Plummeting 620 feet from its origins on Larch Mountain, Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. Nearly two million visitors a year come to see this ancient waterfall making it Oregon's number one public destination
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is a waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, located east of Troutdale, between Corbett and Dodson, along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The falls drops in two major steps, split into an upper falls of 542 feet (165 m) and a lower falls of 69 feet (21 m), with a gradual 9 foot (3 m) drop in elevation between the two, so the total height of the waterfall is conventionally given as 620 feet (189 m).
Underground springs from Larch Mountain are the year-round source of water for the waterfall, augmented by spring runoff from the mountain's snowpack and rainwater during the other seasons. Multnomah Falls offers one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to study geology exposed by floods as five flows of Yakima basalt are visible in the fall's cliff face.
A foot trail leads to Benson Footbridge, a 45-foot (14 m) long footbridge that allows visitors to cross 105 feet (32 m) above the lower cascade. The trail continues to a platform at the top of the upper falls where visitors get a bird's-eye view of the Columbia Gorge and also of "Little Multnomah", a small cascade slightly upstream from the "upper" falls, which is not visible from ground level. The Mark O. Hatfield Memorial Trail starts at the falls and continues through the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge to Starvation Creek. The footbridge is named for Simon Benson, who financed the bridge's construction in 1914 by Italian stonemasons.
In contrast to other falls along the Gorge, the Multnomah area is also reachable via a stretch of I-84 east of Troutdale, Oregon. The rest area and tunnel under the road (as well as the Union Pacific Railroad tracks) allow Interstate travelers from either direction to stop and visit the falls.
Underground springs from Larch Mountain are the year-round source of water for the waterfall, augmented by spring runoff from the mountain's snowpack and rainwater during the other seasons. Multnomah Falls offers one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to study geology exposed by floods as five flows of Yakima basalt are visible in the fall's cliff face.
A foot trail leads to Benson Footbridge, a 45-foot (14 m) long footbridge that allows visitors to cross 105 feet (32 m) above the lower cascade. The trail continues to a platform at the top of the upper falls where visitors get a bird's-eye view of the Columbia Gorge and also of "Little Multnomah", a small cascade slightly upstream from the "upper" falls, which is not visible from ground level. The Mark O. Hatfield Memorial Trail starts at the falls and continues through the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge to Starvation Creek. The footbridge is named for Simon Benson, who financed the bridge's construction in 1914 by Italian stonemasons.
In contrast to other falls along the Gorge, the Multnomah area is also reachable via a stretch of I-84 east of Troutdale, Oregon. The rest area and tunnel under the road (as well as the Union Pacific Railroad tracks) allow Interstate travelers from either direction to stop and visit the falls.
Multnomah Falls Trail
From the information center, visitors can follow the 1.2 mile trail (2.5 miles round trip) that climbs approximately 600 feet to the top of Multnomah Falls. This trails provides great views of the falls and the Columbia River Gorge. Once at the top of the falls, hikers can continue onward for six miles to the top of Larch Mountain or take the six mile Wahkeena Loop trail.
While visiting Multnomah Falls please practice the Leave No Trace Ethic by observing the following guidelines:
While visiting Multnomah Falls please practice the Leave No Trace Ethic by observing the following guidelines:
- Stay on the paved trail at all times
- Make sure that pets are on a leash and In control at all times
- Do not litter or throw coins into the creek
- Extinguish and properly dispose of cigarette butts
Multnomah Falls Lodge
In 1925 the city of Portland commissioned local architect A. E. Doyle to design a structure. Doyle had already completed several structures in Portland, including the Multnomah County Central Public Library, the Meier & Frank Department Store, the U.S. National Bank Building, and the Benson Hotel. He created a 2 1/2 story rustic masonry lodge for a site below the falls and near the highway. The firm of Waale-Shattuck constructed it for $40,000.
The lodge exterior was in the "Cascadian" style, using native split fieldstone laid irregularly and varying in shades from black and gray to brown and red. Its "Country English" form includes a steeply pitched cedar-shingled gable roof with dormers and massive chimneys. It was completed in 1925, and provided both meals and lodging for travelers. It had dormitories and four rooms for overnight stays. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and every type of rock found in the Columbia River Gorge is represented in the Lodge.
By 1927, the building was enlarged, and in the next 65 years has undergone several remodelings, both inside and out, but still retains its original charm and character.
Since World War II, it has provided meals ranging from simple snacks to elegant dining, and houses a gift shop, public restrooms, and an interpretive center. The lodge is by no means "rustic" but rather has a sense of restrained elegance that catered to wealthy Portlanders who ventured out of the city in their motor cars to "rough it" in the country.
The lodge currently offers upscale Northwest style cuisine (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and an extensive award winning wine list featuring Oregon and Washington wines (as well as the finest in local micro-brewed beers) served in a comfortable and casual atmosphere.
For restaurant reservations and information: 503-695-2376
The lodge exterior was in the "Cascadian" style, using native split fieldstone laid irregularly and varying in shades from black and gray to brown and red. Its "Country English" form includes a steeply pitched cedar-shingled gable roof with dormers and massive chimneys. It was completed in 1925, and provided both meals and lodging for travelers. It had dormitories and four rooms for overnight stays. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and every type of rock found in the Columbia River Gorge is represented in the Lodge.
By 1927, the building was enlarged, and in the next 65 years has undergone several remodelings, both inside and out, but still retains its original charm and character.
Since World War II, it has provided meals ranging from simple snacks to elegant dining, and houses a gift shop, public restrooms, and an interpretive center. The lodge is by no means "rustic" but rather has a sense of restrained elegance that catered to wealthy Portlanders who ventured out of the city in their motor cars to "rough it" in the country.
The lodge currently offers upscale Northwest style cuisine (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and an extensive award winning wine list featuring Oregon and Washington wines (as well as the finest in local micro-brewed beers) served in a comfortable and casual atmosphere.
For restaurant reservations and information: 503-695-2376
Visitor Center
Brochures, books and maps of the Columbia River Gorge and the Pacific Northwest and Northwest Forest Passes are available. The Forest Service information center is open seven days a week form 9 AM to 5 PM. The desk is staffed jointly by the Friends of Multnomah Falls and the U.S. Forest Service. The staff is happy to serve you and answer your questions about the falls and the Columbia River Gorge. A brochure about Multnomah Falls is available in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Russian. Visitors may also inquire about free trail maps of the area and for the serious hiker, several detailed maps can be purchased.
Information: 503-695-2372
Information: 503-695-2372
Getting There (via Oregon Interstate 84)
Traveling West On Interstate 84
Traveling East On Interstate 84
- You may access Multnomah Falls via the Historic Columbia River Highway at Exit 35 or you may use the freeway parking lot by taking Exit 31
- It is reccomended that people with disabilities use Exit 35 for direct access to the lodge
Traveling East On Interstate 84
- You may access Multnomah Falls via the Historic Columbia River Highway at Exit 28 or you may use the freeway parking lot by taking Exit 31
- It is recommended that people with disabilities use Exit 28 or Exit 35 for direct access to the lodge
- If you would like to see the key waterfall area in the gorge, you may take Exit 17 or 18 and follow the Historic Columbia River Highway