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Horsetail Falls

4.5 (100 reviews)

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Horsetail Falls
ED L.

There is a reason for this waterfall named Horsetail. The waterfall is shaped like one. It was sol beautiful, so pristine, I could sit on a rock all day staring at nature. Yes, approximately 170 feet of it coming down. There really isn't a hiking trail here, but the waterfall is up close and personal. You can walk all the way towards the falls and touch the water. Of course, there are rocks everywhere. So caution is a must. You can see the Horsetail Waterfall as you drive by. Very limited parking, and quite secluded. And probably the one you could get closest to. So beautiful!

Sara G.

A classic, right off the highway! Its elegant horsetail shape makes it a unique sight. It's an easy stop but just as breathtaking and a great photo spot!

Danielle P.

Yasss, Im in waterfall haven! This area of Oregon has quite a few waterfalls, make sure you stop bye the visitor center first for a free map. This will maximize your time, we had alot planned on this trip. The volunteers are indeed helpful with ideas for our day. There is a small parking alot in front of this waterfall, you cant miss it. Dont miss this waterfall, its absolutely stunning!! The best part there is no climbing or walking far to enjoy all this glory. This by far is my second favorite waterfall along the waterfall corridor. Oregon I will be be visiting again real soon!! @glampedlife

Tiffany S.

Unexpected! We literally stumbled upon it. It's right on the highway. Park and walk right up. Amazing!!

Veronica K.

Lovely little falls without nearly as many tourists as down at Multnomah Falls. You can actually dip your feet in the water at this site if you walk down the stairs. Beautiful landscape and super easy to get to!

Kim G.

Stunning waterfall right along the road with perfect view as you drive by; if you want to see it up close and personal, just park in the small lot in front and cross the street. Bam, there it is! No hiking necessary means every single person of every ability can experience this beautiful piece of nature. Horsetail Falls is on the strip of the Historic Columbia River Highway that contains seven waterfalls. It is the furthest east, about 3 miles from the most famous, Multnomah Falls. While I have been to Multnomah many times and have hiked to the top and enjoyed the expansive views of the Columbia River along the way, sometimes I don't have the time for that hike. For zero effort - literally - you can see this powerful and majestic waterfall. Just park in the small lot directly across the two lane road, walk a few steps and the entire waterfall is right in front of you. If you want to hike to the top it's about 2.4 miles round trip. The trail starts with a steep incline, and it is rocky, but then levels off. You can enjoy Horsetail Falls this magnificent and have plenty of time to take in other sites or hikes. Today was a sunny and blue sky day, with no wind, so I decided to take a ride from Portland out to Chanticleer Point, which offers an incredible view of the Columbia Eiver and Crown Point in the distance, the vista House perched on top. Afterwards I drove to the Crown Point to see the Vista House, the interior is once again open after being closed most of Covid. It was a pleasure to walk around without getting knocked over by the typical winds! Deciding to follow the old highway along the Waterfall loop afterwards, I was enjoying twists and turns of the road with glimpses of the river along the way. When I got to Horesetail Falls, I was stunned that the falls were right there! I paused to take in the sight and noticed the parking lot was half empty. What? That is an opportunity one can not pass by! So I pulled in and stayed about 20 minutes enjoying the beauty of the falls and walking a little bit up the trail. There were just a few people there so I was able to get some great shots of just falls sans people. The trees are just starting to bloom, but the ferns and moss make it so green and lush. When the weather is warm, you can walk in the water at the base. It will be cold but refreshing! So don't just drive by! Stop and take in the beauty of Horsetail Falls. It has quickly become one of my faves!

Kris A.

This is one of my favorite waterfalls and Oregon has a lot of beautiful hiking trails and waterfalls! Love this one because you can definitely go for a dip in the water and it's great on a hot, summer day, especially if you did some hiking. There's a parking lot available and you can park at the side of the road. Definitely when visiting Horsetail Falls, pack a swimsuit or rash guard and enjoy the water!

View #2
Jim W.

This is the somewhat scaled down falls within a mile or so (east) of Multnomah Falls. It has a small parking lot; we were able to wait for a couple of minutes and get a space. Once in the lot, you merely have to cross the road to see the falls. While not nearly as tall as Multnomah Falls, this is impressive in its own right. There are a couple of different vantage points, and you can get good photos from either one. Again, as we visited in the morning the lighting was not ideal. If you are driving through the gorge, this is definitely worth a stop just for the convenience to impressiveness ratio.

Behind waterfall
Marianne St. G.

Great trail but under repair. The gorge fire from a few years ago it's still evident and the trails are damaged. We hiked to the third fall - there were wash outs, rocks on the trail, and other issues. But, it was lovely. The climb wasn't too long but the elevation gains were significant. I would call it a moderately difficult hike to the third waterfall but well worth it.

Edna G.

We just stumbled upon this waterfall after coming from another waterfall. I would recommend to exit 35 after 5p so you don't have to make reservations and pay a fee. There won't be rangers stopping you as well. There is a small parking lot for @15 cars on the right. From the parking lot, you can already see the waterfalls. Many come here to hangout on a hot day like the day we came and to get in the water to cool off. I would recommend to wear waterproof sandals to walk in the water as the rocks hurt as you walk on it. The waterfall runs pretty hard and I have not see anyone go in it but only close to it. I am sure the water is cold. Very clear water and beautiful scene of this waterfalls. Picture worthy. I loved it so I would bookmark this place as well. It was worth it!! [79th R]

Brittany S.

We had planned on hiking up to Multnomah Falls but so many of the parking and entrance points were closed off due to COVUD. We ended up doing a quick search for waterfalls and found this less popular yet still stunning spot for a quick hike. I, unfortunately, was wearing a dress and sandals but was still able to pull off the half mile hike up to the upper falls of Horsetail Falls. We only encountered a few folks along the way so it was nice to feel like we had the spot mostly to ourselves. Parking can easily be found across the street (bonus: it's shaded). There were three to four trail options at this point with one mile round trip being the shortest. You can, however, easily swim in and enjoy the falls directly off the road. It seemed to be popular fir a few families with kids. Otherwise, the trail was somewhat steep and not ideal for all audiences. The spots of shade along the trail and under the waterfall were such a nice break on a hot summer day. This is a great quick pit stop for movement along the Columbia River!

Mylan D.

Beautiful waterfall! I've only stopped at 3 waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge because finding parking is BANANAS!!! I came to visit on a Monday afternoon and there were so many people, kids, dogs and no parking. I had my little dog with me and couldn't tell from the website if dogs were allowed on the shuttle bus so we took our chance and drove to the gorge. Horsetail is my favorite of the 3 waterfalls I went to see. Less crowded, but the parking lot smells like urine. There are no bathrooms around here which would explain why. You just have to cross the street and the waterfall is just right in front of you. You may even take a photo simply driving by. Just be mindful of the traffic behind you.

05.26.19
May A.

Raw and strong waterfall! This would be the first of the four waterfalls we were to visit on our Columbia River Gorge tour (and the third stop of our tour). Parking was across the street and at 10:30a on a Memorial Day holiday weekend you better believe that this place was overflowing not only with a strong waterfall but also of tourists and locals!! Another reason why I was happy to visit this place on a guided tour so we don't have to hassle with the driving and finding parking. Horsetail Falls is right off highway 30, easy access with no hiking needed. We could hear and feel the falls from the road as we drove in. We walked towards the Falls sign and snapped some photos and proceeded to descend on the steps to get closer to the water. There are hiking trails available but with our limited time schedule we weren't able to do any of that. Just lovely the way the water hits the pond below it... it moves just like a horsetail. The impressive long narrow flowing water of the falls resembled a horse's tail (hence the name). I love all waterfalls even though some are not quite "jaw-dropping." The falls had a robust and vibrant flow at end of May during our visit... roaring and strong! Review #1415 (72nd business review)

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Ask the Community - Horsetail Falls

Review Highlights - Horsetail Falls

Wow, I know Multnomah Falls gets all the acclaim and recognition, but this, Horsetail Falls, in my opinion....

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Hamilton Mountain Trail - Picnic tables

Hamilton Mountain Trail

(10 reviews)

When researching hiking trails to add to our vacation itinerary, I chose Hamilton Mountain Trail…read morebecause of the waterfalls..Pool of The Winds, Hardy Falls, & Rodney Falls and also, because it was located across the way from Beacon Rock. It was perfect weather for our hike on September 3, 2021 & it took my hubby & I almost 2 hours to hike up to the Pool of The Winds waterfall & back down. We did make multiple stops along the trail to take pictures/videos & to catch our breath. :)) While, I don't consider myself an avid hiker, I do consider myself in pretty good shape BUT I did NOT feel in good shape a few times during our hike up Hamilton Mountain! Going straight up that mountain is no joke! No worries though, I pulled through & made my way up that mountain & back down w/out any assistance...barely! :)) There are a few spots where the climb is very steep & slippery so be mindful of your steps. For sure having actual hiking boots would have served me better than the running shoes, I had on. Okay, so enough of my "out of shape" info..let's move on to the awesomeness of Hamilton Mountain Trail. As you are climbing up the trail, you're surrounded by huge trees & everything around you is so still & just peaceful. There is a small bench for sitting along the way & if you keep going pass that, you eventually come to an open clearing and the waterfalls. The waterfalls themselves are just so awesome! Mother Nature really is displaying her best work when you're standing right next to a waterfall! The Pool of The Winds waterfall was my favorite & there's a bridge right beneath it that is the perfect picture backdrop. I also wanted to add that it wasn't crowded at all during our visit & we did go on a Saturday around 2:30pm. Lastly, there was plenty of parking & a restroom at the beginning of the trail head. Hope this info helps! ~Rebecca out

