Well....this will be one of the easiest reviews for me to write. Waterfall Alley!!! This area is…read moresimply FANTASTIC! Situated along scenic 74 mile Columbia River Gorge...I'd say it's about a 7 - 9 mile stretch of nothing but majestically perfect waterfalls! Along my cross country road trip I had the Columbia River Gorge on my to-do list...but I never expected such a stretch of waterfalls! I was in awe! This area is as good as it gets!!! One of the best places I visited in the USA! And for those who'd like to come here...it's simple. Waterfall Alley is located about 25 miles away from Portland....right on the borders of Oregon and Washington. I actually spent 2 full days exploring along the Columbia River Gorge...yet all the action...all the highlights...all my best memories came from here at Waterfall Alley, bar none! Here's a list of my favorite waterfalls and how I'd rank them, lol... 1. Multnomah Falls is the main event. It's the 4th tallest waterfall in the United States with the Upper Falls measuring at 542 feet and the Lower Falls at 69 feet high. There's a bridge connecting the base of the upper falls to the peak of the lower falls....it's a photographer's paradise! Unfortunately during this summer of 2020 amidst the pandemic, the bridge was closed. My advice for exploring is to arrive FIRST THING IN THE MORNING or it gets real crowded, real quick. Then you'll have tourists interrupting your pictures. There's a giant parking lot right off the Columbia River Gorge. It's free to park and viewing Multnomah Falls is free as well. 2. Latourell Falls - the first major waterfall you'll come upon while driving the CRG. Parking can be tight here. It's a short short walk to the base of the falls. Latourell Falls is 269 feet high! I climbed on some rocks and sat down to grab superb photos of it's entirety with myself in the pictures. I was thrilled to be here! It genuinely set the tone for Waterfall Way. You can hike to the top of Latourell Falls but what good would that be looking down from high above? All you need are photos at the base...and you'll be in pure bliss, lol. 3. Horsetail Falls - right before Multnomah Falls, this Horsetail Falls is located literally right off the side of the road. You can see this 176 foot waterfall as you're driving. I found parking here to be quite difficult and had to wait till someone eventually moved. Horsetail Falls is so unique being close to the road and yet the 176 foot drop was extremely impressive! 4. Bridal Veil Falls - this was a quiet area of Waterfall Way. There were 2 short walking paths here and one of them brings you to Bridal Veil Falls - a double cascading waterfall. Although it's not one sheer drop...I still appreciated this. I guess I just got spoiled by all the wonderful surroundings along the CRG. Bridal Veil Falls is easily accessible and there's a viewing platform. But I stepped below the viewing overlook platform and got myself in a few photos with Bridal Veil Falls in the background. 5. Wahkeena Falls - close to Multnomah Falls. Parking here was almost impossible. Finally I discovered some grass off the road where I parked. For Wahkeena Falls, I had to hike up a trail a short distance (about 1/2 a mile). Upon arriving at what I thought was Wahkeena Falls, I was slightly disappointed by the appearance. It was one basic waterfall trickling down the canyon walls. I took a few pics and decided to hike higher...but never uncovered any significantly worthwhile views. Ultimately, I just walked back down the trail. Overall, this Waterfall Alley was simply spectacular! If you skipped driving the rest of the Columbia River Gorge and just witnessed these waterfalls (humbling in and of themselves)...it would still make for quite a fulfilling day trip. Lastly, these waterfalls were virtually all roadside stops. You barely have to navigate hard to arrive at any of them. This Pacific Northwest area of the country is hands down 5 stars!

I've chosen this listing, "Waterfall Alley," because that's what the trek feels like. This could…read morealso be commingled with the Columbia River National Scenic Area, but that includes more than just waterfalls. Also, while reviewed and photographed separately, Multnomah Falls is within Waterfall Alley, and is the highlight of this drive. Coming from the west, and presumably from Portland, it is best to get off at Corbett (exit 22) and wind up the road to the Vista House, following all the signs at about 2 or 3 forks in the road. The view over the Columbia River Gorge is gorge(ous), especially on a clear day and the "alley" to all the falls seemingly begins there. The day of the visit was not amenable to picture taking of the panorama. The falls along the way include Latourell, Wahkeena, Bridal Veil, Multnomah, the rippling waters through Oneonta Gorge, and Horsetail. They all have different personalities, with some having trails up to them and others being "that's all, folks." Regardless, this road is a collection of natural treasures and a must for anyone visiting the Portland area, because it gives a feel for the unspoiled natural wonders in this corner of the state, though they don't necessarily define the entire state. If I had to pick a Top 5 for logos of Oregon, they would be: (1) the Portland skyline with Mount Hood looming beyond, (2) Multnomah Falls, (3) Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, (4) Crater Lake, and (5) a meadow of Ponderosa type pine and mountains near Bend or Redmond, in Oregon's interior. So, there you have it, one of the five best Oregon highlights, and then some, are contained within this easy drive!

Bridal Veil Falls was the third waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, around 8:51 am,…read moreto the Bridal Veil state park. It has a decent size paved parking lot (with spots for 15 cars or so), with a lot of surrounding greenspace. It has two trails, one a self-contained one that provides views of the nearby highway. The second goes down, to a bridge that crosses the Falls. The park also has an indoor bathroom. To get to the falls, one must take the downward hike to the path on the right. I got as far as the bridge to see the stream, but didn't realize until later that I needed to go further to actually see the falls. Notes: -- 118 feet high -- named for the resemblance to the delicate veil of a bride

Bridal's Veil is another popular and adventurous waterfall in the Columbia scenic drive. There's a…read moreparking lot next to the road. This fall has the farthest trail walk from its parking. The trail is steep and through the trees. Not friendly for young kids. Since we had our 6 yo with us, we felt it was dangerous for her. So we abandoned the trail walk and looked around the surrounding near the lot.

Wahkeena Falls was the fourth waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, at 9:36 am. There…read moreis a parking paved angled parking lot with 20+ spots. One can then either take 10 steps or a handicamp ramp to get to a nice viewing spot. From that spot, one can climb a steep trail further to get closer to the falls. Notes: - named after the Yakama Indian word meaning "most beautiful". - 242 feet high

2nd time here. I drove by earlier in the day but it was so packed & couldn't find parking. A few…read morehours later, I drove by again after visiting all the other nearby falls, I was able to find parking & stopped off. Love that the parking lot is right near this fall so you don't have to walk far. Beautiful falls.

Beautiful place, paid I think it was $5 dollars and parked and went to the clothing optional area…read moregot naked and enjoyed nature absolutely loved it nobody there judges you and I got nice compliments as I'm a young guy 20 years old lol but man it's so pretty the trails are sandy and good on your bare feet so u don't really have to worry about wearing shoes I do recommend only for some areas the majority is sandy and soft though for the trails leading to the beach area obviously I can't post my naked pictures but god it's just heaven on earth you are surrounded by green tall grass and trees so very pretty :)

Rooster Rock State Park has some hiking trails and a gold course, but I come to hang on the…read morebeautiful river beaches. It's located in the Columbia Gorge, which is my happy place. Regarding the beaches, to the west are the family beaches and those that prefer to wear clothing. To the east are the clothing optional beaches. If you choose to go to the clothing optional, it's all good, no gawking, just people enjoying the beach and water in whatever way is comfortable for them. For me, that's a swimsuit. In the simmer when the river is low, the beaches are wider. And the water is surprisingly warm. Not tropical warm, but refreshing! Located just past Vista Point and before Multnomah Falls and the other 6 waterfalls along I-84, you can do all of this in one day. Or just spend the entire day at Rooster Rock enjoying walks, a swim, a picnic. Or do the hikes and waterfalls and come back here for a picnic and sunset. The fee for parking is $5 and you pay at the booth as you enter the park. Then you can continue driving and park anywhere, depending which side of the river you want to hang out on. There is plenty of parking but it does get crowded on hot days. If you are taking the shuttle to Multnomah Falls or other sites along the Scenic Highway, you pick it up here, after you pay and park. It's just 30 minutes from Portland so if you are looking for something different to do, that doesn't really cost anything, and you enjoy nature, chilling in a beach or grass and picnicking, it's a nice spot.

I've visited Multnomah Falls several times over the years, and it's always been so gorgeous. It's…read moreso popular that at peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) permits are needed to park at the parking lot so that its not overrun with queuing cars into the highway. However, this system still has drawbacks since a timed use permit reservation does not guarantee parking as visitors can stay as long as they would like (even the entire day) and take up a parking spot. Anyway, once you park, there's an underground tunnel walkway that takes you under the highway to the side with the falls. There are a lot of fish in the river so be sure to take your time and watch out for them. The information center has good information about the geology, flora and fauna of the area. It also gives information about trail closures. There's also a small gift shop and restaurant nearby, as well as a small coffee stand outside. The washrooms are under renovation, so there's a huge group of port-a-potties out in front. I did the hike all the way up to the falls, although I think the viewpoints from the bottom are actually the best. The trail is a bit washed out in some areas, so practice some caution walking up.

