important to you.

For our next visit, we plan to go during the fall. We’ve seen photographs of the fall foliage in the gorge and it is simply stunning.

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Additional Information & Reminders

Multnomah Falls and Benson Bridge.
  • There are no EV charging stations. The nearest ones are in Troutdale, Oregon, west of Multnomah Falls.

  • Drone use is prohibited. It’s painful, but true. As of January, 2022, the use of drones at Multnomah Falls is prohibited.

  • Reservations may be required. If your visit coincides with the mid-May to mid-September timeframe, you will need a reservation through recreation.gov.

  • There are amenities. There’s a clean restroom, gift shop, ATM, snack bar, and restaurant on-site, but no lodging. The closest hotels are in either Troutdale or Cascade Locks.

  • The bottom platform is handicap accessible. There’s a ramp adjacent to the stairs leading to the bottom platform. All of it is paved. The trail going to bridge, while paved, is not accessible.

  • Pets are allowed. As long as they’re leashed, you can bring your pet.

  • Benson Bridge may be closed during your visit. If it freezes over, Benson Bridge closes to the public.

Guests sitting down and eating at the Multnomah Falls Lodge restaurant.

A Quick Note…

We’re often asked about the equipment we use to capture the photos on our website. Below, we’ve added Amazon links to those products and others we recommend. 

If you decide to purchase, Amazon will pay us a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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A Quick Guide To Visiting The Beautiful Wahkeena Falls (Oregon)

Wahkeena Falls (Wa-Kee-Na) is a multi-tired waterfall along Oregon’s famed, ‘Waterfall Corridor’, in the awe-inspiring Columbia River…

5 minute read | Contains affiliate links

Wahkeena Falls (Wa-Kee-Na) is a multi-tired waterfall along Oregon’s famed, ‘Waterfall Corridor’, in the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge.

Named after the Yakama word for, “most beautiful”, Wahkeena Falls has a total height of 242-feet. It may not be as tall as its neighbor, Multnomah Falls, but it’s no less gorgeous.

In this quick guide, we’ll show you a few of the photos we took during our visit and fill you in on some details you’ll want to know before visiting. Let’s do this!

Waken Falls in Oregon.

Getting To Wahkeena Falls

Distance from:

  • Portland: 29 miles east (30 minute drive)

  • Troutdale: 14 miles east (17 minute drive)

  • Vista House: 8 miles east (19 minute drive)

  • Multnomah Falls: 8.5 miles west (15 minute drive)

  • Cascade Locks: 14 miles west (22 minute drive)

  • Vancouver: 32 miles west (33 minute drive)

  • Bend: 162 miles north (3 hour and 15 minute drive)

Coming from Portland or Troutdale, you’ll be on I-84 east for most of the drive. You’ll take exit #28 to Bridal Veil and continue straight on the Historic Columbia River Highway.

From Cascade Locks or further, you’ll travel on I-84 west before taking exit #35 and merge onto the Historic Highway.

If you’re coming from the west, Wahkeena Falls will be after Bridal Veil Falls on your right. If you’re coming from the east, it’ll be after Multnomah Falls on your left.

Wahkeena Falls entrance sign.

Parking

Even during the off-season, parking can be scarce at Wahkeena Falls. There’s a small pull-out style lot across the street and an even smaller one in front of the entrance.

When we arrived, both were full. We were here in March, which isn’t a particularly busy time. So in the summer, we can imagine how insane it gets.

If you find yourself in the same situation, do what we did and circle around. This is a spot where most people get out of their car, check it out, and move on.

Chances are good that if you circle around - or even just come back to it later - you’ll snag yourself a spot. Patience will take you far, here.

A hiker walking towards Wahkeena Falls.

Hiking At Wahkeena Falls

You can partially view the waterfall from the main viewing deck below, like most people. If you want a great view, though, take the trail up to the footbridge.

While not as famous as Benson Bridge over at Multnomah, Wahkeena Falls has a bridge of its own and yes, you can walk up to it!

Standing in the parking lot and facing Wahkeena Falls, the trail is to your right. If you take the one to your left, you’ll end up at Multnomah.

The trail is part dirt, part gravel and is a 2/10’s of a mile, uphill walk (can’t really designate this as a hike). We would rate the trail as easy for most.

Wahkeena Falls at the footbridge.
Wahkeena Falls and the footbridge.

Wahkeena Falls To Fairy Falls

From the footbridge, you can hike a little further up Wahkeena Canyon to another beautiful waterfall, Fairy Falls. It is less than a mile from here.

Due to icy conditions on the trail, we decided to skip it and bank it for our next visit. If you’re here when its warmer, though, you should definitely go for it.