We hiked Beacon Rock the day before, and this trail is right across the street. In fact, you can…read moreget a good view of Beacon Rock through the trees from the Upper Parking Lot. The hike to Rodney Falls and Pool of the Winds seemed do-able, and we had a short amount of time, so we thought we could knock it out. As we started out, we learned that it had a pretty steep incline, and was a bit of a butt burner on the way up. I'm not an avid hiker, so let's just say I had a bit of a rough time (gasp) with lots of stops for photos (read: to catch my breathe). There are tons of trees for shade, with a few sun spots here and there. Just as I thought I couldn't hike another step, a fellow hiker offered encouragement, letting me know it was just a few minutes farther. And boy was it worth it. Pool of the Winds is a gorgeous falls with a clear pool of mountain water. And there are several spots to get good views of Rodney Falls and to continue on the hike if you choose (I did not!). Easy time going down. Quite a few people had hiking poles, to make it easier on the knees. I'd call this a success! (even with sore legs for a day or two afterward).

Dry Creek Falls Hike

Dry Creek Falls Hike

(10 reviews)

Beautiful hike. How to get to the hike you have to drive down a long gravel road I recommend…read moredriving a suv or a car you don't care about it's a tight trail at some points so you will get scratches on ur vehicle but the hike is amazing one of my new favorites

This is a beautiful hike! If you follow all trails map, it will start you at the bridge of the…read moregods trailhead. There is another lot a couple of blocks away. The bridge of the gods trailhead does not have a lot of parking. If you do park there, cost is $5 cash for the day be sure to bring that with you. Bathrooms are open. There are trash cans at the parking lot. The views of the bridge of the gods are stunning from the parking lot. the first bit of the trail is a little bit loud. It is very cool to be on the PCT. Especially if you are not from the area. It is nice to have had my feet touch a small portion of the PCT, hopefully someday there will be more. The trail is very green and lush. It is also well signed and marked. The birds were singing. I arrived at 730 am and was the 2nd car in the lot. I didn't see anyone out until i was on my way back down and in my last 3/4 of a mile. From reading reviews on all trails though it can get busy so best to know where the other parking lot is in case you can't get a spot at the bridge of the gods trailhead parking lot. The trail has a gentle but steady incline from the get go. The falls at the end are of course lovely. If i were in the area again i would do this one again.

Gillette Lake Hike - View of Gillette Lake from the trail on the way there.

Gillette Lake Hike

(3 reviews)

Moderate difficulty hike that's 5.4 miles from the North Bonneville Trailhead to Gillette Lake. I…read morerecommend looking up the trail on the gorgefriends.org website for directions and additional helpful info. You do have to pay to park at the trailhead unless you already have a Northwest Forest Pass (it's currently a $5 day-use fee to park if you don't have that pass). There's a couple pit toilets and picnic tables at the trailhead parking lot as well. The trail is dirt in some sections and loose gravel/rocks in others. There are sections of inclines as well, so along with the rocky sections of trail, some people may prefer to use trek poles for stability. The incline sections aren't too long and it's a good mix of up and down, so you don't get too winded of you're in relatively good shape. It's also a nice mix of shaded sections in the forest, and open areas in the sun. There's nice views of the surrounding area in the upper open sections and the lake itself is quite pretty. There aren't any benches at the lake, though, so plan on sitting on the ground, or bring your own camp chair, if you want to hang out at the lake a bit. There also isn't a lot of open shoreline, either, so keep that in mind.

This is a super easy hike. You follow the trail from the Bonneville dam trailhead for about 1/2…read moremile, until it connects with the Pacific Crest Trail. Hang a left, and it's 2 miles to Gillette Lake. The trail has a mix of Forrest, clear-cut, and rocky talus. While the clear-cut is a little depressing, it does allow for some nice views throughout the hike. You pass by another lake on the way to Gillette, and there is a nice stream just past the lake. You can continue up the Pacific Crest Trail for as long as you like. There is a decent little loop about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile past Gillette lake. It's worth it if you want to add a few miles onto the hike. There is supposedly a viewpoint or overlook up this way, but we did not find it. The trail is fairly muddy if you hike in winter. But this is a nice alternative to many of the very hard hikes out here in the gorge. A great Sunday outing for the family. There is a fee to park, unless you have a Northwest forest pass or a Discover pass. I think the fee is five dollars. There are some pit toilets at the trailhead if you need that sort of thing.

