Water falls in two tiers, the footbridge waits above.
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 7 experiences from 240 reviewed.
Verified partners for Multnomah Falls tours, free cancellation where available, and instant confirmation on every booking.
3 hr 30 min
Half-day guided escape to the Columbia River Gorge's iconic waterfalls and scenic overlooks from downtown Portland.
Reserve
4 hr
Chase Oregon's most spectacular waterfalls on a guided 4-hour journey along the historic Columbia River Highway.
Reserve
3 hr 30 min
See 5 of Oregon's grandest waterfalls plus Crown Point's sweeping Columbia River views in 3.5 hours.
Reserve
8 hr 30 min
Full-day small-group escape from Portland to Multnomah Falls, Hood River and Mt. Hood
Reserve
30 min
Soar above Oregon's iconic Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge on a private 30-minute air tour.
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
Multnomah Falls drops 620 feet in two tiers, making it the tallest waterfall in Oregon. The stone Benson Bridge that spans the lower cascade was built in 1914 by Italian stonemasons, financed by Portland businessman Simon Benson.
Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the falls run year-round, unlike many seasonal cascades along the Columbia River Gorge. Today the site anchors a corridor of waterfalls on the Historic Columbia River Highway, and a Timed Use Permit governs peak-season access. Visitors weighing multnomah falls tickets, timed entry, or a multnomah falls reservation now plan around a 2 USD per-vehicle permit required 9am to 6pm in summer. For those without a car, a multnomah falls tour from Portland threads the basalt cliffs, mossy switchbacks, and the lodge below — a Gorge landmark that endures.
"Fed by springs on Larch Mountain, the falls run year-round while lesser cascades fall silent."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Multnomah Falls tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You arrive by 7am, ahead of the 9am permit window, and the parking lot is nearly empty. You cross beneath the Historic Highway, climb the paved path, and reach Benson Bridge in under ten minutes — the 542-foot upper tier roaring close enough to mist your sleeves.
You push higher on the 1.2-mile switchback trail to the overlook, where the creek pours over the cliff edge at your feet. On the descent you stop at the 1925 lodge for coffee, then wander the highway toward Wahkeena Falls a half-mile west. By the time the timed-entry crowds gather at midday, you are already gone, the basalt walls and a multnomah falls tour from Portland behind you, the Gorge opening east.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Multnomah Falls tours remember — all visible on a single visit.
The upper tier of the falls drops 542 feet in a single unbroken plunge over Grande Ronde Basalt — making it the second-tallest year-round waterfall in the United States and the centerpiece of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Built in 1914 and named for Simon Benson — the lumber baron who gifted 140 acres around the falls to the City of Portland — this 45-foot reinforced-concrete arch spans the canyon 105 feet above the lower cascade and is one of the most photographed structures in Oregon.
Constructed in 1925 entirely from local gorge stone and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, the lodge sits at the foot of the falls and houses a full-service restaurant, espresso bar, gift shop, and a USDA Forest Service Visitor Center where six distinct basalt flows visible in the cliff face are explained.
A 0.1-mile spur off Larch Mountain Trail at the 1.1-mile mark leads to a wooden viewing platform at the brink of the upper falls, offering a vertiginous downward view of the full 620-foot drop, the lodge far below, and a broad Columbia River panorama.
The stone-paved plaza at the base provides the only vantage point from which both tiers — the 542-foot upper plunge and the 69-foot lower cascade — appear simultaneously in a single unobstructed frame; the lower tier drops into a plunge pool surrounded by mossy basalt walls.