*To see what Fairy Falls looks like, check out the website, The Outbound

Wahkeena Falls To Multnomah Falls Loop

Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls are connected by a network of hiking trails. One of them runs parallel to the Historic Highway between the two waterfalls.

The other trail takes you up to the footbridge, past Fairy Falls, and eventually reaches the top of Multnomah.

From there, drop down to the base of Multnomah Falls and continue left on the trail parallel to the highway, completing the loop.

One-way milage for this hike is 1.8 miles and based on what we’ve been told, the hike is moderate for most. So just use your best judgement.

The upper section of Wahkeena Falls.

Is Wahkeena Falls Open?

That’s a question often asked. A big fire ripped through Oregon’s side of the gorge a few years ago and heavily damaged numerous trails and foliage.

To answer your question, yes, Wahkeena Falls IS open. As is the entire loop trail to Multnomah Falls. To get current information on closures, check out the website, Ready Set Gorge.

 

Weather and Best Time To Go

A lot of this is based on your personal preferences and ability to deal with weather conditions.

  • Summer: It’s warm/hot with little to no rain. So you won’t have to worry about icy conditions. However, you will be dealing with heavy crowds and needing a permit to access the Historic Highway.

  • Winter: Crowd levels will be low, but you’ll be dealing with snow and ice conditions. Benson Bridge will be closed for the majority of the season due to it icing over.

  • Spring: The weather improves, but you’ll be dealing with on and off again rain showers. Mornings are chilly, with ice still present at certain points along the trail. Crowd levels begin to pick up.

  • Fall: When they peak, fall colors in the gorge are breath taking. Crowds start tapering off from the summer and the weather, while still rainy, is mostly mild.

Colorful floral along the trail to Wahkeena Falls.

It is our hope that this article was helpful to you in planning your next adventure. If so, please share it with your family and friends on Facebook or Pinterest.

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Oregon's Waterfall Corridor Permit: Everything You Need To Know To Get One

If you’re planning to visit the many waterfalls, State Parks, and trails along Oregon’s famed, Waterfall Corridor, and you intend…

5 minute read | Contains affiliate links

If you’re planning to visit the many waterfalls, State Parks, and trails along Oregon’s famed, Waterfall Corridor, and you intend to drive, you’re going to need a permit.

The Historic Columbia River Highway (aka, Waterfall Corridor) is a narrow, two lane road that allows visitors easy access to the multiple natural attractions in the area.

The problem is, during the busy summer months, this road has been known to experience heavy traffic congestion. On top of that, parking is nearly impossible to find.

Due to this, the Oregon Department of Transportation decided to implement a vehicle access permit system this year in an effort to reduce the amount of vehicles on the road at a time.

In order to help make your visit go as smoothly as possible, we wrote this comprehensive guide to bring you all the information you’ll need to either get a permit or avoid it all together.

Permit Information

Oregon waterfall corridor permit checkpoints.

How To Get A Permit, Dates, & Cost

*Official information is a bit scarce at the moment. This article will present current information provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation. As more information gets released, it will be added to this article.

A permit will be required for anyone planning to drive on the Historic Columbia River Highway between May24th and September 5th, 2022, between the hours of 9am and 6pm.

Thus far, no details have been given as to going about obtaining one.

However, considering permits for other area attractions like Multnomah Falls are obtained through Recreation.gov, one could assume that will be case here as well.

As far as cost goes, a representative of the Oregon DOT was quoted as saying, “we anticipate the fee to be around $2”. This will be per vehicle, not per person.

So while not set in stone, the fee is likely to be low and to simply cover the operational costs.

Checkpoint Locations

Per the Oregon DOT, there will be checkpoints at:

For context, Bridal Veil Falls is on the west side of this area with Ainsworth State Park being on the east side.

At these checkpoints is where you’ll present your timed permit. You can either show a printed copy or the digital version on your mobile device.

On your permit will be a specific time for you to enter. You will NOT be granted access prior to that time. You can, however, stay for however long you like.

*Also, you will only be able to come through one time. Once you exit through one of the checkpoints, you will NOT be able to re-enter.

*If you accidentally leave, you’ll either need another valid permit or come back after 6pm.

Columbia River Gorge Oregon.

What To Do If You Don’t Have A Permit

The whole point to this program is reduce traffic and its impact on the Gorge. Implementing the permit system allows for the number of vehicles along the highway to be reduced.

To assist in this goal, there are other ways you can visit the Waterfall Corridor without needing to worry about obtaining a permit.

They are:

  • Taking part in an organized tour

  • Utilizing one of the various shuttles that service the Gorge.

