Multnomah Falls—Portland, Oregon’s Nearby Magic Maiden
Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s #1 most-visited natural attraction, is just a short 30-minute drive from the urban world of Portland. And a place apart. Beware, she is a siren designed to pull you off the highway.
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Multnomah Falls is a temptress. Inexplicably female in her feathery beauty, she captures you first with her grace and then with her sheer size. With a 690 foot drop, she is the highest waterfall in Oregon.
You might as well give in. Go ahead. Pull off I-84, the highway that wends its way through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge. Multnomah Falls deserves a closer look.
The pretty and pwoerful Multnomah Falls is bisected by the Benson Bridge, which merely adds to her beauty.
Multnomah Falls has several ways to rein you in. The sound beckons you from the parking area. After your short walk to the viewing platform at the lower pool, she plunges you into a natural fantasy—green, damp, pine-scented and vibrating from the power of the water. Crane your neck up to take in her whole beautiful length. A railed footbridge bisects the feathery fall, like a sash at the waist of a wedding dress. You want to get closer. Do it. Lean in on the railing, close your eyes and let the cool spray of the water caress your face.
Look around you, deep into the green—and blue, and gold. The firs and ferns, the mosses and the gray rocks. Let her speak to you.
If you want to get closer still, hike up the 1/4-mile paved trail to the Benson Bridge, that sash on the wedding dress. Built in 1914 by a wealthy lumber baron, it’s a great spot to look up at the 542′(165m) fall top tier of the twin-layered cascade, and down onto the lower one, which adds another 69′ (21m) to her majesty.
At Any Season, Multnomah Falls is Nothing Short of Gorgeous.
Spring at Multnomah Falls treats you to the greatest volume of flow, as the snow melt and rainwater run-off from high up in the mountains feeds into the streams and the natural spring that feeds the Falls year-round. In Summer, you can wear shorts, let the spray cool you and quite possibly see one of the many weddings that are staged here.
Oh, but then, there is Autumn. When the water pushes its way through yellows, golds and reds, it can stop your heart. And in Winter, you can capture a special still moment of her frozen beauty.
If You Go to Multnomah Falls
Driving Directions:
Driving to Multnomah Falls from Portland is super easy. For the shortest route, just a 30-minute drive, take I-84 eastbound. Get off at exit 31 (which is an unusual left-side exit ramp). This takes you directly to the parking area. Follow the path from there back under the highway to the viewing area for the falls.
For a more scenic drive of about an hour or so, again take I-84 eastbound from Portland. Take the Troutdale exit then follow the signs for the Scenic Loop Trail. This will take you along the old Columbia River Highway, the first drive in the country to be named a National Historic Landmark. It’s easy to see why. The drive offers up a feast of beautiful views of the Columbia Gorge, Mount Hood and several smaller waterfalls along the way.
Services, Fees and Amenities:
There is no fee to visit Multnomah Falls and a Forest Service pass is not required.
There are several bathrooms available on the grounds.
The Multnomah Falls Lodge is just to one side of the lower viewing platform. Built in 1925 using every kind of stone found in the gorge, it’s a popular destination wedding location. The Lodge includes a restaurant, snack bar, bar, espresso bar and gift shop. The amazing views of the Falls are free.
Also located at the Multnomah Falls Lodge is a US Forest Service Information Center. You’ll find information about the Falls, brochures, and trail maps. There are many books for sale to tell you more about the Falls’ history and legends. Open 9 am-5pm daily.
Pets are allowed at the Falls viewing area. They must be leashed and fully controlled at all times.
Accessibility:
The visitor center and the restaurant and facilities in the Lodge are all fully accessible.
Both the short distance from the parking area to the lower viewing area and the hiking path to the Benson Bridge are paved. The more difficult climb to the very top of the Falls, a distance of about a mile (.6km) is more rigorous, with many switchbacks. Parts of the hike can be damp and slippery. Older travelers who are unsure of their footing should considering sticking to the lower viewpoints.
A Bonus Look at Oregon’s Multnomah Falls
Still not convinced you need to visit Multnomah Falls? Check out this aerial drone video of Her Majesty, Multnomah. I’m betting it will have you packing your bags or loading the car for a trip to Portland and the Columbia River Gorge.
PIN IT for later.
(You know you want to.) 
She looks amazing! And it’s just a 30-min drive?! People from Portland are lucky! I’ll make sure to go here if we get a chance to travel to the US in the future.
If you are anywhere in the Pacific North West of the US, this should be on your list. But the whole region is breathtaking.
Driving through this part of Oregon was breathtaking. From being snowed on at Mt Hood, the view from Vista Point and then this stunning waterfall. The area is a must visit for scenery lovers.
I’m glad you’ve had a chance to experience it first hand, Dean. Yes, a definite must see.
OMG, that is gorgeous! How come I’ve never heard of Multnomah Falls before? You write about it so beautifully too!
Awww, thanks Rachel. Next time you are on this side of the pond, maybe a visit to Oregon will be in the cards. You’ll love it. And those mountains will be a nice complement to your Dutch flatness. 🙂
What a gorgeous waterfall. It looks like a bit of a hidden gem. I’ve heard so much about Oregon I feel like I really need to visit soon.
