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  "description": "Find out why Multnomah Falls is a must-see in Oregon. Get visitor tips, what to expect, and how to make the most of your stop along the Columbia River Gorge.",
  "path": "/why-multnomah-falls-should-be-on-every-travelers-list/",
  "publishedAt": "2024-11-11T03:49:18.000Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:xoczgo53ahhoei6pror2b43g/site.standard.publication/3mmwwrtzqnc7k",
  "tags": [
    "Dog-Friendly",
    "Hiking",
    "Oregon",
    "Road Trips",
    "United States",
    "Northwest"
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  "textContent": "When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. See our Affiliate Policy. You might not know it while driving through the Columbia River Gorge, but this area is home to one of Oregon’s most popular stops. At over 620 feet tall (189 meters), the two-tiered Multnomah Falls brings in more than 2 million visitors each year. What made it even better for us is that it’s dog-friendly, so Toby and Lily got to join us! We first stopped here in 2023 on a road trip to Mount Rainier, then again last year while driving to Olympic National Park. We love driving through the Gorge which carves an 80-mile canyon between Oregon and Washington. During the very windy drive, we were surrounded by cliffs and train tracks running parallel to the road. We also saw a distant wildfire in the hills during our last trip in July. Columbia River Gorge Wildfire in the Distance Before getting to Multnomah Falls, we made a stop at Maryhill State Park ($10 for a day pass), about an hour east of the falls, which got us close to the river. Before we made it to Maryhill, we pulled off just across the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge in Biggs Junction to get some food. We picked up some food from an Indian food truck there, had a quick picnic at the park and took our dogs for a walk before we got back on the road and headed toward the falls. Getting to Multnomah Falls After our stop at Maryhill State Park, we continued west along the Historic Columbia River Highway for another 74 miles until we made it to the Multnomah Falls parking lot. The lot sits between the east and westbound lanes of Interstate 84, and getting in and out was easy during both of our 2023 and 2024 visits. The drive from Portland takes about 30 minutes which makes for an easy day trip while the trip from Seattle is roughly 3 hours south via I-5 and I-84. If you’re visiting during peak season (late May through early September, 9am to 6pm), the parking lot does fill up quickly. You can either get there early or you can pay $2 for a timed-use permit. But this permit doesn’t actually guarantee a spot (more on parking options below!). Once you’ve parked, it’s a short walk through a tunnel under the interstate, which brings you straight to the falls. You can get snacks, drinks and even some hot chocolate at the visitor center. Obligatory photo at the sign! Built in 1925, the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge sits right next to the falls. It’s where you can find a gift shop, use the restrooms and get food at the restaurant. Best Times to Visit Multnomah Falls Multnomah Falls is beautiful year-round, but it can be pretty different depending on the season you visit during. Spring (March through May): The snowmelt and spring rain means that the falls will be at their most powerful. Wildflowers start blooming along the trails which makes it a beautiful time to visit. This is when the area gets busier with more visitors. Summer (June through August): This is peak season which means the crowds are bigger and parking is limited. The weather is warm, and the trails are dry, but water flow is lower than in spring. Arrive early (before 9am) or visit on a weekday for the best experience. Fall (September through November): Cooler temps and fall colors make this a great time to visit. Early fall can still be busy, but by late October, crowds get smaller. Water flow starts to increase again with seasonal rain. Winter (December through February): A quieter, more peaceful time to visit. Rain and ice give the falls a dramatic look, and the falls can freeze into an icy cascade. Dress in layers since the Columbia River Gorge can be cold and windy in winter. For the best experience, visit early in the morning (before 9am) or on a weekday to avoid crowds. If you don’t mind colder weather, late fall through early spring means fewer people. Is There Parking Near Multnomah Falls? Multnomah Falls Feels Like Stepping into a Postcard Yes! But the main parking lot between the east and westbound lanes of Interstate 84 fills up fast, especially during peak season. You may have seen online that parking at Multnomah Falls can cost $20. This is misleading because the main lot is $2 during peak season, but a smaller, privately-owned lot near the Lodge began charging $20 as of April 2024. This has caused some controversy. For the best parking experience during peak season (late May through early September, 9am to 6pm), we recommend: Reserving a $2 Timed-Entry Permit: This helps with traffic, but does not guarantee a spot. Taking the Sasquatch Shuttle: A free shuttle runs every 30 minutes if you park at their Bridal Veil lot ($5 per vehicle). The Hike to Benson Bridge Benson Bridge spans the falls After parking in the main lot, we walked through the tunnel and made our way up to Multnomah Falls. Multnomah is a two-tiered waterfall, formed by the ancient Missoula Floods around 15,000 years ago and fed by underground springs from Multnomah Creek. This waterfall is really beautiful, and the viewing area at the bottom has plenty of room for photos right by the base. We had no trouble getting close for some great shots during a busy July day. The bridge itself, built in 1914 and funded by Simon Benson, spans the lower tier of the falls and gives you an incredible close-up view. Multnomah County Weather The trail up to the 45-foot Benson Bridge is paved and our pups were so excited to explore (Yes, leashed dogs are allowed!). Lily was a little nervous around the crowds, though. She’s a sweetheart but can get a little nervous when around a lot of people, so the busy path wasn’t her favorite. If your dog is similar, just know there aren’t many quiet spots to pull off as you go up. If you’re only interested in hiking 0.2 miles up to Benson Bridge like we were, the hike up is short and easy, with just a slight incline. At the bridge, you get a close up view of the lower falls and the top tier of the waterfall. View from Benson Bridge Looking Down the Falls Larch Mountain Trail Sign Honestly, I think the view from the bottom looking up is the better view. You can see the full height of both falls. We got to the bridge in the evening, around 7 p.m., and it was still quite crowded, so arriving earlier or later in the day could make for a less busy experience. If you’re looking for a longer hike past Benson Bridge, it’s about a mile to the top of the falls, with even more trails branching off from there. This AllTrails map needs analytics cookies to load. These cookies cover both our site and the embedded content. Or View on AllTrails Places to Stay Around Multnomah Falls While we continued on to our next stop (Mossquatch Resort near Forks, Washington) and didn’t stay anywhere near the falls ourselves, there are a few hotels nearby. More to Explore in the Columbia River Gorge Multnomah Falls isn’t the only highlight in the Columbia River Gorge. There are many other beautiful waterfalls like Bridal Veil Falls, Latourell Falls and Wahclella Falls. If you’re up for more hiking, trails like Angels Rest, Cape Horn, and Dog Mountain are said to offer incredible views. Looking for a more relaxing stop with an unforgettable view? Trillium Lake, just south of Mount Hood, gives you a peaceful place with a mirror-like reflection of the mountain. Benson Bridge through the trees Time to Plan Your Visit to Multnomah Falls! We’ve loved visiting Multnomah twice and can’t wait for our next adventure here. If you’re planning a trip, take some time to explore the falls and all the incredible places nearby. We’d love to hear about your own Multnomah Falls adventures! If you’ve been there or are planning a visit, leave a comment below! Feel free to share any tips for visiting, especially if you’re traveling with pets!",
  "title": "Why Multnomah Falls Should Be on Every Traveler’s List",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-11T00:38:08.000Z"
}