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Multnomah Falls.

Oregon’s tallest waterfall — 620 feet of basalt and mist, 30 minutes from Portland. Here’s everything you need to visit in 2026, including the permit system explained plainly.

620 ft

Total Height

542 ft

Upper Tier Drop

2M+

Visitors Per Year

$2

2026 Permit Fee

30 min

From Portland

I-84 Exit 31

Main Parking Lot

9 AM–6 PM

Permit Required (May 22–Sep 7)

10–15 min

Walk to Benson Bridge

Before 9 AM

Best Time — No Permit, No Crowds

At 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon and one of the tallest year-round falls in the United States. Two things make it worth the crowds. First, the falls themselves — a massive upper tier dropping 542 feet down a sheer basalt cliff, connected by the historic Benson Bridge to a 69-foot lower cascade that crashes into a pool at eye level. The scale is genuinely stunning, even for people who’ve seen hundreds of waterfalls. Second, the accessibility: unlike most waterfalls this size, you can drive right to it and be standing at the base in under five minutes. From there, a paved trail takes you to Benson Bridge in ten minutes, and a steep but manageable hike reaches the top in about an hour.
💡 Single Best Tip for 2026
Arrive before 9 AM. No permit required, minimal crowds, and morning light hits the falls beautifully. If you can be at the parking lot by 7:30 AM on a summer weekday, you’ll have the viewing platform and Benson Bridge nearly to yourself.
  • 2026 Permit System

How It Actually Works.

From May 22 through September 7, 2026, a timed-use permit is required to park at the main Multnomah Falls lot (I-84, Exit 31) between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Here’s exactly how it works.

🎫 Cost & How to Book

$2 per vehicle — one permit covers your car and all passengers. Reserve at Recreation.gov starting two weeks before your visit date. Permits become available at 7:00 AM Pacific Time. Popular summer weekends can sell out within hours — set a reminder.

⏱ How the Arrival Window Works

Your permit gives you a one-hour arrival window. You must arrive during that window — the permit becomes invalid if you miss it. However, once you’ve parked, you can stay as long as you want. There’s no time limit on your visit, only on when you pull into the lot.

🚶 When You DON'T Need a Permit

No permit required before 9:00 AM or after 6:00 PM at the I-84 lot. Also no permit if you arrive by bus, bicycle, shuttle, or on foot. Same-day free permits are available for walk-up pickup at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and the Cascade Locks Historical Museum — arrive early.

🚧 2026 Construction Note

The Historic Columbia River Highway (US 30) east of Multnomah Falls is closed through spring 2026 for viaduct construction. The small parking lot on the Historic Highway side has extremely limited access. Plan to use the I-84 Exit 31 lot as your primary approach.
The Honest Take
The permit system sounds intimidating but it’s actually made visiting Multnomah Falls significantly better. The parking lot used to overflow onto the highway, creating dangerous backups on I-84. Now, you reserve a window, show up, park, and enjoy. The $2 fee is trivial. The real trick is booking your permit two weeks out — or visiting outside the 9–6 window, which is often the better experience anyway.
  • Getting There

Four Ways to Arrive.

About 30 miles east of Portland via I-84. No permit needed when arriving by bus, bicycle, or on foot.
Most Common

Drive to the I-84 Lot

Take I-84 east from Portland to Exit 31. The dedicated Multnomah Falls parking lot sits between the eastbound and westbound lanes — 186 spaces. Simplest and cheapest option. $2 permit required during summer hours (9 AM–6 PM, May 22–Sep 7). Outside those hours and dates, just show up.
Most Common
Cheapest, most direct
CON

Permit required in summer; can still fill

1

Best Value · No Permit Needed

Columbia Gorge Express Bus

Columbia Area Transit runs the Columbia Gorge Express from Portland’s Gateway Transit Center (near I-205 and the MAX line) directly to Multnomah Falls, with additional stops in Cascade Locks and Hood River. $10 per single trip. GOrge Pass: $40 annual, $20 for kids — unlimited rides all season. No permit needed when arriving by bus.
Most Common
Cheapest, most direct
CON
Permit required in summer; can still fill

2

Scenic · No Permit Needed

Waterfall Trolley

Hop-on, hop-off service along the Historic Columbia River Highway from a free parking lot in Corbett. Your trolley ticket covers parking: $37 adults, $19 youth (6–12), under 6 free. Open-air trolley stops at multiple waterfalls including Multnomah Falls. No permit needed.
Most Common
Cheapest, most direct
CON
More expensive than driving

3

Free · No Permit Needed

Bicycle

Ride via the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail — a beautiful route. Note: e-bike parking is not allowed in the Multnomah Falls plaza. Regular bike parking is available but limited. Best approach is from the Troutdale area heading east.
Most Common
Free, scenic, great exercise
CON
Not practical for all visitors; limited bike parking

4

  • Hiking at Multnomah Falls

Every Level Covered.

