Multnomah Falls is a 620-foot, two-tiered waterfall in Oregon‘s Columbia River Gorge, and the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest. This guide covers parking permits, trail access, transport, accessibility and practical tips for planning a visit.
Updated September 2026. A $2 timed-use permit is required to park in the main I-84 lot between 9am and 6pm daily, from 22 May to 7 September 2026. The falls’ restrooms are also closed for renovation until November 2026, with portable toilets provided instead. Many older guides do not reflect either change.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Height | 620 feet, in two tiers |
| Location | I-84 Exit 31, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking permit | $2 timed-use permit required for the I-84 lot, 9am–6pm daily, 22 May–7 Sept 2026 |
| Restrooms | Closed for renovation until November 2026; portable toilets available |
| Distance from Portland | About 30 miles; roughly 30–40 minutes by car |
| Typical time needed | 30 minutes for the lower falls; up to 2 hours with the trail to the top |
Multnomah Falls parking and permits
There are two parking options. The I-84 lot at Exit 31 is the larger and free of charge, but it requires a timed-use permit between 9am and 6pm daily, from 22 May through 7 September 2026. Outside those hours and dates, no permit is needed. The permit costs $2 per vehicle, booked through recreation.gov, and covers arrival within a one-hour window. There is no limit on how long you can stay once inside.
Permits are released 14 days ahead, at 7am Pacific time, on a rolling daily basis. A smaller number of free permits are also available in person at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Centre in Troutdale and at the Cascade Locks Historical Museum, while supplies last.
A second, smaller lot sits on the Historic Columbia River Highway in front of the lodge. It is privately operated and charges its own fee, and includes limited accessible parking. A permit reservation does not guarantee a space. Both lots fill quickly on summer weekends, and the Forest Service recommends checking the ODOT TripCheck website for real-time capacity images before setting out.
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.
Multnomah Falls trail to the top
From the visitor centre, a paved section of the Larch Mountain Trail (#441) climbs to the historic Benson Bridge, a round trip of 0.4 miles. Hikers who continue past the bridge can reach a small viewing area at the very top of the falls, making the full round trip 2.4 miles with about 600 feet of elevation gain. The Forest Service compares this to roughly 60 flights of stairs on steep, uneven ground.
This upper section was damaged in the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire and has since reopened. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and the first mile and a half typically sees heavy foot traffic in summer.
How to get to Multnomah Falls
By car from Portland: take I-84 east to Exit 31. The off-ramp is on the left. Park, then walk south under the eastbound lanes and the railroad tracks, crossing the Historic Columbia River Highway to reach the lodge.
By car from Cascade Locks: take I-84 west to Exit 31.
Car-free: the Columbia Gorge Express runs daily buses linking the Gateway Transit Center in Portland with Troutdale, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks and Hood River. This avoids the permit system entirely, since it does not require parking at the I-84 lot.
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.
Multnomah Falls accessibility
The lodge and the lower viewing plaza are wheelchair accessible, reached by a paved path from the I-84 lot with some slight inclines. Accessible parking is available at both lots, though the Historic Highway lot is privately operated and charges a fee. The trail beyond Benson Bridge is not accessible, involving steep, uneven ground.
How long to spend at Multnomah Falls
Allow 30 minutes to see the lower falls and the viewing plaza. Add another hour to 90 minutes for the round trip to Benson Bridge and the top viewpoint. Visitors combining the falls with a longer walk to Wahkeena Falls should allow at least half a day.
What to see at Multnomah Falls
The waterfall itself drops in two tiers, fed by underground springs from nearby Larch Mountain. Flow is usually highest in winter and spring. The basalt cliff face exposes six volcanic flows of Grande Ronde Basalt, representing more than 400,000 years of geological history, and the site is considered one of the best in the Gorge for studying it.
Benson Bridge, a stone footbridge crossing the creek partway up the falls, dates from 1914 and was funded by the Portland lumberman and philanthropist Simon Benson.
Multnomah Falls Lodge, built in 1925, houses a visitor centre, snack bar and gift shop on the lower level, with a fully accessible restaurant upstairs reached by stairs or lift. The Visitor Centre is staffed jointly by Forest Service employees and volunteers from Friends of Multnomah Falls, and offers trail maps and brochures in several languages.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book your permit early | Slots for weekends and holidays release 14 days ahead and go quickly. |
| Visit before 9am or after 6pm | No permit is needed outside these hours, even during permit season. |
| Expect portable toilets | The lodge’s restrooms are closed for renovation until November 2026. |
| Wear sturdy footwear on the trail | The route beyond Benson Bridge is steep, uneven, and often wet with spray. |
| Consider the bus | The Columbia Gorge Express sidesteps the parking permit system altogether. |
Frequently asked questions about Multnomah Falls
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need a permit to visit Multnomah Falls? | Only if you park in the I-84 lot between 9am and 6pm daily, from 22 May to 7 September 2026. Outside those hours and dates, no permit is required. |
| How much does the permit cost? | $2 per vehicle, booked through recreation.gov. A limited number of free permits are available in person in Troutdale and Cascade Locks. |
| Can you walk to the top of Multnomah Falls? | Yes. The round trip from the visitor centre to the top is 2.4 miles, with about 600 feet of elevation gain on the Larch Mountain Trail. |
| Are dogs allowed at Multnomah Falls? | Yes, on a leash, in the parking areas, the plaza and the paved sections of the trail. |
| Is Multnomah Falls wheelchair accessible? | The lodge and the lower viewing plaza are accessible by a paved path. The trail beyond Benson Bridge is not. |
Things to do near Multnomah Falls
Wahkeena Falls is a fan-shaped, 242-foot waterfall about half a mile west, reachable by a short hike from Multnomah Falls or by driving to its own trailhead on the Historic Highway. No permit is needed here.
Vista House at Crown Point is an art deco observatory around 7 miles west, built on a basalt promontory with sweeping views along the Gorge.
Horsetail Falls and Oneonta Gorge lie a short drive east along the Historic Highway, part of the wider Waterfall Corridor.
Bonneville Dam, about 30 minutes east, has underwater viewing windows where salmon and sturgeon can be seen passing through fish ladders.
What to visit tomorrow: more of the Columbia River Gorge
Latourell Falls, a single-drop waterfall framed by hexagonal basalt columns, is about 15 minutes west of Multnomah Falls.
Bridal Veil Falls, a short, easy walk from a trailhead further along the Historic Highway, is a gentler option for families.
Silver Falls State Park, home to ten named waterfalls on a looping trail, is about 2 hours south near Salem.
Beacon Rock State Park, across the river in Washington, offers a switchback trail to the top of a striking volcanic plug with Gorge views.
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.
