About Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls

Plummeting 620 feet, in two different sections, Multnomah Falls is the most-visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest with more than 2 million visitors each year.

Fed by underground springs, the flow over the falls varies and is usually highest during the winter and spring months. Multnomah Falls offers one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to study geology exposed by floods. Six flows of Grande Ronde Basalt are visible in the fall’s cliff face, representing more than 400,000 years of geological history.

On the lower level of Multnomah Falls Lodge there is a public Visitor Center, snack bar, gift shop and adjacent accessible restrooms. The fully accessible restaurant is located on the upper level and can be accessed by stairs or elevator. The Visitor Center is jointly staffed by Friends of Multnomah Falls volunteers and the Forest Service. Offerings include a simple trail map and brochures about Multnomah Falls in multiple languages.

Reviews & Ratings

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October 2, 2025

moodblu

Awesome!

On a recent tour to the California & Oregon Coast, we went to the beautiful and iconic Multnomah Falls in the Columbia Gorge. We took the relatively easy hike up a very nice path to the bridge where we were able to take lots of pictures and enjoy the beautiful falls. Our only challenge was getting pictures without other tourists in them! There is a longer, steeper and more strenuous hike that proceeds from the bridge up to the top, which we did not go on. I was told by others on our tour that the harder hike was well worth the views from the top. If you aren’t able or have time for the walk up to the bridge, the entire waterfall and bridge can be seen from behind the lodge without having to take the walk to the bridge. Going to the bridge does enhance your enjoyment of the falls. Depending on the time of year, you can get wet at the bridge from the mist from the falls. We were there in September, when the waterflows are lighter, so this was not an issue. From the bridge, overlook & parking, there are scenic views of the Columbia River and gorge. There is a nice lodge there, including a restaurant, gift shop, and restrooms. We arrived at the falls by bus, so went on the freeway; I can’t speak to parking or reservation issues because any arrangements were made by our tour director.
September 28, 2025

Mike O

bad!

Terrible dangerous road to the site. Very narrow and lots of traffic! Once at site no parking! Very disappointed! We arrived at the area before 10 am.
September 1, 2025

Jim K

One of the most beautiful sites in Oregon

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful1 A must stop if you are in the Mt. Hood area. This is a very popular place so ahead. To visit this site you must get a timed entry set up so do that ahead. It only costs a few dollars to set up your time so what I did was booked two back to back. This way if we were late arriving, we could still get in. One thing we found out is that the general parking is not right next to the falls but a short distance right off the main highway. The falls were gorgeous and the hiking (unless you hike to the top of the falls) was easy to do.
August 30, 2025

abmilw

Nice falls hike, easy drive from downtown Portland, but ticket first

the parking pass you buy, really isn't a guarantee that you will have a parking spot, (and there is very limited parking). Go early in the morning, especially a weekend in any high season. The pass you buy is more a timed entry to control the crowds, so they don't get 1000 people each entering all at the same time. Paved path (allebit uneven) most of the way up to top of falls. Bathroom, snacks, gift shop at the base. Once get up near top, different path you can take to follow the river further into the hills. Really no swimming or wading, but people do. Nice views on way up. Summer morning was shaded and breezy. 2 hours and up and down, if rest or take photos maybe 2.5 to top and falls and back down. Thought it was worthwhile. Should be somewhat fit as maybe 700 feet climb.
August 18, 2025

ShadySpot

Bucket list item checked off!

This was a bucket list sight for me. Purchase a ticket from the National Park Service at recreation.gov. This will give you a timed entry for parking near the falls. Be sure to follow the directions on how to get to the parking as it is right off I-84. It is a short walk under the interstate to the falls-which you can see a part of from the interstate. There is a lot right across from the falls, but it is very small and costs $20 compared to the $2 for the timed permit. There is handicap access to the viewing area at the bottom of the falls. I did not walk up to the bridge, but I heard it is fairly easy to get to. There are videos on You Tube. The area is beautiful and the falls are breathtaking. If you can drive on Scenic Hwy 30, then take the time to do so. It is the local highway that goes past Multnomah and several other falls. The road is a small 2 lane, that is quite narrow in some places.