Looking for the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls? I have you covered. Like many enthusiastic nature nuts, I typically drive past Multnomah Falls because of the crowds. Thankfully, there’s tons of great waterfalls near Multnomah Falls to scratch the itch. Let’s cover some of the best.
Best Waterfall Hikes Near Multnomah Falls
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Love the Columbia Gorge? You might enjoy reading our helpful Columbia Gorge Visitor Guides (Written by Locals)
Wahkeena Falls
- Mileage: 0.5 miles out and back
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
At 242 feet, Wahkeena Falls is dwarfed by its famous neighbor, Multnomah Falls, but overlooking it would be a mistake. The trail leading to the waterfall meanders through a dense forest adorned with vibrant ferns, moss-covered rocks, and towering Douglas firs, creating a picturesque setting that feels like a fairy tale.
The best way to experience this three-tiered waterfall is by hiking straight towards the gushing beauty to watch the water gracefully cascade over a rocky cliffside carpeted in ferns. Much less crowded than Multnomah Falls but no less beautiful, I recommend this easy hike to anyone looking to escape the crowds.
Elowah Falls
- Mileage: 1.5 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
At 213 feet, Elowah Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls near Multnomah Falls. Better still, the trail leading to the waterfall is considered one of the most scenic hikes in the Columbia Gorge, reason alone to visit.
The huge basaltic alcove the waterfall commands (which practically glows green with lichen), is an unforgettable sight. Popular with beginners, this easy 1.5-mile round trip jaunt might only wet your whistle for a longer hike.
If that’s the case, you can tack on a longer hike to the twin-barrel drop of Upper McCord Creek Falls. Build your own adventure? Yep. One of the many reasons this is one of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls.
Latourell Falls
- Mileage: 2.4 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Because of its proximity to Portland, Latourell Falls is one of the most popular waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls. Plunging an impressive 220 feet, this is the third tallest waterfall in the Columbia Gorge.
There’s two separate waterfalls along the loop, Upper Latourell Falls and (lower) Latourell Falls, which is located near the start of the trailhead. If you’d like the full experience, I suggest hiking the 2.4 mile loop to two-tiered Upper Latourell Falls after admiring lower Latourell Falls.
Enveloped among Douglas-firs, red cedars, fern-furred maples, and other key plays of the verdant Pacific northwest rain forest, you’ll also enjoy some full-on “forest bathing” on this easy/moderate hike.
Wahclella Falls
- Mileage: 1.9 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: Yes, Northwest Forest Pass or $5 at trailhead
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Wahclella Falls Trail is an easy 1.9 mile out-and-back waterfall hike near Multnomah Falls that shouldn’t be overlooked. As you venture along the trail, you’ll be swallowed up by a lush forest canopy, adorned with ferns, mosses, and towering trees.
The trail follows the course of Tanner Creek, meandering past rocky outcroppings before slowly unveiling Wahclella Falls, a magnificent 100-foot waterfall plunging into a pristine emerald pool below. You get a lot of bang for your buck on this hike, which is why I consider this one of the best waterfalls near Multnomah Falls.
Bridal Veil Falls
- Mileage: 1.4 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Bridal Veil Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls for kids because it’s easily accessible (this is more of a walk than a hike). There’s two short hikes to choose from.
The first is the Overlook Trail, which is a half-mile walk to a paved overlook with breathtaking views of the Gorge. You’ll get a unique vantage of Beacon Rock, Hamilton Mountain alongside sweeping views of the Columbia River below.
The second option is the lower trail, which is 1/2 mile walk to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, a picturesque 118 foot waterfall that is only accessible via short hike. Since both trails are easy to do with kids I recommend tackling them in tandem.
Dry Creek Falls
- Mileage: 4.4 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: Northwest Forest Pass
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
If you’ve ever wondered what hikers experience while on the 2,000 mile+ Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) you can see for yourself by hiking 4 miles of the trail to Drift Creek Falls. The trailhead is found right at the base of Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, Oregon.
This damp slice of classic Pacific Northwest forest is a great stopover on a road trip from Portland to Hood River.
Meandering past dramatic lava rock formations, you’ll follow the (easy) trail before spitting out at the grand finale: a show-stopping amphitheater of basalt from which Drift Creek Falls plunges a little over 60 feet.
Here people enjoy stopping for a bite to eat before heading back, this time uphill on a slight incline, recrossing small creeks and footbridges to return to civilization. Perhaps a 4-mile hike is just what you need while searching for the best hikes near Multnomah Falls. If so, Dry Creek Falls is sure to fit the bill.
Moderate Hikes Near Multnomah Falls
Punch Bowl Falls
- Mileage: 4.2 miles
- Parking Pass Required?: Yes, Northwest Forest Pass or $5 at trailhead
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash
Located about 2-miles into the epic Eagle Creek Trail en route to Tunnel Falls, Punch Bowl Falls is an aptly-named waterfall well worth the trek. This adventurous hike lives up to to the hype, even with the charred tattoo of the teenager-caused Eagle Creek Fire of 2017.
The trail follows towering basalt walls, mammoth conifers, vine-tangled maples and a plethora of cascading waterfalls. Reaching Punch Bowl Falls requires some rock scrambling towards the end due to a recent log jam.
Indeed, every inch of the trail treats hikers to the quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, which is why it’s one of the best hikes near Multnomah Falls.
Good to Know: Locals swarm to this beloved watering hole in the hot summer months, but take warning – cliff diving is prohibited (and subject to a $300 fine).
Oneonta Gorge
- Mileage: 1 mile
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, must be leashed (and make sure they can swim)
The defining characteristic of the Columbia Gorge is sprawling grandeur, with the huge river muscling between soaring (and often mist-scrawled) cliffs. Hitting depths of 200 feet deep in some places, some as narrow as 20 feet across.
Nowhere is there a better example of the diverse range of waterfalls near Multnomah Falls than Oneonta Gorge. Representing a very different character: tucked-away, shadowy, and intimate, there’s a mystical vibe to this trail few can resist.
No formal trail traces this mossy slot canyon upstream; from the roadside pullout by the Oneonta Tunnel, you proceed by scrambling over rocks and logs and wading the creek itself. Summer, with its lower—and warmer—water, is best for this hike.
This is also one of many utterly remarkable waterfall hikes in the Gorge: The tight-walled, magical defile leads to the beautiful, hundred-foot streamer of Oneonta Falls—a heck of a turnaround point. Indeed, it’s these mystical fairy-tale like features that make Oneonta Gorge one of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls.
**Important: As of this writing (June 2024), Oneonta Gorge remains closed because of the impacts of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. It’s a spectacular Columbia Gorge hike so it warrants inclusion here.
Challenging Hikes Near Multnomah Falls
Angel’s Rest
- Mileage: 4.8 miles
- Elevation: 1,500 feet
- Parking Pass Required?: No
- Dogs Allowed? Yes, must be on a leash
Alright, you caught me, Angel’s Rest isn’t technically a waterfall hiking trail near Multnomah Falls, but I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention it. A great gateway eminence on the western side of the Columbia Gorge, Angel’s Rest offers a stunning bare-rock promontory some 1,500 feet above river level.
You’ll have to huff and puff your way up some switch-backs from the Historic Columbia River Highway trailhead to be rewarded with the panoramic views this popular hiking trail near Multnomah Falls offers.
But even before the rewards of the summit, you’ll get a fill of stirring vistas from the various wildfire-snagged slopes and rock expanses en route.
The vantage from the cliff-girt volcanic spine of Angel’s Rest include signature landmarks like Hamilton and Table mountains to the northeast, Cape Horn and Beacon Rock along the river, and Silver Star Mountain dominating the northern skyline.
List of the Best Waterfalls Near Multnomah Falls
In sum, here’s a quick list of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls, hope you enjoyed!
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Elowah Falls
- Latourell Falls
- Punchbowl Falls
- Dry Creek Falls
- Oneonta Gorge
- Wahclella Falls Trail
- Wahkeena Falls to Fairy Falls
- Angel’s Rest
You May Enjoy Reading: 15 Epic Hikes in the Columbia Gorge (For All Skill Levels)
Map of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls
Cheers!
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