Latourell Falls is a 224-foot waterfall on Latourell Creek, inside Guy W. Talbot State Park on the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Portland, Oregon. This guide covers opening hours, parking fees, transport, accessibility, and practical tips for planning a visit.
This guide was updated in September 2026. One point to note: since 30 March 2026, Latourell Falls has required a paid day-use parking permit, a change from the free parking many older guides still describe.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | June–August: 6am–10pm. September–May: 6am–dusk |
| Ticket prices | Day-use parking permit $10 (Oregon residents) or $12 (out-of-state), purchased on site |
| Address | Historic Columbia River Highway, Corbett, OR 97019 |
| Nearest transport | No public transport to the trailhead; car access only |
| Typical time needed | 20 minutes for the lower falls; 1.5 to 2 hours for the full loop |
Latourell Falls opening hours
Guy W. Talbot State Park, home to Latourell Falls, opens from 6am to 10pm between June and August, and from 6am to dusk between September and May. There is no staffed gate, so these are the hours during which the park is intended for visiting rather than a locked entry time.
From November through March, water and electricity are switched off at the picnic shelter and the seasonal restrooms are closed. Check the park’s current notices before visiting, since fire restrictions and other advisories can change with the season.
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.
Latourell Falls ticket prices
Since 30 March 2026, visitors who drive to Latourell Falls need a day-use parking permit, costing $10 per day for Oregon residents and $12 per day for out-of-state visitors. Permits are bought on site from a fee machine or QR code sign, or in advance online through the Oregon State Parks store. One daily permit covers parking at any other Oregon state park requiring a day-use fee on the same day, so it is worth combining a visit with a nearby park.
The parking fee does not apply to visitors who arrive on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport, or who hold a valid camping hangtag or a current 12-month parking permit. A 12-month permit costs $60 for Oregon residents or $75 for non-residents, and pays for itself after about six visits to any fee-charging Oregon state park.
Parking fee information was checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026.
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.
How to get to Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls is reached by car only. There is no public transport to the trailhead. From central Portland, take Interstate 84 East for about 25 miles to Exit 28, then turn onto the Historic Columbia River Highway and continue west for around 3 miles to the parking area on the right. The drive takes about 30 to 40 minutes from Portland.
Parking at Latourell Falls
The main day-use lot holds around 20 vehicles and fills early on summer weekends. A smaller pull-off is closer to the falls, and a larger lower lot at the picnic area has additional space, along with restrooms and picnic tables. A day-use parking permit is required at all of these areas since March 2026.
How long to spend at Latourell Falls
The lower falls viewpoint is a paved, roughly 30-second walk from the day-use lot, so allow 15 to 20 minutes for a quick visit. The full Latourell Falls Loop, which climbs to Upper Latourell Falls and returns along the opposite bank of the creek, is about 2 miles and takes 1.5 to 2 hours at a steady pace.
Accessibility at Latourell Falls
The lower falls viewpoint is one of the more accessible waterfall views in the Columbia Gorge, reached by a paved path with a railed observation deck and no significant elevation change. The lower picnic area has accessible parking, accessible restrooms and paved walkways. The 2-mile upper loop trail is not wheelchair accessible, climbing around 600 feet on packed-dirt switchbacks with exposed roots and rocky sections.
What to see at Latourell Falls
Lower Latourell Falls drops 224 feet in a single plunge over columnar basalt streaked with chartreuse-coloured lichen, visible from the trailhead and reached by a short walk beneath a historic 1914 bridge on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The lower viewpoint is one of the most photographed spots in the Gorge, and some visitors even hold small wedding ceremonies at its base.
The Latourell Falls Loop trail climbs about 2 miles through rocky sections and dense foliage, crossing four small wooden bridges as it follows Latourell Creek. It leads to Upper Latourell Falls, the third-tallest waterfall in the Columbia Gorge, which drops in two tiers: an almost-hidden block fall followed by a plunge into a pool. The return leg follows the opposite bank of the canyon through quieter, shadier forest before rejoining the highway near the picnic area.
The park itself, Guy W. Talbot State Park, was a summer estate belonging to Guy Webster Talbot, a Portland utility executive, until he and his family donated the land to Oregon in 1929. The small town of Latourell borders the park’s north side, and visitors are asked to respect residents’ privacy. Some of the park’s early development, including trails and structures, was carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1935.
The upper falls and part of the loop trail lie within the George W. Joseph State Natural Area, named for the family that donated this section of land in 1934 and 1942.
Because the park is within a Multnomah County quarantine zone for the emerald ash borer, visitors should not bring ash, olive or white fringe tree material, including firewood, from outside the county.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive before 10am, especially on weekends, to find parking and avoid crowds. |
| Crowds | The lower viewpoint gets busy quickly, but the upper loop thins out after the first bridge. |
| Layout | Buy your parking permit as soon as you arrive, from the on-site machine or QR code. |
| Entry process | No entrance fee applies, only the vehicle parking permit if you drive in. |
| On-site logistics | Wear sturdy shoes for the upper loop, which has rocky, uneven and sometimes muddy sections. |
Frequently asked questions about Latourell Falls
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to pay to park at Latourell Falls? | Yes, since 30 March 2026, a $10 to $12 day-use parking permit is required. |
| Is Latourell Falls suitable for children? | The lower viewpoint is easy and family-friendly; the upper loop is steeper and longer. |
| Can you swim at Latourell Falls? | Swimming and wading are discouraged near the base of the falls due to falling debris. |
| Are dogs allowed at Latourell Falls? | Yes, pets are allowed in the park; check current leash rules before visiting. |
| Is Latourell Falls wheelchair accessible? | The lower viewpoint is accessible by paved path; the upper loop trail is not. |
Things to do near Latourell Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint – a short, easy waterfall walk a few minutes east on the historic highway.
- Vista House at Crown Point – a historic observatory with wide views over the Columbia River, a short drive west.
- Multnomah Falls – the Gorge’s best-known waterfall, a short drive east along the historic highway.
- Wahkeena Falls – a tiered waterfall with a connecting trail to Multnomah Falls, a short drive east.
- Angel’s Rest Trailhead – a viewpoint hike with wide Gorge views, about 3 miles east.
Alternative attractions
- Silver Falls State Park – Oregon’s largest state park, with a loop trail passing ten waterfalls, about 1 hour 45 minutes’ drive.
- Beacon Rock State Park, Washington – a volcanic monolith with a switchback summit trail overlooking the Gorge, about 45 minutes’ drive.
- Panther Creek Falls, Washington – a tiered waterfall in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, about 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive.
- Ramona Falls, Mount Hood – a fan-shaped waterfall reached by a forested loop trail, about 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive.
- Punch Bowl Falls, Eagle Creek – a waterfall trail further east in the Columbia Gorge, about 1 hour’s drive.
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.