  • Park at or near Vista House and use a bicycle to get around.

  • Arrive by vehicle BEFORE 9am or AFTER 6pm.

One thing to keep in mind that walking along the Historic Highway is not an option. The road is simply too narrow and dangerous for pedestrians.

A few of the notable shuttle companies that service the Gorge are; Sasquatch Shuttle, Columbia Gorge Express, and Explore the Gorge.

*Having a permit only guarantees access. It DOESN’T guarantee parking. It would be wise to at least consider taking a shuttle in.

A rustic sign along the Historic Columbia River Highway in Oregon.

Attractions Affected (and not affected)

This may be your first time to the beautiful stretch of road and you may not know which attractions are and are not affected by this.

Below is a list of the most popular attractions that you will NOT be able to drive to without obtaining a permit:

  • Bridal Veil Falls (read our post about this waterfall, here)

  • Angel’s Rest hiking trail

  • Wahkeena Falls (read our post about this waterfall, here)

  • Multnomah Falls (requires a permit of its own)

  • Oneonta Gorge (currently closed)

  • Horsetail Falls

  • Ainsworth State Park

That said, there are multiple attractions you can still visit even if you don’t have a vehicle permit. Some of the most popular ones are:

  • Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint

  • Vista House

  • Latourell Falls

  • Elowah Falls

  • Upper McCord Creek Falls

  • Wahclella Falls

  • Bridge of the Gods

As you can see, there is still plenty to see. So if you weren’t able to get a permit, spend time at these and then make your way to the others after 6pm.

Benson Bridge at Multnomah Falls in Oregon.

Multnomah Falls Permit

There are two parking lots at Multnomah Falls; a small one right across the street along the Historic Highway and a second, large one off I-84.

If you manage to snag a spot in the smaller lot, then your vehicle permit will be the only one you’ll need.

Chances are though, you’ll need to park in the larger lot. If so, you’ll need a timed reservation in order to visit Multnomah.

We wrote a comprehensive guide on visiting Multnomah Falls. It covers their timed reservation policy, hiking trails, and more! Check it out here.

Bridal Veil Falls in Oregon.

The Parking Situation

As stated above, your timed permit to access the Historic Highway doesn’t guarantee you a parking spot at any of the above attractions.

With the exception of the large lot at Multnomah, the parking lots at the waterfalls are small. Even with the permit system in place, available parking will be scarce.

To save yourself the hassle, you may want to consider taking part in a tour or taking a shuttle in.

A Quick Note…

We’re often asked about the equipment we use to capture the photos on our website. Below, we’ve added Amazon links to those products and others that we recommend. 

If you decide to purchase, Amazon will pay us a small commission. This helps us keep Inked with Wanderlust running and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

It is our hope that this article was helpful to you in planning your next adventure. If so, please share it with your family and friends on Facebook or Pinterest.

You can further show support by subscribing to our newsletter below. In it, you’ll receive a once weekly newsletter containing announcements, new post alerts, news, and more!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please engage with us in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading and safe travels.

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How To See Bridal Veil Falls In Oregon

Located in the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge right off of the Historic Highway is the beautiful, easily accessed 120-foot waterfall…

6 minute read | Contains affiliate links

Located in the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge right off of the Historic Highway is the beautiful, easily accessed 120-foot waterfall, ‘Bridal Veil Falls’.

It’s part of the Oregon State Scenic Viewpoint and is on the site of an old lumber mill. The park is open year round and there are no entry or parking fees.

*If you’re visiting between May and September, you’ll need a vehicle permit to enter the Waterfall Corridor.

Bridal Veil Creek as seen from the bridge. Bridal Veil Falls, Oregon.

We were fortunate enough to discover this waterfall during our visit in March 2022. We learned quickly that Multnomah Falls wasn’t the only amazing waterfall around here.

In fact, there are MANY gorgeous waterfalls on the Oregon AND Washington side of the river. This post, though, will focus on Bridal Veil.

So are the trails difficult or easy? What can you expect once you reach the falls? How do you get there? We’ll answer these questions and more below!

 

Getting There

Bridal Veil Falls can be found along Oregon’s Waterfall Corridor inside the Columbia River Gorge. It’s super easy to find as its parking lot is right off the highway.

The exact address is E Crown Point HWY, Bridal Veil, OR 97010. Simply plugging, ‘Bridal Veil Falls’, into your GPS will suffice.

  • From Vista House: Leaving the Vista House lot, drive east on Historic Columbia River Highway for 4.5 miles. It’ll be the next waterfall AFTER Latourell Falls and the parking lot will be on your left (across from the Lodge).