Ponytail Falls

Ponytail Falls

(2 reviews)

Ponytail Falls is also known as UPPER HORSETAIL FALLS in the heart of the waterfall section of the…read moreColumbia River Gorge. It's an easy reach and visit for everyone. It's located 4/10th's of a mile along Horsetail Falls Trail, which is a pleasant hike through the forest. For everyone that comes to check out Horsetail Falls, which sits right beside the Historic Columbia River Highway, I'd suggest at least doing the hike up to Ponytail Falls. It's worth it. It may not be as grand as Multnomah Falls (which is obviously in a league of its own), but I'd categorize in the second tier rankings of waterfalls around the area. When you see the Horsetail Falls Trailhead sign, there will be NO MENTION of Ponytail Falls. It'll specifically say Upper Horsetail Falls (which will be your cue for Ponytail Falls) and that it's 4/10th's of a mile to reach. Ponytail Falls (or Upper Horsetail Falls...I know I'm getting redundant, lol) is 88 feet tall and splashes down into a pool of water. You can go swimming in it, but when I stopped by in late August, temperatures were still pretty cold. Also great about Ponytail Falls is that the trail navigates about 270 degrees around and right underneath the waterfall. You can catch dramatic views watching behind the falls as the charging water splashes down below. Plus, the surroundings hiking into the lower bowl where the waterfall is situated, can offer undisturbed vantage points from almost any angle. It doesn't take long to experience Ponytail Falls, especially if you're turning around and heading back to the trailhead below. But if you do continue on Horsetail Falls Trail, there are cool glances from the tree line horizon looking down on the Columbia River Gorge from high up. Plus, you can connect with the Oneonta Trail leading to Triple Falls Waterfall (which gets slightly difficult the higher you climb) or continue towards the right hand side where the pathway navigates throughout the forest before returning back down to the road. Overall, although it may be rewardingly efficient to see Horsetail Falls and then immediately return to your car and heads towards the next activity around the Columbia River Gorge, I'd keep in mind making the effort to hike to Ponytail Falls. I think it's impressionable and you'll get to check off two waterfalls right near each other for the price of one admission.

Great hike went on a not sunny day had the place completely alone to enjoy it very beautiful hikeread more

Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

(9 reviews)

Extraordinarily beautiful! Whether you are taking a drive, riding your bike, or hiking the trail,…read morethe historic Columbia River Highway (Scenic Hwy 30) is a must experience. As you follow the twists and turns of the road, incredible vistas of the Columbia River, the basalt cliffs of the gorge and the rolling hills dotted with orchards and farms awaken all of your senses. This is incredible territory and makes you understand why the early settlers came from far away to live here! Accolades to the Civic Engineering team who built the the many stone guardrails with arches, meticulous work to creat the symmetry, and the many tunnels along the way. The tunnels were cut right into the rock cliff. Amazing! over 100 years later, we are still marveling at the engineering feat and using this road, tunnels and bridges to explore this marvelous country. In several areas there are white metal guardrails that create a stunning contrast to all the green and blue along the way. The road starts around Corbett - make sure to stop At Chanticleer Point for the most amazing view, the Crown Point and Vista House for more - and continue to Hood River and then Mosier, a quant and charming town of just 430. Along the way there are dozens of trails to hike, look out points to pull over, and waterfalls to see from the road. This route never gets boring. Every day is different based in the sun, clouds, blooms and foliage. it's living art and it makes me happy every single time I am traveling this route. Breathe it all in, it's good for the soul!

Go see the wondrous twin tunnels in Mosier on the historic Columbia River Highway. It is shut down…read moreto vehicle traffic. So you can go by bikes, Ebikes, running shoes, walking shoes and strollers. Hatfield east side or west side entrance it's about 5 miles one way. From the East side it's 1 mile to the tunnels - a construction marvel for any time in history. The tunnels have been preserved and are over 100 years old. Pretty amazing that construction workers cut the tunnel right in the side of a sheer rock cliff. About 500 feet above the Columbia River level. We enjoyed a good bike ride starting at the eastside in Mosier and road west towards Hood river and back again which was a little over 10 miles. The ride totaled 1,300 feet total elevation gain on a flat to rolling paved double wide trail. Average elevation was 170 to 670 feet. Pedaling along you have extraordinary views of the Columbia River and sheer cliffs surrounding the river. Plenty of look-out stops. The majority of time you're riding under the shade of some maple and pine tree canopies. Have fun - you will enjoy!

Horsetail Falls - hiking - Updated May 2026

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