Every Multnomah Falls tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | From | Duration | Transfers | Pickup | Lunch | Tax inc. | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Skip-the-line Most popular
Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Morning Tour from Portland
|
Portland | 3 hr 30 min | — | — | — | — | ✓ | €66 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland
|
Portland | 4 hr | — | — | — | — | ✓ | €77 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Multnomah Falls & the Columbia Gorge: Half-Day Waterfall Tour
|
— | 3 hr 30 min | — | — | — | — | ✓ | €86 | Book → |
|
Premium Combo
Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge Day Tour from Portland
|
Portland | 8 hr 30 min | — | — | — | — | ✓ | €109 | Book → |
|
Luxury / Private
Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Flight Tour
|
— | 30 min | — | — | — | — | ✓ | €173 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for Multnomah Falls tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
53000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Bridal Veil, OR 97010
Paved plaza directly in front of the falls; standard meet-up point for guided tours and groups
Open in Google MapsTake TriMet MAX Blue Line to Gateway/NE 99th Ave TC, then board the Columbia Area Transit Columbia Gorge Express bus direct to Multnomah Falls — no car needed, no permit required.
Multnomah Falls generates heavy mist on the trail and near Benson Bridge, so waterproof or quick-dry layers are strongly recommended even in summer. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes with grip are essential for the steep, switchbacked trail above the bridge — the upper section gains roughly 600 feet of elevation over 1.2 miles on uneven terrain. Sun protection is advisable from late spring through early fall when the gorge heats up rapidly.
There is no bag screening or security checkpoint at Multnomah Falls. Day packs and backpacks are welcome on all trails. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is federal land managed by the US Forest Service; rangers patrol the area and enforce Leave No Trace rules. Leave valuables out of sight in parked vehicles, as break-ins have been reported at the I-84 Exit 31 lot.
Photography for personal use is freely permitted throughout the falls, trails, Benson Bridge, and lodge exterior. The lower viewing platform directly below the 620-foot cascade is the most popular vantage point and produces the classic two-tier composition. Commercial photography and drone operation require a Special Use Permit from the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area; contact the US Forest Service at (541) 308-1700 for details.
The paved walkway from the I-84 Exit 31 lot through the pedestrian tunnel to the lower viewpoint is fully wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Multnomah Falls Lodge has an elevator serving its upper-level restaurant, and the visitor center on the ground floor is ADA-compliant. The paved trail to Benson Bridge (0.2 miles, 335 ft elevation gain) has sections up to 16% grade that may require assistance. The trail above Benson Bridge to the upper overlook is steep, unpaved in sections, and not wheelchair accessible. Lodge restrooms are under renovation through November 2026; accessible portable toilets are available on site. Six ADA parking spots are reserved at the Historic Highway lot (fee required); two ADA spots at the I-84 Exit 31 lot.
Cell signal can be intermittent in the Columbia River Gorge, particularly on the upper trail above Benson Bridge. Download your Recreation.gov timed-use permit confirmation and an offline trail map before arriving. The Columbia Gorge Express buses are equipped with Wi-Fi for in-transit use.
Multnomah Falls is one of the most family-friendly natural sites in the Pacific Northwest — the paved lower path is stroller-accessible and the lower viewpoint is fenced and safe for young children. The 0.4-mile round trip to Benson Bridge suits older children and offers a close-up of the falls' two tiers, totalling a combined 620-foot drop. The lodge gift shop and espresso bar provide a convenient rest stop; children 6 and under ride the Columbia Gorge Express bus for free.
Multnomah Falls Lodge (built 1925, listed on the National Register of Historic Places) houses a full-service restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a full bar and Sunday brunch — reservations are encouraged. An espresso and snack bar on the ground floor offers coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go items. There are no other food vendors on the falls trails; visitors planning the full 2.4-mile round-trip hike to the top should carry water and snacks. A water bottle filling station is available inside the lodge.
Dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash throughout the viewing plaza, the trail to Benson Bridge, and the trail to the top of the falls. Pets are not permitted inside Multnomah Falls Lodge buildings or the restaurant; outdoor water bowls are available near the gift shop entrance. Pack out all waste — no pet waste bags are provided on trail.
Lodge restrooms are under renovation through November 2026; plan for limited portable toilet availability, especially at peak hours. The Historic Columbia River Highway east of Multnomah Falls remains subject to closures — use I-84 Exit 31 for the most reliable vehicle access. Eagle Creek Trail and Wahclella Falls Trail are closed under USFS Forest Order through October 31, 2026 due to December 2025 storm damage; factor this in when planning nearby hikes.
