Latourell Falls was the first waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, at 8:00 am. There…read moreis a parking paved angled parking lot with 30 spots. There are stairs from the lot, giving a complete view of the falls, requires going up 60 steps with 8 intermediate landings. My 85 year old mother in law was able to do with help and frequent stops. One can walk down a path (about a 3 minute walk) to get to the base of the waterfall, which is what I did by myself. The sound (and smell) of the water was so nice: could have stayed here much longer but we had other waterfalls to see. Notes: - named after Joseph "Frenchy" Latourell, a 19th-century settler. - 224 feet high

Latourell Falls is the second biggest one is the Columbia Scenic Driveway. There's a parking lot…read moreand road side parking available. There are two paths from the lot, one through stairs to an observation deck, and another one down the trail to the bottom of the fall. The trail is short 2 minutes walk on even path. Dress properly for wet and misty weather, and have proper shoes. The prime location is corner spot right in front of the fall. The pathway continues thru an old bridge. You can actually walk behind the waterfall following the path, the unique aspect of the waterfall. When we arrived at the fall, parking lot was full, so we parked on the side of the road. The trail was little wet, so we walked carefully to the prime spot. The fall looked stunning. The water flow was much stronger than other falls. Some visitors were brave to walk all the way to the back of the fall. This was my favorite fall among all of them in the area.

Hint: Put Multnomah Falls parking in Google Maps for free parking. There's underpass for a short…read morewalk to the fall. The parking lot adjacent to the lodge charges $20. Multnomah falls each the second largest all year round waterfall in the country. It's so tall, has a stunning view of the water, the mist and the surrounding greenery. There's a deck at the base and a trail to the famous Multnomah Falls bridge (approximately 5 minutes walk up hill). The trail continues after the bridge to the top of the fall. The bridge has another gorgeous closer view of the fall. At the base, there's a lodge with a restaurant and gift shop. A cafe station was also available for hot drinks and small bites. The walk through the underpass is really nice, as you get to see the clear crystal water streaming away from the fall. We took some sips of the fresh water, it was so tasty, better than the bottled waters :p. This is where the historic Columbia River highway drive ends. It gets crowded by noon. So I'd suggest starting your excursion from this fall and drive thru the rest. Bring warm gears as it gets windy and cold closer to the fall (based on April weather) I love waterfalls and this was a fantastic family experience for us.

Multnomah Falls is one of the tallest year-round waterfalls. There are trails to walk up and be…read morecloser to the water falls. Benson bridge makes it so poetic from far. The trail to the bridge is not terrible but it's an incline for sure. Amazing view from the lower section and from the bridge. The cafe at the entrance is great. Got a hot chocolate to warm myself up. Gift shop is cool to check it out. There's a paid parking ($20?) and a free parking. Free parking is across the highway, further down walk less than 10mins. There's a tunnel walkway so you don't need to walk through traffic.

Probably my favorite hike on the Oregon side of the Columbia gorge. The views are spectacular as…read moreyou navigate the trail! And the view at the top is worth the effort. This is a moderate intensity hike but it is consistently graded throughout; a great hike if you only have about two hours and want some cardio in your day. The trail is clearly defined and easy to follow. The hike is marvelous in the summer on a clear sunny day! However, the views on the trail are a bit better during the colder months when the leaves are off the trees. Either way, you get a lovely view of the Gorge that is mostly unrestricted as you get near the peak. There is a dedicated parking lot at the trailhead but spots are limited. No permits are required. There is also no public restroom available so plan accordingly. Enjoy!

4.9 mi, 1503 ft elevation gain, 2hrs 3 min to complete…read more Awesome trail as always. We beat the crowds and attempted to do this as a sunrise hike. We were a bit too late, but caught a bit of the sunrise on the way up. Clouds and fog were swirling around and moving fast at the top. Absolutely beautiful. Wish I had a hot cup of coffee at the top to enjoy! No parking pass or special access permit required before 0900!!!

