Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge

Multnomah Falls is the image of the Columbia River Gorge that ends up on postcards, and seeing it in person still surprises people. The water drops 620 feet in two tiers down a basalt cliff, making it one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States, and it does so just a few minutes' walk from a parking lot, about thirty miles east of downtown Portland. The upper falls plunge more than 500 feet into a pool, the lower falls drop around 70 more, and between them the slender concrete arch of the Benson Bridge, built in 1914, lets you stand in the spray. Below sits Multnomah Falls Lodge, a 1925 stone-and-timber building that houses a visitor center staffed by volunteers and the Forest Service, a snack bar, a gift shop and an upper-floor restaurant. For many visitors the lower viewing area and the short, paved climb to the bridge are enough. Hikers can continue on a steep, switchbacking trail to a small viewing platform at the top of the falls, a round trip of about 2.4 miles with roughly 600 feet of elevation gain, and from there longer trails lead deeper into the Gorge. Visiting is free, but there are rules to know. In summer — in 2026 from May 22 to September 7, 9am to 6pm daily — anyone parking a private vehicle in the large I-84 Exit 31 lot needs a timed use permit reserved on Recreation.gov, sold in one-hour slots for a small booking fee. Visitors arriving by bike, the Columbia Gorge Express bus or authorized shuttles and tours do not need one. Lodge restrooms are under renovation through November 2026, with portable toilets on site in the meantime.

The Columbia River Gorge is a National Scenic Area where the river cuts through the Cascade Range, and the Oregon side is lined with waterfalls that tumble off the cliffs. Multnomah is the tallest and most famous, but the Historic Columbia River Highway, built in the 1910s as one of America's first scenic roads, links it with others worth stopping for: Latourell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena and Horsetail falls, along with the Vista House viewpoint at Crown Point, perched above the river. Driving the historic highway from Troutdale east to Multnomah is one of the best half-days near Portland, though the road is narrow and its small pullouts fill quickly. In 2026 timed permits are not required on the historic highway itself, but the small paid lot in front of the lodge on that road is limited and fills early.

Choosing how to get there: without a car, the Columbia Gorge Express bus and private tours from Portland are the easiest options and avoid the permit question entirely. With a car outside the summer permit season, arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon; the I-84 lot closes automatically when full, and you should not enter if the barriers are down. In summer, book a permit online — releases open on a rolling basis fourteen days and two days ahead — or pick up one of a limited number of free permits at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale or the Cascade Locks Historical Museum. A permit does not guarantee a space, so check real-time conditions before you go. From the I-84 lot, a pedestrian tunnel passes under the freeway and railroad to the lodge.

When to go and what to expect: the falls are fullest in winter and spring, when rain and snowmelt swell them, and occasionally freeze into icy columns during cold snaps. Summer brings crowds and sometimes thinner flow; autumn adds color to the cliffs. The trail to the top can be muddy and slippery, so wear proper shoes and carry water. Check the Forest Service alerts before setting out, because storms, landslides and wildfire have closed Gorge trails in past years. Combine the falls with Vista House, a drive along the historic highway, and lunch in Hood River or Cascade Locks for a full Gorge day, or simply make the falls a two-hour round trip from Portland.