From a 5-minute stroll to a full-day mountain summit — every option uses the same starting point.
Easy
5 min · Paved
Wheelchair accessible

Viewing Platform at the Base

From the parking area, walk through the pedestrian tunnel under I-84 and past Multnomah Falls Lodge. A paved, mostly accessible path leads to the viewing platform at the base of the falls — this is where everyone takes the classic photo. Flat, quick, and the spray from the lower falls feels wonderful on a hot day. Wheelchair accessible via ramp, though the grade is moderate.
Easy
5 min · Paved
Wheelchair accessible

Benson Bridge

Continue up the paved Larch Mountain Trail (Trail 441) for 0.2 miles and 335 feet of elevation gain to the historic Benson Bridge. Built in 1914 and funded by Portland lumber baron Simon Benson, this 45-foot concrete arch bridge spans the gap between the upper and lower tiers, 105 feet above the lower cascade. Standing on the bridge with the upper tier thundering above you and mist swirling around is the signature Multnomah Falls experience. The trail is steep in places but short.
Moderate–Strenuous
45–90 min round trip
2.4 mi · 700 ft gain

Top of the Falls Overlook

Beyond Benson Bridge, the trail steepens significantly, climbing through 11 numbered switchbacks and roughly 700 feet of elevation gain to a viewpoint at the lip of the upper falls. The trail is paved the entire way but portions are genuinely steep — this is a workout at elevation. The reward is a wooden overlook at the very top where you can look down the 542-foot drop and out across the Columbia River Gorge to the Cascade volcanoes on clear days.

What most people don’t know: The best views of the falls are from the lower portions of the trail and from Benson Bridge. As you climb higher, the falls gradually disappear below the tree line. The top-of-falls viewpoint is more about the panoramic Gorge views and the vertigo of looking straight down.

Extended
5.4 mi loop (Wahkeena) or 13.6 mi one-way (Larch Mtn)

Extended Hikes

Multnomah–Wahkeena Loop (5.4 miles, moderate–strenuous): The most popular extended hike. Continue past the top of Multnomah Falls, connect to the Wahkeena Trail, and descend past Wahkeena Falls back to the Historic Highway. You’ll pass half a dozen waterfalls including Fairy Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and several unnamed cascades. This is the hike to do if you want the full waterfall experience with fewer crowds than the main Multnomah trail. See our Oregon waterfalls guide for the full Gorge waterfall corridor.

Larch Mountain Trail (13.6 miles one-way): For serious hikers — the trail continues past Multnomah Falls all the way to Sherrard Point on the summit of Larch Mountain (4,055 feet), passing Wiesendanger Falls and Ecola Falls along the way. The summit viewpoint offers panoramic views of five Cascade volcanoes: Hood, St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, and Jefferson. A full-day commitment. See our Oregon hiking guide for more trail options.

  • When to Visit

Best Times to Visit.

The falls are spectacular year-round. The crowds are not. Here’s how to plan around both.

⏰ Time of Day Matters Most

The falls are spectacular year-round. The crowds are not. Here’s how to plan around both.

Winter (Nov–Mar) — Most Dramatic

Transforms the falls completely. Flow is heaviest after rain — sometimes thunderously powerful. In cold snaps, ice formations create extraordinary sculptural shapes on the rock walls. Snow dusts the surrounding forest. By far the least crowded season. No permit required. Dress for cold and rain; be cautious of icy conditions beyond Benson Bridge.
Best for: drama · solitude · ice formations · photography

Spring (Apr–May) — Peak Flow

Excellent water flow and the return of green to the Gorge. The nearby wildflower displays in the eastern Gorge are legendary during this period. The Gorge begins filling up by late April — weekday visits are noticeably calmer. No permit required until May 22.

Best for: water volume · wildflowers · fewer crowds than summer

Summer (Jun–Aug) — Peak Season

Everything is accessible and the Gorge is at full buzz. The permit system (May 22–Sep 7) has improved the experience significantly over previous years — but summer weekends are still busy. Arrive before 9 AM or book your permit two weeks ahead. The spray feels wonderful on a hot day.

Best for: hiking the full trail · warm weather · all facilities open

Fall (Sep–Oct) — Best Balance

Crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day while the weather stays pleasant. The Gorge foliage is spectacular in October. Permit season ends September 7, so no permit needed at any hour after that. Many experienced Gorge visitors consider September the sweet spot of the year.

Best for: no permits · shoulder-season crowds · fall color
  • Multnomah Falls Lodge

Built in 1925.
Still Serving Falls Views.

The historic lodge at the base of the falls was built in 1925 to serve early automobile travelers on the Columbia River Highway. It’s a beautiful example of Cascadian Rustic architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — worth a look even if you’re not stopping for food.

The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner with Pacific Northwest cuisine. Window tables have direct views of the falls. The visitor center is staffed jointly by the USFS and the volunteer Friends of Multnomah Falls — they’re excellent resources for trail conditions and Gorge information.

