Multnomah Falls
Waterfall · Multnomah County
Oregon 97014
"At Oregon’s two-tiered Multnomah Falls the mist rose like liquid nitrogen from the base and I was most struck by the density of greenery: climbing switchbacks along Larch Mountain, huge raindrops pancaked off fern leaves and every inch of tree bark was covered in moss, which made the falls feel both otherworldly and intensely verdant." - Becky Cooper
"A must‑see two‑drop waterfall that plunges about 620 feet, often visited on day trips from Portland and one of the gorge’s signature natural attractions for scenic viewing and short hikes." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"The most-visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest, this two-tiered, year-round waterfall drops a dramatic 620 feet and is famous for the misty lower plunge pool and the arched Benson Bridge that spans the falls; the site feels different in person than in photos, draws large crowds, and sits on land historically important to Chinook, Wasco and Klickitat tribes." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"As one of the Gorge’s must-see waterfalls, Multnomah Falls is a 620-foot spectacle and a frequent stop on guided tours and waterfall-chasing itineraries." - Jessica Chapel
"Only a 30-minute drive from Portland, Oregon, Multnomah Falls allows visitors to experience the power of nature up close. The base of this 611-foot-tall double cascade is only a five-minute walk from a parking area immediately off of I-84. Unlike a lot of the other famous waterfalls in the western United States, Multnomah is fed by an underground spring, snow melt, and rainwater, allowing it to flow year-round. (Many others in the area dry up in the summer.) Originating on Larch Mountain, Multnomah Falls is the second highest-year-round waterfall in the United States and the fourth highest waterfall in the country overall. According to Native American legend, these falls were created to win the heart and hand of a young princess who needed a secret place to bathe. All visitors should be sure to check out the viewing area, which is located in a carved-out opening in the face of the rock. From there, you can see both tiers of the falls and get a sense of their gasp-inducing height. More adventurous tourists can climb the paved trail to Benson Bridge (seen in some of the photographs), which spans the width of the falls. The bridge is named for Simon Benson, a businessman who owned the falls and gave them over to the City of Portland before his death. They are now owned by the USDA Forest Service. Multnomah Falls Lodge, built in 1925, is home to a restaurant, gift shop, and information center complete with trail maps for those interested in hiking around the area. The trail to the top of Multnomah Falls is approximately 1.2 miles, but hikers looking for a longer trail can continue on for six miles to the top of Larch Mountain." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
