What to Know Before Visiting Multnomah Falls
- Height of the waterfall: 620 feet (189 m).
- Distance from Portland: 31 miles (49 km), 35 to 50 minutes driving.
- Duration of visit: 2 hours.
- Trail difficulty: easy up to the first overlook, moderate down to Benson Bridge (although the paved path is quite steep), and moderate up to the Top of Falls.
- Best time to visit: During the peak tourist season (late May through early September), it’s best to go before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to avoid the crowds and the hottest part of the day.
How to get to Multnomah Falls
How to get to Multnomah Falls by car
To get to Multnomah Falls by car, take Interstate 84 (I-84) and exit at Exit 31 to park in the public parking lot located between the two sides of the highway. From there, an underpass will lead you to the entrance of the falls.
If you prefer to park as close as possible, there is also a private parking lot. To get there, take Exit 28 off I-84 if you’re coming from Portland, or Exit 35 if you’re heading toward Portland. In either case, you’ll have to drive a few extra miles along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Keep in mind that this road is quite narrow and gets very busy due to the many waterfalls in the area; there are even people walking and biking along it.
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How to get to Multnomah Falls from Portland
To get to Multnomah Falls from Portland by car, follow the directions mentioned above: take Interstate 84 and exit at Exit 31 to park in the public parking lot, and from there, walk through the underpass to the falls.
If you’d rather leave your car behind and travel in a comfortable minibus, you can also book this tour to the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls. Another option is to book the Waterfall Express + Waterfall Trolley, which includes a coach ride to the Columbia River Gorge plus a day pass for the sightseeing bus that tours the waterfall area.
-Duration: 4h
-Includes: Portland Downtown departing, transportation and guide
-Highlights: Crown Point Vista, Latourell, Horsetail and Multnomah falls
😉Free cancellation until 24h in advance
How to get to Multnomah Falls by public transportation
The only way to get to Multnomah Falls by public transportation is to take the Columbia Area Transit (CAT) bus service on the Columbia Gorge Express route. This service connects various points along the Columbia River Gorge, including Multnomah Falls, between Portland and Hood River. Buses take between 30 and 40 minutes whether you’re coming from Portland or Hood River, with up to seven daily departures every day of the week.
The stop in Portland is at the Gateway Transit Center (NE 99th Avenue & Pacific), and in Hood River at the CAT Transit Center (224 Wasco Loop). Tickets cost $10 per person each way and can be purchased online via the Token Transit mobile app or on-site in cash with exact change. For more information and schedules, please visit their website.
from Portland
-Duration: 8:30h
-Includes: Portland Downtown departure, transportation and Waterfall Trolley
-Highlights: Corbett, Crown Point Vista, Latourell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena, Multnomah and Horsetail falls, Angels Rest and Ainsworth State Park
😉Free cancellation until 24h in advance
Parking at Multnomah Falls
There are two options of parking at Multnomah Falls: one private and one public. The private parking lot is located right across from the falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway. It is a relatively small lot and is not suitable for large vehicles such as RVs. In addition, it fills up very quickly and the price is quite high—$20.
On the other hand, the public parking lot is located between the two lanes of the I-84 freeway; from either direction, you must take Exit 31 to access it. It is a large parking lot, suitable for RVs and tour buses, and although it is a bit farther from the waterfalls than the previous one, access is quick and convenient via an underpass. On busy days, it can fill up, causing the access gates to close automatically. Overnight parking is not permitted, as the lot is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Another option for free parking along the Historic Columbia River Highway is at Wahkeena Falls. It’s a small parking lot, and the downside is that you’ll have to walk the 0.6 miles (900 m) one way between the two waterfalls along the forest trail (which has a slight incline). You might see people walking along the road, but it’s strictly prohibited.
Best time to visit Multnomah Falls
High season (late May through early September)
The best time to visit Multnomah Falls during peak season is before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. This way, you’ll avoid the crowds, be able to enjoy this wonderful place in a more peaceful setting, and won’t need a reservation. However, keep in mind that the lighting for taking photos won’t be as good as it is at midday.
During this time of year, you must get a Multnomah Falls permit between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Reservations can be made through the recreation.gov app or website, and the fee is $2 per vehicle (non-refundable). Be sure to bring your reservation confirmation with you, as you will be asked to show it at the entrance to the underground access tunnel.