53000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Bridal Veil, OR 97010
Paved plaza directly in front of the falls; standard meet-up point for guided tours and groups
Get directionsBest time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
Water flow is at its peak, fed by snowmelt from Larch Mountain; trails are lush and green but expect rain gear and muddy upper switchbacks.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Timed Use Permits for the I-84 Exit 31 lot release on Recreation.gov exactly 14 days before your visit date at 7 am PST — popular weekend slots sell out within minutes of release.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
Multi-tiered 242-foot cascade 0.5 miles from the lodge with a creek-side trail loop
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Timed Use Permits booked via Recreation.gov may be cancelled up to 24 hours before the reserved arrival window for a full refund of the $2 USD transaction fee per vehicle. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the arrival slot are non-refundable.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Historic 1911 Poor Farm converted into a hotel and entertainment complex with multiple bars, restaurants, and a soaking pool; base camp for gorge day trips
A $2 USD Timed Use Permit per vehicle is required to use the I-84 Exit 31 parking lot between 9 am and 6 pm daily from May 22 through September 7, 2026; book at Recreation.gov. If you arrive before 9 am or after 6 pm, or if you arrive by public transit, bike, or tour shuttle, no permit is needed.
The falls and trails are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Multnomah Falls Lodge (restaurant, espresso bar, gift shop, and visitor center) operates on its own schedule — generally 9 am to 6 pm daily, though hours can vary by season.
The best arrival window is 07:00–09:00, before the 9 am permit window opens and before midday crowds arrive. Weekday mornings and the off-season (October through May 21) see the lightest attendance; summer weekends between 10 am and 4 pm are the most congested.
Columbia Area Transit (CAT) operates the Columbia Gorge Express bus 7 days a week from Gateway Transit Center in Portland (accessible via TriMet MAX Blue Line) directly to Multnomah Falls for approximately $10 round trip per adult; children 6 and under ride free. No timed-use permit is required for transit or shuttle riders.
Most visitors spend 1–2 hours at Multnomah Falls: about 20 minutes at the lower viewpoint and lodge, 30–45 minutes hiking the paved trail to Benson Bridge (0.4 miles round trip), and an additional 60–90 minutes if continuing the full 2.4-mile round-trip hike to the upper overlook at the brink of the 542-foot upper falls.
The paved path from the I-84 lot through the pedestrian tunnel to the lower viewing platform is fully wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Multnomah Falls Lodge has an elevator to its upper-level restaurant. The trail to Benson Bridge has a sustained grade of up to 16% and may require assistance; the upper trail above the bridge is steep and not wheelchair accessible.
Dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash throughout the viewing plaza and on all trails, including the route to Benson Bridge and the upper overlook. Pets are not permitted inside the lodge buildings or restaurant; outdoor water bowls are provided near the gift shop.
Wear waterproof or quick-dry layers because mist from the falls reaches the bridge and lower trail even in dry weather; sturdy closed-toe shoes with grip are essential for the steep upper switchbacks. Bring your Recreation.gov permit confirmation, water, snacks for the upper trail, sunscreen, and an offline trail map as cell signal can be unreliable in the gorge.
Multnomah Falls Lodge houses a full-service restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Sunday brunch included), plus a ground-floor espresso and snack bar. A water bottle filling station is available inside the lodge. There are no other food vendors on the trails, so carry provisions if you plan to hike to the top.
Personal photography is freely permitted everywhere at the falls, trails, and lodge exterior. Commercial photography and drone flights require a Special Use Permit from the US Forest Service; contact the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area office at (541) 308-1700.
Wahkeena Falls is a 10-minute walk west along the Historic Columbia River Highway; Horsetail Falls (and nearby Ponytail Falls, where you walk behind the waterfall) are 5 minutes east by car. Crown Point Vista House — a free 1918 observatory 693 feet above the Columbia River — is about 20 minutes west. Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery, a free National Historic Landmark, is roughly 15 minutes east.
Timed Use Permits booked via Recreation.gov may be cancelled up to 24 hours before the reserved arrival window for a full refund of the $2 USD transaction fee; cancellations within 24 hours of the permit slot are non-refundable.