What's Inside

Restaurant (brunch, lunch, dinner) · Gift shop · USFS visitor center staffed by Friends of Multnomah Falls · Restrooms · Falls views from window tables

Historic Significance

Restaurant (brunch, lunch, dinner) · Gift shop · USFS visitor center staffed by Friends of Multnomah Falls · Restrooms · Falls views from window tables
Food Beyond the Lodge
There’s no food beyond the lodge until you reach Cascade Locks or Hood River. Pack snacks for extended hikes.
  • Beyond Multnomah Falls

The Waterfall Corridor.

subtitle”>Multnomah Falls is the star, but it’s one waterfall in a corridor that contains dozens. The stretch of the Columbia River Gorge between Bridal Veil and Ainsworth is sometimes called the “Waterfall Corridor” for obvious reasons. All of these are free, no permit required, and typically far less crowded than Multnomah. See our Oregon Waterfalls Guide for the full Gorge waterfall inventory.

Wahkeena Falls

A beautiful fan-shaped cascade just 0.5 miles west, reachable by a short hike from Multnomah Falls or by driving to the Wahkeena Falls trailhead. Free parking, no permit required. Connects to the Multnomah–Wahkeena Loop hike.

242

Horsetail & Ponytail Falls

Visible directly from the road east of Multnomah Falls. A short trail leads behind the adjacent Ponytail Falls (Upper Horsetail Falls), where you can walk behind the curtain of water — one of the best walk-behind waterfall experiences in the Gorge.

176

Latourell Falls

A stunning single-drop plunge just west of the corridor, easily visited from a roadside pullout. One of the most photogenic falls in the Gorge and typically less crowded than Multnomah. The basalt columns behind the falls are exceptional.

249

Bridal Veil Falls

A two-tiered cascade reached by a short, family-friendly trail from the Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint. Easy walk for all ages, rarely crowded. The trailhead also connects to the Historic Columbia River Highway viewpoints.

118ft

The Columbia River Gorge has over 70 named waterfalls on the Oregon side alone. The Historic Columbia River Highway — America’s first planned scenic highway — connects all of these within a short drive or bike ride.
  • Practical Information

Before You Go.

📍

Address

A beautiful fan-shaped cascade just 0.5 miles west, reachable by a short hike from Multnomah Falls or by driving to the Wahkeena Falls trailhead. Free parking, no permit required. Connects to the Multnomah–Wahkeena Loop hike.

💵

Fees

$2 timed-use permit during summer (May 22–Sep 7, 9 AM–6 PM). No additional parking fee at the I-84 lot. The small Historic Highway lot (when accessible) is operated by a private concessionaire and charges separately.

🚻

Restrooms

Available in the lower level of Multnomah Falls Lodge. Typically open during lodge operating hours. No restrooms on the trail above the lodge.

🐕

Dogs

Allowed on leash on all trails at Multnomah Falls. Please clean up after your pet. Dogs are welcome at the viewing platform and on the hike to the top. Not allowed inside the lodge.

📡

Cell Service

Generally good at the base and parking area. Spotty once you’re on the trail higher up. Download offline maps and your permit confirmation before you go — don’t count on pulling them up at the trailhead.

♿

Accessibility

  • Frequently Asked

Multnomah Falls Questions.
Answered.

Only if you’re parking at the I-84 Exit 31 lot between 9 AM and 6 PM during the permit season (May 22 — September 7, 2026). Outside those hours and dates, no permit is needed. Arriving by bus, shuttle, bicycle, or on foot never requires a permit. Same-day free permits are available at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and the Cascade Locks Historical Museum.
620 feet total: a 542-foot upper tier, a 9-foot gap, and a 69-foot lower tier. It’s the tallest waterfall in Oregon and one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States.
No — you can’t walk behind Multnomah Falls itself. However, nearby Ponytail Falls (Upper Horsetail Falls), just east of Multnomah on the Historic Highway, does allow you to walk behind the cascade. Several waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park also offer walk-behind experiences.
The round trip from the base to the top-of-falls overlook and back is 2.4 miles and takes most hikers 90 minutes to 2 hours. The trail to Benson Bridge alone is 10–15 minutes each way. The full trail is paved but the upper sections are genuinely steep — allow extra time if hiking with kids or at a leisurely pace.
Absolutely — winter is arguably the best time to visit. The flow is heaviest after rain, ice formations appear on the rock walls in cold snaps, and there are almost no crowds. The base and Benson Bridge are accessible year-round (watch for ice on the trail above the bridge). No permit needed in winter. Dress for cold and rain.
Several options: visit before 9 AM or after 6 PM (no permit needed at either end of the day). Take the Columbia Gorge Express bus ($10 from Portland). Ride the Waterfall Trolley from Corbett ($37). Or pick up a free same-day permit at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale or the Cascade Locks Historical Museum — arrive early as they go fast.
  • Plan Your Trip

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