Last Updated: 3/12/26 – Multnomah Falls Guide

If you are a big fan of waterfalls, then you are in for a real treat. One of the prettiest waterfalls in North America is located just outside of Portland, Oregon. Don’t get me wrong, there are some gorgeous waterfalls on the continent. Niagara Falls in New York State is probably the most famous of those. However, even though Multnomah Falls in Oregon doesn’t get the notoriety, it is every bit as beautiful.

The falls are located just outside of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. Believe me, the backdrop for this waterfall could not be more beautiful. The large, cascading waterfalls seem to come out of nowhere as they cascade into the river gorge. With an observation bridge at the halfway point of the cascade, the views you can get of the waterfall are breathtaking.

In this Multnomah Falls guide, I am going to give you all of the information you need to visit Multnomah Falls.  I am going to outline how to get to the Multnomah Falls, when the best times are to make your visit, where to stay while you are in the Portland area, and what else you can see while you are on your trip.

Multnomah Falls Guide Navigation Menu

How to Get to Multnomah Falls

As I mentioned before, the Multnomah Falls are located in the Columbia River Gorge, which sits just outside of Portland in the state of Oregon.  If you are staying in Portland, the falls are only about 30 miles East of the city, which is a quick 40-45 minute drive.  They are also in relatively close proximity to several other great attractions in the area that I listed in the table below and will highlight in this Multnomah Falls guide.

Multnomah Falls Location Map

Drive Times to Multnomah Falls

City\Park	Distance	Drive Time	Notes
Oneonta Gorge Area	3 miles	0hrs 06min	Famous slot‑canyon gorge (access varies due to fire recovery).
Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint	4 miles	0hrs 07min	Short hike to a two‑tier waterfall and panoramic overlook.
Bonneville Lock & Dam / Fish Hatchery	10 miles	0hrs 15min	Historic hydroelectric dam with visitor center and sturgeon viewing.
Government Cove Recreation Site	20 miles	0hrs 25min	Peninsula viewpoint with excellent Gorge scenery.
Beacon Rock State Park	22 miles	0hrs 30min	Iconic monolith with a historic switchback trail to the summit.
Portland, OR	31 miles	0hrs 35min	Portland International Airport (PDX) is the closest major airport to Multnomah Falls.
Cannon Beach	110 miles	2hrs 15min	One of Oregon’s most iconic coastal destinations, famous for Haystack Rock.
Eugene, OR	139 miles	2hrs 30min	EUG is a regional airport with growing domestic routes; Eugene is Oregon’s second‑largest metro area.
Heceta Head Lighthouse	173 miles	3hrs 30min	One of the most photographed lighthouses in the U.S., perched on a dramatic cliff above the Pacific. Features a short hike, sweeping ocean views, and access to the historic lighthouse keeper’s house.
Seattle, WA	195 miles	3hrs 50min	SEA is one of the largest airports in the U.S. with global connectivity; Seattle is the nearest large international‑airport city after Portland.

Be Prepared by Obtaining a Timed Entry Pass Ahead of Time

The Multnomah Falls are located right off Highway 84, and there is a designated parking area where you can park while you visit the falls.  There used to be no cost to visiting the falls, but because of its popularity, you now have to pay a small admission fee to visit. The best way to reserve your entry into see Multnomah Falls is to book a timed entry reservation through the Recreation.gov website.  Once you arrive at the falls, the visitor center is a great place to stop for more information. The visitor center is open from 9am-5pm daily and is located on the ground floor of the Multnomah Falls Lodge. In addition to an information desk, it also includes a gift shop, a snack bar, a restaurant, and restrooms.

One of the best ways to see the falls and save yourself from having to make the long hike up to the top is to rent an electric bike from EBik Multnomah Falls. In addition to renting out these incredible bikes for visitors to use to tour the Multnomah Falls, the friendly staff at EBik also offers incredible tours of the falls that you can take through them. I cannot recommend an electric bike rental from EBik strongly enough!

As you can see in the site map in my Multnomah Falls guide below, there are plenty of hiking trails that you can explore within the site.  The most popular hike is up to the top of the 542-foot-tall cascading waterfall.  The 2.2-mile hike to the Multnomah Falls viewpoint has an elevation climb of roughly 700 feet and is considered a moderately difficult hike.

Best Time to Visit Multnomah Falls

To assist you in determining the best time for you to plan your trip, I have included some information on average temperature and average precipitation levels for you to review in my Multnomah Falls guide below.

Temperature (°F)

During the winter months of December through February, it does get cold in the Portland area, but you typically don’t see the brutally cold temperatures where it falls well below zero degrees Fahrenheit that often.  With average highs in the low-to-mid ’40s, the winters are rather mild.  Likewise, during the summer months, the high temperatures typically don’t get unbearably hot.  With the average highs in the upper 70s and low 80s during the summer months of June through August, the summers are rather mild as well.

Precipitation (Inches)

Because Portland is located near the Pacific coast, the amount of rainfall the area sees is typically higher than you would see in the American Midwest or Southwest.  The rainiest months of the year are the late fall and winter months of November through January.  If you visit during this time, be prepared to see a fair amount of rain or snow.  During the summer months of July and August, the precipitation levels are the lowest, so you have the best chance of seeing good weather.

Where to Stay Near Multnomah Falls

If you are going to visit the Portland area to see the Multnomah Falls, I would suggest that you look at lodging in the Portland area.  To assist you in finding a good hostel or hotel, I have included a list and a map with some recommendations at different price points for you to consider.  If you are looking to camp out in the area, I have also listed several popular campgrounds in my Multnomah Falls guide below for you to review.

View Larger Map

Campgrounds Nearby

Below is a map of some of the more popular campgrounds in the Columbia River Gorge area.  If you are looking to book a campsite during the summer months, I would suggest you make your reservation well in advance.

Hiking Near Multnomah Falls

While you can get some great views of the falls at the bottom, several great hiking trails in the Multnomah Falls area will allow you to get some much closer views of this beautiful waterfall.  I have included a map from the US Forest Service that outlines all of the hiking trails in the area in my Multnomah Falls guide below for you to review.

View Larger Map

Other Things to See Near Multnomah Falls

In addition to the Multnomah Falls, the Portland area has several other amazing things for you to see and do.  To assist you in planning your trip, I have included a list of some of the other great things to see and do in the area below for you to review.

View Larger Map

Multnomah Falls Photo Gallery

The Multnomah Falls are stunningly beautiful.  It’s one of those places where you don’t really have to try to get amazing pictures; they sort of just take themselves.  Below is a gallery of just some of the pictures I was able to get during my visit.

If you’re interested in exploring more of my travel photography, I’d love for you to join me on Instagram! Creating this blog to share my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips takes a lot of effort, and a follow on Instagram would truly mean the world to me. Your support makes it all worthwhile!

FOLLOW ME!

• Instagram

Don’t Forget to Subscribe to My Adventures!

Let Me Help You Save On Your Next Adventure!

‘Start Exploring Today’ Merchandise Available Now!