Bridal Veil Falls is a 120-foot, two-tiered waterfall in Oregon‘s Columbia River Gorge, reached by a short trail from a state park of the same name. This guide covers parking permits, trail access, transport, accessibility and practical tips for planning a visit.
Updated September 2026. Since 30 March 2026, a day-use parking permit has been required here, a change from the free parking that many older guides still describe.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Height | About 120 feet, in two tiers |
| Location | Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint, Historic Columbia River Highway, near milepost 28 |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking permit | $10 (Oregon residents) or $12 (out-of-state), purchased on site |
| Trails | 0.3-mile lower trail to the falls; 0.5-mile paved Overlook Trail loop |
| Distance from Portland | About 25 miles; roughly 30–35 minutes by car |
| Typical time needed | 30–45 minutes for the falls trail; add 20–30 minutes for the Overlook Trail |
Bridal Veil Falls parking and permits
Since 30 March 2026, every vehicle parking at Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint needs a day-use parking permit. It is bought on site from a fee machine or QR code, costing $10 for Oregon residents and $12 for out-of-state visitors. One daily permit also covers parking at any other Oregon state park requiring a day-use fee on the same day.
The fee does not apply to visitors arriving on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport, or to those holding a valid camping hangtag or a current 12-month parking permit.
Why book the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls tour from Portland?
- See spectacular waterfalls: Visit iconic cascades such as Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls in the stunning Columbia River Gorge.
- Scenic natural landscapes: Enjoy panoramic views of lush forests, river valleys and towering cliffs along the Gorge’s scenic byways.
- Expert local guide: Learn about the geology, ecology and local history of the region as you travel between viewpoints.
- Convenient round-trip from Portland: Includes transport from central Portland, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery without driving yourself.
- Perfect for nature lovers: Ideal if you want a full-day experience of the Pacific Northwest’s most breathtaking waterfalls and outdoor beauty.
Bridal Veil Falls trails
Two trails start from the same parking area. The lower trail is a steep, 0.3-mile descent to the base of the falls, passing under the historic 1914 highway bridge and mossy basalt cliffs to a viewpoint below the 120-foot, two-tiered drop. Along the way, hikers cross Bridal Veil Creek and pass the remains of the site’s former sawmill, including a dike and a corrugated iron shed. A posted warning asks visitors not to walk along the road bridge itself, since it has no sidewalk.
The Overlook Trail is a separate, half-mile paved loop with views of Archer Mountain, Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rock and the Pillars of Hercules, a distinctive basalt tower. The route also passes forest still recovering from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.
How to get to Bridal Veil Falls
By car from Portland: take I-84 east to Exit 28. Turn onto the Historic Columbia River Highway and travel west about three-quarters of a mile to the park entrance.
Car-free: the Columbia Gorge Express bus serves nearby Multnomah Falls, a short distance east along the Historic Highway.
5 great Portland experiences to book
- 🌊 See the best beaches and views on a full day Oregon coast tour.
- 🏞️ Get a work out on a half day hiking tour to Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge.
- 🚢 Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Willamette River.
- 👻 Hear ghost stories on an underground tour of the haunted Shanghai tunnels – with beer tastings.
- 🍽️ Taste 6 local and global dishes on a downtown food tour.
Bridal Veil Falls accessibility
The lower trail to the falls is steep, with switchbacks, and is not wheelchair accessible. Picnic tables and restrooms near the parking area are within easy walking distance for most visitors.
How long to spend at Bridal Veil Falls
Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the round trip on the lower trail to the falls, since the return climb is steeper than the descent. Add another 20 to 30 minutes for the Overlook Trail loop if visiting both. A full visit to both trails, plus a stop at the picnic area, takes about an hour and a half.
What to see at Bridal Veil Falls
The waterfall drops about 120 feet in two tiers over mossy basalt, fed by Bridal Veil Creek, which originates on nearby Larch Mountain. The historic highway bridge above the falls dates from 1914 and forms part of the Historic Columbia River Highway, engineered between 1913 and 1922.
The site was once a working sawmill, run by the Bridal Veil Falls Lumbering Company from 1886. A flume once carried rough-cut timber down from Larch Mountain to the mill and the railroad below, diverting the creek almost dry in the process. Visible remnants along the lower trail include a dike, a human-made creek channel, and a corrugated iron shed, the last surviving mill building.
On the Overlook Trail, the Pillars of Hercules, a 120-foot basalt tower once used to train mountain climbers, is visible from several points. Signs along the way identify native wildflowers such as camas, lupine, bead lily, trillium and bleeding heart. Fenced viewpoints along the paved loop also take in Archer Mountain, Hamilton Mountain and the 848-foot volcanic plug of Beacon Rock, all on the Washington side of the river.
The small town of Bridal Veil, once a company settlement built around the sawmill, still borders the park. After the mill closed, the site continued to see industrial use, including producing wooden boxes for a cheese maker and, later, wartime ammunition.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Buy your permit first | Pay at the on-site machine or QR code as soon as you arrive. |
| Skip the road bridge | View the falls from the trail, not the narrow highway bridge above it. |
| Wear proper footwear | The lower trail is steep, with loose gravel in places. |
| Visit in spring | Wildflowers and creek flow are both at their best. |
| Pair it with the Overlook Trail | It adds Gorge views without much extra time. |
Frequently asked questions about Bridal Veil Falls
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to pay to park at Bridal Veil Falls? | Yes. Since 30 March 2026, a $10 to $12 day-use parking permit is required. |
| How long is the walk to Bridal Veil Falls? | About 0.3 miles each way, on a steep trail from the parking area to the base of the falls. |
| Is Bridal Veil Falls wheelchair accessible? | No. The lower trail to the falls is steep, with switchbacks. |
| Can you walk onto the bridge over Bridal Veil Falls? | No. The road bridge has no sidewalk. Visitors are asked to view the falls from the trail instead. |
| Is there a fee beyond the parking permit? | No. The parking permit is the only charge. The trails themselves are free to walk. |
Things to do near Bridal Veil Falls
Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s tallest waterfall at 620 feet, is a short drive east along the Historic Highway.
Wahkeena Falls and Fairy Falls lie a little further east, sharing a single trailhead.
Shepperd’s Dell, a smaller waterfall beneath a historic arched bridge, is a short drive further along the same road.
Vista House at Crown Point, an art deco observatory with panoramic Gorge views, is a short drive west.
What to visit tomorrow: more of the Columbia River Gorge
Latourell Falls, framed by hexagonal basalt columns, is about 10 minutes west of Bridal Veil Falls.
Oneonta Gorge and Horsetail Falls lie a short drive east, within the same Waterfall Corridor.
Silver Falls State Park, with ten named waterfalls on a single looping trail, is about 2 hours south near Salem.
Beacon Rock State Park, across the river in Washington, has a switchback trail to the summit of a volcanic plug overlooking the Gorge.
More Oregon travel
Other Oregon travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to the top ten sights along the Columbia River Gorge.
- What to expect at the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.
- Guides to the highlights of Portland’s Washington Park: Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, the Portland Japanese Garden, World Forestry Center and International Rose Test Garden.
- Portland Art Museum guide: What to expect after the multi-million dollar renovation.
- All you need to know about visiting the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland.
