Spend The Day Exploring Dozens Of Waterfalls In Oregon's Columbia River Gorge
By Sarah McCosham|Updated on January 21, 2023(Originally published January 16, 2023)
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Hailed as the Crown Jewel of the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia River Gorge is the largest natural scenic area in the United States. The mighty Columbia River serves as the border between Oregon and Washington, and there are all sorts of treasures awaiting you on both states’ sides. We’re partial, of course, to the Beaver State’s side of this natural wonder; with more than 90 cascades on the Oregon side alone, there’s no better place to explore waterfalls in Oregon than the Columbia River Gorge.
Columbia River Gorge is the very definition of a #pnwonderland.
Bisected by a commanding canyon and resplendent river, this PNW paradise is flush with forests, foliage, and falls. Lots and lots of waterfalls. It is incredibly beautiful, and it's one of many waterfalls in Oregon that look like something out of an amazing dream instead of real life. That's Oregon for you!
Latourell Falls is one of the finest in the Gorge, and the hike to access these falls is also a dreamlike trek.
The Latourell Falls Loop Trail boasts four different wooden bridges, making for a marvelous and charming afternoon adventure. You'll find the Latourell Falls Loop Trail trailhead just off the Historic Columbia River Highway. Be sure to bring a camera for this one; it's easily one of the most beautiful things in the state.
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Beautiful Bridal Veil Falls is the perfect destination for beginner waterfall chasers; the hike to this falls is just a half mile long and is well-paved and easy to navigate.
Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint, 46701 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019, USA
The falls themselves are nothing short of fantastic: there are two drops, and the entire waterfall is about 118 feet high. While Bridal Veil isn't the tallest cascade in the Gorge, we think the payoff for this wonderful short hike in Oregon is totally worth it! This is one of the more famous waterfalls on this list, and as soon as you see it, you'll understand why. It's nothing short of magic.
Ponytail Falls is the place to do just that! Located in the Columbia River Gorge, Ponytail Falls (also known as "Upper Horsetail Falls") is a magical waterfall with a trail circling behind it to give you a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Standing directly behind the majestic 75-foot waterfall as it pours gracefully into the creek is positively enchanting, and it's highly unlikely you've ever experienced anything else quite like it.
In the western part of the Gorge, Oneonta Creek rushes downhill to make this spectacular waterfall trio! We promise this one is just as incredible as the others, and it's well worth the extra effort to make sure you don't miss it.
This lesser-known cascade in Columbia River Gorge is, quite stated, sublime. Surrounded by verdant green foliage and moss-covered boulders, Wahclella Falls is a vision. The blue waters plunge into a cerulean pool that's the perfect place for quiet contemplation and soul-searching - or dipping your toes in on a hot summer's day!
Mighty Multnomah Falls is a vision; a sublime sensory experience.
This 611-foot-tall, roaring waterfall is in a league all its own; and while Oregon's side of the Columbia River Gorge may boast more than 90 incredible cascades, Multnomah truly is its crown jewel.
There is truly no bad time to visit it; there's no such thing as a not-so-photogenic look at the falls. It is otherworldly and incredible, and you're sure to never forget it.
Lewis and Clark first happened upon the Columbia River Gorge during their expeditions in 1806, and we can only imagine how awestruck they were at discovering this pristine PNW paradise. Go discover it for yourself, and experience total awe and wonder at the dazzling, waterfall wonderland that is the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.
If you can’t get enough of all the amazing waterfalls in Oregon you can check out for yourself, you might want to embark upon the incredibly scenic drive known as the Highway of Waterfalls as soon as you can. Which waterfalls in Oregon are your favorites? Let us know in the comments.
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More to Explore
Waterfalls in Oregon
Tori Jane|January 21, 2023
What are some of the most amazing waterfalls in Oregon?
At the time of this writing, there are at least – at least – 238 waterfalls in Oregon. Naturally, this is far too many to simply list, but some of the most notable waterfalls in OR include:
2. Where are the most amazing places to go hiking in Oregon?
Oregon is an outdoorsy person’s dream come true. With thousands of miles of trails to explore, you can’t go wrong. Some of the best hiking trails in Oregon are:
