Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is Oregon's crown jewel, a staggering 620-foot double-tiered plunge that ranks as the tallest waterfall in the state. The upper falls drop 542 feet in a single sheer cascade, separated by a nine-foot ledge from the 69-foot lower falls. A historic stone bridge arches gracefully between the two tiers, framing one of the most photographed scenes in the Pacific Northwest against a backdrop of moss-draped basalt cliffs.

The paved trail begins at the Multnomah Falls Lodge and climbs 2.4 miles round trip through old-growth forest to an observation platform perched above the upper falls. The Benson Bridge viewpoint at the 0.2-mile mark offers the iconic head-on perspective of both tiers. Eleven switchbacks carry hikers through Douglas fir and western red cedar, with occasional glimpses of the Columbia River Gorge through the canopy.

Visit in spring when snowmelt swells the flow to its thundering peak, or in winter when ice formations cling to the basalt walls. Summer brings massive crowds — arrive before 9 AM or after 5 PM to avoid the worst congestion. A timed-use parking permit is required May through September at the I-84 lot.