Multnomah Falls

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Free(There is no entrance fee to view the waterfall itself; however, during the peak summer tourism season (May 22 to Sept 7), a mandatory $2.00 online Timed Use Permit is required per personal vehicle to utilize the I-84 Exit 31 main parking lot daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.)

Hiking TrailScenic LookoutSenior-FriendlyOutdoorPhotography SpotVisitor CenterMust-SeeLocal FavoriteWaterfallRiverForest

Overview

Multnomah Falls is a breathtaking, world-famous 620-foot roaring waterfall located deep within the sheer volcanic basalt walls of the Columbia River Gorge. Standing proudly as Oregon's tallest waterfall, the dramatic cascade is split into two distinct tiers and remains fed year-round by natural underground mountain springs. Visitors can walk along a paved trail to the historic Benson Bridge, a stone footbridge spans directly over the lower falls chasm, offering a mist-filled, awe-inspiring perspective of the rushing mountain waters crashing into the deep plunge pool below.

Practical Info

Multnomah Falls, Oregon 97014, USA

Suggested DurationAbout 1.5-3 hours

Best TimeThe absolute best season is spring (March to May) when winter snowmelt turns this iconic 620-foot two-tier waterfall into a roaring spectacle. Arriving before 9:00 AM is essential to avoid dense tour crowds and secure parking, capturing soft morning light hitting Benson Bridge.

Getting ThereLocated 30 miles east of Portland. Driving is standard; take I-84 East to the dedicated left-side parking lot located right between the highway lanes. Note: A timed-use reservation permit is required online for drivers from May to September. Columbia Gorge Express shuttles are available.

Travel Tips

From late May through early September between 9:00am and 6:00pm, accessing the falls via I-84 Exit 31 requires a pre-purchased Timed Use Permit from Recreation.gov; non-permitted vehicles are turned away.
The historic highway lot is tiny and congested; use the large central I-84 Exit 31 lot for easier access. To prevent smash-and-grabs, never leave backpacks or visible valuables inside your vehicle.

Photo Tips

Photo Spots

The iconic bridge offers the best framing for the double-tier falls; mist keeps the paths slick year-round and creates winter ice sheets, making non-slip hiking footwear and camera rain-covers mandatory.

Reviews

Positive

This world-famous 620-foot two-tier cascading waterfall offers unmatched visual grandeur. The view framing the historic stone footbridge absolutely lives up to its legendary postcard fame.
Operated as a free national scenic area park, the value is unbeatable. The winding forested hiking trails offer a fantastic, pure nature experience for casual walkers and photographers.
The park infrastructure and maintenance are exemplary, boasting a historic stone lodge with pristine restrooms, multilingual interpretive text, and wide ADA flat lookouts.
Accessibility is top-notch; it can be reached via scenic highways or dedicated highway off-ramps into a large free lot, backed by orderly crowd control and helpful park rangers.
The location is unbeatable right off Interstate 84; a short walk from the lot leads to the lower deck, highly accessible for seniors and strollers.
The historic stone lodge at the base houses a well-equipped visitor center, gift shop, and clean restrooms, offering orderly service and management.
It is completely free to visit, allowing you to experience one of the nation's most famous natural wonders at virtually no cost—unbeatable value.

Heads up

During peak summer weekends, the crowd density overloads heavily. Packed layers-deep with selfie-taking crowds, the roar of the canyon's majestic natural serenity is drowned by noise.
Without a car or booking an expensive commercial day-tour bus, public transit accessibility is non-existent; regular local bus routes from downtown Portland do not service this remote canyon.
While main lookouts are flat, the trail leading up to the footbridge features intense grades and sharp gravel switchbacks, completely blocking heavy strollers and frail seniors.
Peak seasons enforce a strict timed-entry permit reservation cap, and the surrounding gift shop novelty items and snack bars carry heavy tourist premiums, offering low value for money.
The crowd density here is overwhelmingly high; it is constantly packed with people, and the bridge is so choked with selfies that peace is impossible.
The dedicated median parking lot on the highway has very tight capacity; peak times trigger miles of gridlock at the exit, forcing many to give up.
The trail to the top is paved but incredibly steep and perpetually soaked by heavy waterfall mist, making the climb exhausting and slick.
Due to its massive fame, it feels slightly over-commercialized; the snack bars and cafes charge premium tourist prices for basic fast food.