Bridal Veil Falls is one of those places that looks like a postcard even when your phone camera is…read morehaving an off day. Short walk, not much effort, and suddenly you're staring at a clean drop of water tucked into thick green forest. Compared to Nevada, this place feels like someone turned the saturation all the way up and forgot to turn it back down. The lower viewpoint gives you the classic shot, but if you wander a bit, you'll catch different angles and smaller side flows that most people ignore while they rush back to the parking lot. Wildlife bonus: geese everywhere, and yes... their turds are absolutely that big. Consider it part of the authentic experience. Then there's the unexpected highlight... a tiny Jesus figurine casually posted up on a wood waste bin like he's supervising the whole operation. Didn't expect spiritual oversight on a waterfall trip, but here we are. He seemed pretty calm about the crowd, the noise, and humanity in general. Probably seen worse. Overall: Easy access, great views, ridiculously green, and just weird enough to be memorable.

Bridal Veil Falls was the third waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, around 8:51 am,…read moreto the Bridal Veil state park. It has a decent size paved parking lot (with spots for 15 cars or so), with a lot of surrounding greenspace. It has two trails, one a self-contained one that provides views of the nearby highway. The second goes down, to a bridge that crosses the Falls. The park also has an indoor bathroom. To get to the falls, one must take the downward hike to the path on the right. I got as far as the bridge to see the stream, but didn't realize until later that I needed to go further to actually see the falls. Notes: -- 118 feet high -- named for the resemblance to the delicate veil of a bride

Well....this will be one of the easiest reviews for me to write. Waterfall Alley!!! This area is…read moresimply FANTASTIC! Situated along scenic 74 mile Columbia River Gorge...I'd say it's about a 7 - 9 mile stretch of nothing but majestically perfect waterfalls! Along my cross country road trip I had the Columbia River Gorge on my to-do list...but I never expected such a stretch of waterfalls! I was in awe! This area is as good as it gets!!! One of the best places I visited in the USA! And for those who'd like to come here...it's simple. Waterfall Alley is located about 25 miles away from Portland....right on the borders of Oregon and Washington. I actually spent 2 full days exploring along the Columbia River Gorge...yet all the action...all the highlights...all my best memories came from here at Waterfall Alley, bar none! Here's a list of my favorite waterfalls and how I'd rank them, lol... 1. Multnomah Falls is the main event. It's the 4th tallest waterfall in the United States with the Upper Falls measuring at 542 feet and the Lower Falls at 69 feet high. There's a bridge connecting the base of the upper falls to the peak of the lower falls....it's a photographer's paradise! Unfortunately during this summer of 2020 amidst the pandemic, the bridge was closed. My advice for exploring is to arrive FIRST THING IN THE MORNING or it gets real crowded, real quick. Then you'll have tourists interrupting your pictures. There's a giant parking lot right off the Columbia River Gorge. It's free to park and viewing Multnomah Falls is free as well. 2. Latourell Falls - the first major waterfall you'll come upon while driving the CRG. Parking can be tight here. It's a short short walk to the base of the falls. Latourell Falls is 269 feet high! I climbed on some rocks and sat down to grab superb photos of it's entirety with myself in the pictures. I was thrilled to be here! It genuinely set the tone for Waterfall Way. You can hike to the top of Latourell Falls but what good would that be looking down from high above? All you need are photos at the base...and you'll be in pure bliss, lol. 3. Horsetail Falls - right before Multnomah Falls, this Horsetail Falls is located literally right off the side of the road. You can see this 176 foot waterfall as you're driving. I found parking here to be quite difficult and had to wait till someone eventually moved. Horsetail Falls is so unique being close to the road and yet the 176 foot drop was extremely impressive! 4. Bridal Veil Falls - this was a quiet area of Waterfall Way. There were 2 short walking paths here and one of them brings you to Bridal Veil Falls - a double cascading waterfall. Although it's not one sheer drop...I still appreciated this. I guess I just got spoiled by all the wonderful surroundings along the CRG. Bridal Veil Falls is easily accessible and there's a viewing platform. But I stepped below the viewing overlook platform and got myself in a few photos with Bridal Veil Falls in the background. 5. Wahkeena Falls - close to Multnomah Falls. Parking here was almost impossible. Finally I discovered some grass off the road where I parked. For Wahkeena Falls, I had to hike up a trail a short distance (about 1/2 a mile). Upon arriving at what I thought was Wahkeena Falls, I was slightly disappointed by the appearance. It was one basic waterfall trickling down the canyon walls. I took a few pics and decided to hike higher...but never uncovered any significantly worthwhile views. Ultimately, I just walked back down the trail. Overall, this Waterfall Alley was simply spectacular! If you skipped driving the rest of the Columbia River Gorge and just witnessed these waterfalls (humbling in and of themselves)...it would still make for quite a fulfilling day trip. Lastly, these waterfalls were virtually all roadside stops. You barely have to navigate hard to arrive at any of them. This Pacific Northwest area of the country is hands down 5 stars!

