5 Multnomah County Waterfalls to See This Summer

Now that summer is finally here, it’s a great time to get out and experience all the Oregon attractions that make our state such a special place to live. You don’t have to go far; within a short drive from downtown Portland, there’s an abundance of natural beauty just waiting to be discovered.

Multnomah County is known for a host of beautiful waterfalls, and what better way to spend a summer day than planning a picnic, bike ride, or hike around one of these natural beauties.

Check out the following list of must-see waterfalls in the Portland area and remember: to avoid injuries and accidents while traveling in Oregon, play it safe by obeying traffic and pedestrian laws, as well as rules posted at the various parks.

Multnomah Falls

Located 30 minutes from downtown Portland, Multnomah Falls holds the record as the tallest waterfall in Oregon. According to Travel Portland, this granddaddy of waterfalls is 640 feet high, and its free-falling waters provide a great way to keep cool. Water cascades down the falls over two drops and mists everything and everyone around it in a cool spray.

Take your camera and hike up the side of the falls to the Benson Bridge, a footbridge dating back to 1914, which offers great views and the chance to get some panoramic pictures of the falls from the second drop. Multiple viewing areas, wheelchair accessible platforms, and a gift shop/restaurant/espresso bar in the Multnomah Falls lodge offer a perfect way to spend a day in any season.

Waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge

In addition to Multnomah Falls, other must see waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge include:

• Horsetail Falls: This 176 foot waterfall located to the east of Multnomah Falls offers great hiking on a 2.5 mile loop that goes up and behind the falls.
• Lower Oneonta Falls: These falls are located along the Oneota Gorge, and are definitely for more adventurous types. In lieu of a regular hiking trail, the gorge itself is the trail. To visit the Lower Oneonta Falls, be prepared to hike up creek waters and climb over the occasional log jam. This hike is unsuitable for small children, but worth the effort for experienced hikers; wading through the Gorge to get to the falls is a great way to cool off on a summer day.
• Lower Punchbowl Falls: These 15 foot falls are accessible along the Eagle Creek Trail, which a popular, short trail that rewards hikers with views of huge trees, canyon walls, and fields of wildflowers.
• Wahclella Falls: A family favorite and a great spot to cool off, it’s a one-mile hike along Tanner Creek to get to the falls, with multiple swimming holes and a beach.

In addition to the above, Oregon State Parks provide an abundance of natural waterfalls in different locals close to Portland, such as Ainsworth State Park and the John B. Yeon Scenic Corridor.

To read more about the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls, visit the Friends of the Columbia Gorge, a non-profit group that works to protect the scenic beauty of this area, which we are lucky to call home.

Contact Our Portland Accident and Injury Attorneys

Remember to play it safe while hiking, and if you are injured in an Oregon State Park or hiking trail, contact an experienced Portland injury attorney at our firm. At the Johnston Law Firm, we understand the serious repercussions that can results from injuries on unsafe premises, and may be able to help you recover damages for medical expenses and lost wages. Call the Johnston Law Firm today, and let us review your case.

CC image courtesy of John Fowler at Flickr