I come here every time I visit Portland. This time. I was able to do a 5-mile loop hike from…read moreWahkeena falls. That's where you can find free parking, although the spots are limited. There were so many waterfalls along the way. It's nice views from the top of the fall. The parking at Multnomah could be a nightmare during business hours. That's why I visited this place either early morning or later in the afternoon. I visited the store and got a few items right before closing. It's a typical souvenir shop.

So glad we stopped here! Parking is $10 and the switchbacks go on and on but 100% worth it! Enjoy…read morethe views along the way and the engineering feat to creating the switchbacks. Don't rush to the top so many wonderful overlooks along the way that are even better than the top. Dog friendly but slightly tricky with the narrow sidewalks.

Spectacular view! My husband and I love this short steep hike.. It's a mile each way..Breathtaking!read more

What a great little place for hiking! I would call it more of a nature walk rather than a hike, but…read morethat's what makes it great for small kids or those in wheelchairs. There are two short trails that are less than a mile each. The Streamwatch Trail takes you along the water and even has a little underwater fish viewing area. There weren't any fish in March, but it must be pretty cool to watch the fish underwater during busier seasons. The Wetlands Trail takes you along a wooden boardwalk to literally go through a wetland area. Most of these trails are stroller/wheelchair friendly, but there are some parts that are on dirt and gravel, which may be a little trickier. There are also a lot of picnic tables along the Streamwatch trail, which would be perfect in warmer weather.

Been meaning to stop by and see what Wildwood has to offer, and finally did last weekend…read more Clearly they have loads to offer in the other seasons, but it's still peaceful and offers up a decent stroll or hike in winter. We took both the Wetlands and Streamwatch trails. You've got to be verrry careful right now on the oh-so slippery boardwalks of the Wetlands. It was very icy throughout the entire trail. The Streamwatch trail winds you through picnic areas, along the river, and by the underwater viewing area. We drove around past other trails and over to the family meadow and picnic area. Plenty of parking and the restrooms that were open were clean. There were a few structures and trail aspects that needed some tending to, but overall it's a lovely recreation area...peaceful now but probably loads of fun for families in the springtime!

Shepperd's Dell was the second waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, around 8:40 am…read more One can park on turnouts on either side of the, with spots for at most 4 cars at a time. It is viewable from the road, with a closer view accessible via a short path with railings leading downward. Once at the bottom, one can climb a bit upwards following the path of the falls. My wife stayed back and took a nice picture far off picture. Notes: -- 46 feet high -- named for George Shepperd, a local dairy farmer who originally owned the land.

Shepard's Dell is a smaller waterfall in the Columbia scenic driveway. It is next to bridge and a…read morestairway walks down to the trail. There are no parking lot near this fall. Most people park on the side of the road for a quick photo op or park at Bridal's Veil lot and walk. The fall itself is cute. The water comes to an acute point then spread out. It is much calmer than the larger falls in the area.

Great little park with river access. You do have to pay a small fee. Plenty of picnic tables and…read moreplaces to set up for the day while enjoying the river.

This is a fantastic beautiful park along Eagle Creek! With that said, the only negative was the $8…read moreday-use fee. Other parks with day-use fees around Portland currently usually charge $5, but they do have an annual pass you can get for a certain group of parks if you plan on visiting them regularly. There is a restroom (not just a porta-potty, but an actual restroom. Yay!), a playground, baseball diamond, and lots of picnic tables. Some of the picnic tables have in-ground charcoal BBQ pits, too. They also have a picnic shelter you can pay to reserve. For hiking, they have a few different trails to choose from and all were very well-maintained when we visited. One of the trails is even accessible for folks with mobility issues, all flat and wide. The park & trails have plenty of huge trees for shade, and the big main trail goes along the creek in several places. There are even a few spots where you can hang out right along the creek shore. Aside from the easy accessible trail, I'd say the other trails are mild to medium in difficulty just due to some of the hilly inclines, but we saw families with younger kids walking them without a problem.