I've chosen this listing, "Waterfall Alley," because that's what the trek feels like. This could…read morealso be commingled with the Columbia River National Scenic Area, but that includes more than just waterfalls. Also, while reviewed and photographed separately, Multnomah Falls is within Waterfall Alley, and is the highlight of this drive. Coming from the west, and presumably from Portland, it is best to get off at Corbett (exit 22) and wind up the road to the Vista House, following all the signs at about 2 or 3 forks in the road. The view over the Columbia River Gorge is gorge(ous), especially on a clear day and the "alley" to all the falls seemingly begins there. The day of the visit was not amenable to picture taking of the panorama. The falls along the way include Latourell, Wahkeena, Bridal Veil, Multnomah, the rippling waters through Oneonta Gorge, and Horsetail. They all have different personalities, with some having trails up to them and others being "that's all, folks." Regardless, this road is a collection of natural treasures and a must for anyone visiting the Portland area, because it gives a feel for the unspoiled natural wonders in this corner of the state, though they don't necessarily define the entire state. If I had to pick a Top 5 for logos of Oregon, they would be: (1) the Portland skyline with Mount Hood looming beyond, (2) Multnomah Falls, (3) Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, (4) Crater Lake, and (5) a meadow of Ponderosa type pine and mountains near Bend or Redmond, in Oregon's interior. So, there you have it, one of the five best Oregon highlights, and then some, are contained within this easy drive!

Plan ahead if you want to stop by. Traffic is fast on the highway and the pullover comes up quick…read morearound a bend. Not actual parking just the shoulder that fits 3-4 vehicles, depending how they parked. Careful when exiting. The view is amazing! Worth the moment to take a breath in and exhale.

Gorgeous lookout with awesome views of the Columbia River Gorge! We stop occasionally for a few…read moregreat pics, but it can get extremely crowded. Currently, there are a long row of cement jersey barriers taking up most of the parking area. Only room for 1-2 cars, safely. It's not the best area for u-turns, so plan accordingly. There's quite a bit of graffiti on the stone wall lookout...so sad. Regardless, I would highly recommend a stop for the gorgeous view!

Wahkeena Falls was such a great surprise. We made a quick stop here on our way to Multnomah Falls,…read moreand I'm so glad we did -- it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The falls are powerful and beautiful, surrounded by lush greenery and mossy cliffs, and the mirrors were amazing, making the whole place feel extra magical. The short walk to the lower viewing area is easy and accessible, but if you want more, the trail continues uphill and offers even better views and a peaceful forest hike. It's also much less crowded than Multnomah Falls, which made the experience even better. Tips: Parking is limited, so try to go early. The trail can be slippery from the mist, so good shoes are a must. Highly recommend stopping here if you're exploring the Gorge -- especially as a stop before or after Multnomah Falls.

