The Columbia River Gorge divides the states of Washington and Oregon, and is famous for housing one of the greatest concentrations of scenic waterfalls in the world. If you plan to visit, these magnificent waterfalls are the ones that are truly not to be missed.
Latourell Falls
photo credit: Ian Sane
Latourell Falls
Just east of Guy Talbot State Park at the west end of the gorge, Latourell Falls is 249 feet of mist, with another plunge a bit higher. The lower falls can be viewed from the parking area, with a short paved trail leading up to the spray, while the 80-foot upper falls can be seen by following the .8-mile trail.
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is just a 30-minute drive east of Portland, and plummets more than 600 feet as the “granddaddy” of the 77 waterfalls found on the Oregon side of the gorge – only three falls in the entire nation are higher. It’s also the state’s most photographed falls, fed by rainwater and snowmelt, the steady stream of water runs year round.
Horsetail Falls
photo credit: JonoMueller
Horsetail Falls
Horsetail Falls can be easily accessed, right next to the Historic Columbia River Highway. It drops some 176 feet.
Bridal Veil Falls
photo credit: goodfreephotos.com
Bridal Veil Falls
Located in Bridal Veil Falls State Park, this elegant, graceful 120-foot-tall waterfall can be viewed from a platform. The lower trail will bring you downhill to the base of the falls, and is about a mile round trip, there and back.
The Best Way to See the Gorge Waterfalls
One of the best ways to view these breathtaking waterfalls, is to take a tour with America’s Hub World Tours. The organization offers several waterfall tours, and you’ll be able to get a close-up look of these falls and much more, along with some popular sights along the Gorge.
A road trip on the Columbia River Highway, is another option, winding some 74 miles from Troutdale in Washington to The Dalles in Oregon. Travelers can enjoy ever-changing perspectives of the gorge, including sweeping panoramas from 900 feet above the river, and take breaks along the way to see the popular waterfalls, as well as trails that lead to hidden falls.