If you do get to visit, I think you’ll be blown away, Christina. It is one of the most beautiful states…. and so green it makes you ache.
What a stunning location and falls! I love that it’s so close to Portland too. Definitely going to have to make time for it on my next trip!
Yon u’ll be very glad you made the time, Kelly. And there are several other smaller falls very close by. If you take that earlier Troutdale exit, you can see several of them on the way to Multnomah.
I’ve been to Multnomah Falls many times. It is always a pleasure. I didn’t realize it is Oregon’s #1 most-visited natural attraction. I hope to return once again later this year.
Then you know its majesty, Carole. I’ve been told by someone who should know that not only is it the #1 “natural” attraction, but that it was for many years the #1 tourist attraction overall… but that it has been overtaken by Spirit Mountain Casino! Hmmmm….
I have only been to Multnomah a handful of times but siren, indeed. Great description. So appealing and majestic.
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Thanks Charles. She certainly did call to me!
I love waterfalls and this one looks gorgeous! I would love to visit. My mom used to live in Oregon and told me about all of the great nature.
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Your mom certainly had it right, Nathan. It is a gorgeous state all around. The very definition of the color green.
In all the years (6) I lived in Portland, I only visited Multnomah Falls a couple of times. It’s truly beautiful and serene (especially if you manage to avoid the tour bus crowds.) The entire Gorge is an incredible experience.
Indeed it is, Elaine. Unfortunately on my last trip, we were in a bit of a rush, so did not take the whole scenic drive through the Gorge. Next trip for sure!
This is one of my must-see places when we visit the PNW later this year. Thanks for sharing, pinned for later!
Thanks, Micki. Do make that outing. You’ll enjoy it.
The Multnomah fall is stunning but not one that I’ve heard about. I love your video.
Thanks Bola. Actually, there are several of these very high waterfalls along the highway from Portland through the Gorge. Multnomah Falls is the highest and most beautiful, but the entire string of them is stunning.
Do you get wet when you go on the Benson Bridge? Do you need full waterproof gear?
Jaime, you will get a little wet from spray on the Benson bridge, but not soaked. Most people don’t wear rain gear. It’s not like Niagara. The amount of spray depends on the time of year. The “high water” time is in late winter and early spring, when the snowpack is melting. In summer, the water volume is much less, so less spray.
Temptress, indeed! Definitely worth a stop, great post 🙂
Thanks Nausheen. I hope you get to see it for yourself soon.
I have a thing for waterfalls and the way you describe this beauty has me thinking a road trip to Oregon needs to be planned and executed very very soon! Thanks for sharing a small piece of mother nature’s beauty 😉
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You’re welcome, Jazzy. I hope you get to make that trip soon. A a waterfall aficionado, you should take the Troutdale exist and you will see several others along the way to Multnomah.
Multnomah Falls is a siren indeed! We can’t wait to see this amazing waterfall in person. We have family in California and are hoping to visit CA and the northwest later this year. Multnomah Falls will definitely be on our list. Thanks for covering it.
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You’re very welcome. I promise you won’t regret a visit to Multnomah Falls. If you have the time, I heartily recommend taking the slightly slower drive, getting off the highway at the Troutdale exit and taking the historic Columbia Gorge Highway. You will see several other waterfalls along the way. The Gorge is wholly beautiful.
Wow! Nicely done–makes me want to get in the car and just go!
You would love it, Vicki. And it is so easily done!
What a beautiful waterfall. I love waterfalls very much … They are amazing. Lovely video. My hands are scratching to make this trip happen soon … 🙂
Ahh, give in to the scratch, guys. Make it happen.
Wonderful photo! Could almost imagine the sound of it just by looking at your pic. 🙂 And the way you described it, I would definitely go there in Autumn. 😉
Thanks Danijela. I have only been there in winter and summer, but would love to see it myself in the Fall. I had to use my imagination for that, but I’m sure it would be gorgeous!
Beautiful description. I kept looking through your pictures to find this beautiful woman you were talking about!!! Lol. The falls is beautiful. I wonder how it got its name or what it means.
Thanks Christopher. The name comes from a nearby Indian village, which Lewis and Clark noted in their diaries in 1805. Apparently, the name comes from the word “nematlnomaq,” meaning “downriver.”
Multnomah Falls looks majestic! I’d definitely chase this one when I go to Portland!
Oh yes, Trisha, perfect for waterfall chasers! And there are several more in the immediate area!
This falls are so picturesque. I am adding them to my bucket list!
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You will enjoy its majesty when you get there, Agnes.
Stunning place! Thanks for the info.
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I was there many years ago and it seems like there was a legend associated with it. You could imagine seeing the image of an Indian princess or maiden in the falls because died there (other details of the story escape me at the moment). If it wasn’t this falls can you think of a similar falls where this image is visible in the waterfalls? I took so many photos to try and capture the image and finally got one but unfortunately thise photoshave not yet been unpacked here in my new residence since my moving boxes just arrive last week!
You’re right about the legend, Patricia, though there are a few variations on the myth. One of them says that the tribe had been struck by a horrible disease and everyone was dying. She volunteered to die to appease the gods and end the plague. She went to the top of the falls and threw herself off the edge. The plague ended and her people were saved.