  • From Cascade Locks: Travel west on Interstate 84. Take exit 35 to the Historic Columbia River Highway. It’ll be the next waterfall after Wahkeena Falls and the parking lot will be on your right. Total milage is around 18 miles.

  • From Portland: Make your way to Interstate 84 east and stay on it for about 25 miles. You’ll take exit #28 (look for signs stating Bridal Veil and/or Angel’s Rest) and follow the signs for the Historic Highway. The parking lot will be on your right.

Bridal Veil Falls Lodge in Oregon.

You’ll know you’ve arrived to the correct lot (aside from the signage) when you see Bridal Veil Falls Lodge across the street.

The park is located in between two equally beautiful waterfalls, Latourell Falls and Wahkeena Falls. Unlike them, though, Bridal Veil is on the north side of the highway.

Fees

There are no fees for Bridal Veil Falls, but if your visit coincides with the May through September timeframe, you will need a permit to access the Historic Highway.

The fee for this permit is $2 per vehicle and they will be verified by State Parks Staff between Bridal Veil (near exit 28) and Ainsworth State Park.

Trails to Bridal Veil Falls

Trail signage at Bridal Veil Falls, Oregon.

Overlook Loop Trail

On arrival, you’ll have a choice to make. You can go straight on the traditional Bridal Veil Falls trail or you can bear left to the overlook.

Initially, we had every intention of doing both (they are not connected). We were going to do the main trail, come back, and then go to the overlook.

However, we spent more time than we thought we would down there and by the time we got back to the split, we had run out of time.

We had dinner reservations in downtown Portland and if we didn’t leave at that moment, we would’ve missed it. So we had to bank it for next time.

Based on pictures we’ve seen, the trail is half a mile (roundtrip) and terminates at a wooded platform overlooking the top of the falls (similar to the one we went to).

*At the split (just off from the parking lot) you’ll find a restroom open to public use

A hiker on the trail to Bridal Veil Falls in Oregon.

Bridal Veil Falls Trail

The main trail to the base of falls is 3/4’s of a mile (roundtrip) on a slightly steep decent to Bridal Veil Creek and the falls.

It had just rained during our visit so the trail was a little muddy, but we had no problem navigating it. We would rate it as easy going down and easy to moderate going up.

A stairwell on the Bridal Veil Falls trail.

Soon after the second switchback is when you’ll run into the first of two bridges on the trail. This bridge is followed by a concrete stairwell leading you to the next bridge.

The second bridge takes you across Bridal Veil Creek and leads you to yet another stairwell, this one taking you up to a wooded viewing deck for the waterfall.

A hiker crossing a bridge over Bridal Veil Creek in Oregon.
A person viewing Bridal Veil Falls from the deck.

Take the stairwell to the viewing deck overlooking Bridal Veil Falls. The deck isn’t big so if it’s busy, you’ll have to hang out for a few minutes until a spot opens.

There are many different perspectives of the waterfall from here. If you’re into photography, you can get pretty creative here.

A person viewing Bridal Veil Falls from the deck.
Bridal Veil Falls in Oregon.

When you’re done, simply head back in the direction you came to the trailhead. From there, you can leave or see the top of the falls from the Overlook Loop.

Additional Things To Know

  • It is visible from the road, but don’t do it. That road is very narrow and the chance of a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident occurring is high. View the falls from one (or both) of the trails, not the road.

  • Drone use is prohibited. Like most of the gorge, drone use is not allowed at Bridal Veil.

  • No EV charging stations. The nearest ones are to the west of Bridal Veil in Troutdale.

  • Restroom is available. There is a restroom (vault variety) just ahead of the trail split near the parking lot.

Bridal Veil Creek near Bridal Veil Falls in Oregon.

Nearby Attractions

This area is littered with amazing natural sights, most of which require little to no effort to see (aside from driving around).

There’s so many that we couldn’t possibly list them all, but we will list a few of our favorites. If you’d like to see more, check out the website, Ready Set Gorge.

  • Multnomah Falls - The tallest waterfall in Oregon and one of the most visited natural sites in the PNW. Check out our guide by tapping/clicking on the link.

  • Vista House (Crown Point)

  • Wahkeena Falls

  • Oneonta Gorge (currently closed)

  • Bridge of the Gods (connects Oregon and Washington)

  • Latourell Falls

  • Ainsworth State Park

  • Horsetail Falls

  • Fairy Falls

  • Angel’s Rest (hiking trail)

  • And so much more!

A Quick Note…

We’re often asked about the equipment we use to capture the photos on our website. Below, we’ve added Amazon links to those products and others that we recommend. 

If you decide to purchase, Amazon will pay us a small commission. This helps us keep Inked with Wanderlust running and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

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