Off-season (mid-September to mid-May)
If you prefer to visit the waterfalls during these months, Multnomah Falls tickets aren’t necessary, and you’ll find far fewer people there. The best time to visit Multnomah Falls during the off-season is from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, as the light will be ideal for exploring and taking great photos. Keep in mind that in winter, the trails leading to the overlooks may be icy, since temperatures in the area can drop below 32ºF (0ºC).
Must-see viewpoints at Multnomah Falls
Base of the waterfall
When you arrive at the Multnomah Falls area, walk a few meters up some steps to reach the first overlook, from where you can see the entire waterfall. This is the most popular overlook of all, and the one where the most people gather to take photos. Since it requires the least physical effort, you can snap the classic photo with both falls and Benson Bridge in the foreground.
Benson Bridge
If you want a closer look at the waterfall, you’ll need to walk part of the Multnomah Falls hike to Benson Bridge. This historic bridge, built in 1914 by philanthropist Simon Benson, connects the base of the waterfall to the top and blends seamlessly into the surroundings, creating a beautiful scene.
To get there, you’ll need to walk along the Larch Mountain Trail for 0.4 miles (600 m) round trip and 295 feet (90 m) of elevation gain; this section is paved. The bridge spans the second waterfall, and you can see the first waterfall—the taller of the two—from much closer. Plus, along the steep path, you’ll get other views of the waterfalls.
Top of Falls
If you want to do the whole Multnomah Falls hike, you’ll need to climb up to the overlook called Top of Falls. From there, you’ll have an excellent panoramic view of the Columbia River Gorge, with the first drop of the falls right at your feet.
To get there, you’ll need to hike the Larch Mountain Trail for 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip and 722 feet (220 m) of elevation gain, with steep ascents and descents. Note that the hike includes a stop at Benson Bridge.
Tips for Visiting Multnomah Falls
Here’s a list of tips for visiting Multnomah Falls to help make your trip a success:
- 🕑 If you decide to visit the falls during peak season (late May through early September), try to arrive before 9 a.m. You won't need a Multnomah Falls permit, and there will be far fewer people.
- 🥾 If you plan to do the Multnomah Falls hike, be sure to wear comfortable, athletic shoes. While you don’t need specialized hiking boots, they are recommended since the trail can be slippery due to the mist from the waterfall.
- 🌧️ Check the weather forecast for your visit to Multnomah Falls, because if it rains, the experience won't be the same and your photos won't turn out as well.
- ❄️ During the winter months, especially in December and January, the Multnomah Falls hike can be icy, particularly early in the morning. Keep this in mind: the path leading up to both Benson Bridge and Top of Falls is very steep, and you could slip.
- 🌳 Don't just stop at Multnomah Falls—make the most of your visit to the Columbia River Gorge and explore other nearby attractions.
- ℹ️ Take the opportunity to visit the visitor center, grab a drink, grab a bite to eat, or pick up a souvenir at Multnomah Falls Lodge, a historic stone building constructed in 1925.
What to see near Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is located in the Columbia River Gorge, a region in the Pacific Northwest that’s home to popular tourist destinations like Portland and Mount Hood. But there are also plenty of other waterfalls and scenic overlooks in the surrounding area to round out your visit. In our post Things to Do in Columbia River Gorge, we’ll tell you all about them.
Accommodations near Multnomah Falls
We've selected these 4 accommodations near Multnomah Falls that offer good value for money, in case you'd like to spend the night near the falls:
Map of Multnomah Falls
On this map, we've marked all the points of interest in how to visit Multnomah Falls, along with our accommodation recommendations:
How to Visit Multnomah Falls FAQs
How long does it take to visit Multnomah Falls?
It takes about 2 hours to visit Multnomah Falls, although if you just want to see the overlook at the base, you can easily do so in 30 minutes.
Do you need a reservation to visit Multnomah Falls?
Yes, if you visit Multnomah Falls during the peak season (late May through early September) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
No, during the rest of the year and outside of the hours set for the high season.
Can you climb to the top of the waterfall?
Yes, you'll need to hike a 2-mile (3.2 km) round-trip section of the Larch Mountain Trail with 722 feet (220 m) of elevation gain to reach the Top of Falls overlook.
When is the best time to visit Multnomah Falls?
The best time to visit Multnomah Falls is from late April to mid-October. During these months, there are more hours of daylight, the days tend to be sunnier, and the temperature is more comfortable than in winter.
We hope this guide on How to Visit Multnomah Falls helps you plan your next trip!
