Elowah Falls

Elowah Falls is a magnificent 213-foot plunge on McCord Creek in the Columbia River Gorge, dropping in a single sheer column into a wide gravel amphitheater surrounded by towering basalt walls draped in moss and ferns. The falls are set back in a deep alcove that amplifies the roar of the water, and on breezy days the thin stream of water drifts and sways as it descends, catching the light in ever-changing patterns. The scale of the amphitheater — nearly 300 feet across — gives the falls a cathedral-like grandeur.

The 1.5-mile round-trip trail from the John B. Yeon trailhead switchbacks through old-growth forest before crossing McCord Creek on a bridge and arriving at the base of the falls. The trail gains just 260 feet and is well-maintained, making it an easy to moderate hike suitable for most fitness levels. A separate spur trail leads to Upper McCord Creek Falls for those wanting a longer outing with additional waterfall views.

Elowah Falls sees a fraction of the visitors that Multnomah Falls draws, despite being one of the tallest and most beautiful waterfalls in the Gorge. Visit in spring for maximum flow, or in winter when ice formations create dramatic frozen curtains on the cliff face. The trailhead is accessed from I-84 Exit 35.