Wahkeena Falls was the fourth waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, at 9:36 am. There…read moreis a parking paved angled parking lot with 20+ spots. One can then either take 10 steps or a handicamp ramp to get to a nice viewing spot. From that spot, one can climb a steep trail further to get closer to the falls. Notes: - named after the Yakama Indian word meaning "most beautiful". - 242 feet high

This review is for Wahkeena Falls, Ecola Falls and Multnomah Falls Loop which was a ~5.1 miles…read moreround trip that took ~3 hours to complete. The loop takes you from Wahkeena Falls to Fairy Falls to Ecola Falls and finally to Multnomah Falls. Spectacular views from beginning to end. Steep inclines in the beginning to Wahkeena Falls and easy declines to the base of Multnomah Falls. Extremely crowded and popular around Multnomah Falls. Limited parking; start early. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/kEpEn3k8a0w

Great loop hike! We…read morechose to start at Multnomah and finish at Wahkeena, and taking off on Sunday about 9am we beat most of the crowds. Even though you're in a burn zone much of the way, the forest and waters are still beautiful. It's about 5 1/2 miles, starting with the elevation zigs and zags of the Multnomah climb, you'll reach little Dutchman Falls not long after you've made it to the top, followed closely by Weisendanger (with its gorgeous approach) and Ecola (you'll walk right next to the drop). Signage is good, as you make the turn away from Larch Mtn and towards Fairy Falls (a magical lil drop)...and back down the zigs and zags to Wahkeena (always pretty). The trail was in pretty decent shape this weekend, but watch your step...not just for loose or rocky footing but for all the caterpillars currently crossing the path. We got so sad seeing so many lives cut short that we started helping them along to safety as we hiked. No matter from which falls you opt to start your loop, there's a great connector trail between the two to get you back to your car safely. Great loop, great trail, and great waterfall fun. :)

We started at horsetail falls and hiked through to Oneonta. If you are looking to pack various…read moretypes of waterfalls in a short time, I highly recommend this route. Horsetail is tall and majestic. After a short hike up the hill and into the woods, you can walk under ponytail falls. Another quick trek down the trail, featuring gorgeous views of the historic highway & Columbia river, takes you to a metal bridge that crosses Oneonta Creek. If you keep going west along the trail, you wind back down to the highway where you can see the Oneonta tunnel. Right before the tunnel, to your right, is the start of the hike into the gorge. Unless you show up really early, you will not be the only one heading in to see the falls. At first, you navigate through some rocks and a low spot of the creek. Don't worry about trying to keep your feet dry because they will be fully submerged soon enough. You will come across a large log jam that spans the entire width of the gorge. Here is where the men are separated from the boys. Be careful, check for loose logs before you commit, and try to keep 3 points of contact while traversing the jam. Congratulations, you made it through the toughest part of the hike! Now get ready to get wet. When we were here in early July, the water was chest high and there is no getting around it. Keep your valuables above your head or in waterproof containers. I was able to get a couple of sandwiches through, we sat on some dry rocks and enjoyed those while watching people swim under the waterfall. The beauty of the gorge is tough to describe. There's a reason why it's #3 on Buzzfeeds surreal places of America.

This is probably my favorite hike in Oregon. Coming upon this place, I recommend everyone to come…read moreearly because it does get packed and you can always visit the multnomah falls right after. It's a short hike but the hardest part is getting over bunch of tree branches. People are very nice that they help and take turns for one another. Definitely bring extra pair of clothes because you're going to get wet. Forget about your shoes getting wet, there's only one way there and that's getting down and wet! It's freezing cold but once you get over the coldness you'll be fine. After you get pass the branches you walk further down these narrow pathways with rocks and you'll be able to see the waterfall from there. It's definitely magical! People go swimming, take pictures and just enjoy Mother Nature. I didn't stay long but I would probably come here again. FYI MULTNOMAH FALL gets pretty busy, get there before 8! Very touristy place but if you hike to see the peak of the fall, then it's more difficult. The incline is kind of tense but anyone can do it! It is dog friendly as well :)