Wahkeena Falls was such a great surprise. We made a quick stop here on our way to Multnomah Falls, and I'm so glad we did -- it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The falls are powerful and beautiful, surrounded by lush greenery and mossy cliffs, and the mirrors were amazing, making the whole place feel extra magical. The short walk to the lower viewing area is easy and accessible, but if you want more, the trail continues uphill and offers even better views and a peaceful forest hike. It's also much less crowded than Multnomah Falls, which made the experience even better. Tips: Parking is limited, so try to go early. The trail can be slippery from the mist, so good shoes are a must. Highly recommend stopping here if you're exploring the Gorge -- especially as a stop before or after Multnomah Falls. read more

See all

Wahkeena Falls was the fourth waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, at 9:36 am. There is 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 read more

See all

2nd time here. I drove by earlier in the day but it was so packed & couldn't find parking. A few hours 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. read more

See all

Absolutely gorgeous area. Very peaceful and beautiful. Totally enjoyed this tour. Husband picked this because he knows that I love waterfalls. So happy with his choice for this vacation. Love the foliage with such vibrant colors. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Portion of several falls - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

Beautiful place to visit. A smaller fall but still a nice sight to see to take pictures. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

See all

A short hike up a couple of switchbacks takes you to the top where you can see Wahkeena Falls. There's a bridge that you stand on to see the waterfall. The view is nice and you can feel the mist from the waterfall. There's natural cool air which is perfect on a hot and humid day. Check it out. read more

See all

Please don't leave valuables in your car. I cleaned up so much glass during the few days that I volunteered here. Also please DO NOT stand in the parking lot and put valuables in your trunk. You should assume thieves are watching you-- they can see you from Benson State Park. They'll break your windows and pop the trunk. Instead, do these things somewhere else, and come to the parking area prepared to quickly exit your vehicle. That being said, this is a really pretty day use area. If you want to have a picnic in the Columbia River Gorge without paying a day use fee, this is one of the best places to do so. Wahkeena Falls itself is almost as tall as Multnomah, but a bit more difficult to hike. The hike from Wahkeena to Multnomah is less than half a mile. There is a trail on the same side of the road as the waterfall that takes you over a small hill. Walking on the road is not allowed. The Wahkeena Day Use area is across the street from the waterfall. The locked day use area and restrooms are open daily from 8am to 8pm. Several charcoal grills are available. There are lots of picnic tables, some of which are covered, all with a great view of the waterfall. Wood burning is not permitted. Pets are allowed on leashes, and doggie bags are usually available. Parking here is completely free and you do not need reservations. On a busy day it can fill up by 9am, but people constantly come and go. A lot of people choose to park here while taking the waterfall trolley. There is no camping here except for Forest Service volunteers. That being said, a lot of people choose to sleep in their vans in the upper lot. Sleeping in your van along highway 30 is generally permitted as long as you are in an approved parking area and are not causing any kind of nuisance. Please don't allow your children to move rocks in the stream as this is a sensitive area for salmon spawning. read more

The best thing about Wahkeena Falls is you don't have to hike far for the payoff. The best part of the waterfall is only about 0.2 miles from the parking lot -- great for out-of-shape, lazy people like me who don't like hiking. Haha. But seriously, this place is absolutely beautiful. Like other great places in nature, most pictures, videos, and words do not do this place justice. You have to see and experience it for yourself in person. It's worth it, even just for the main part of the falls at the bottom. Note: There's another Yelp listing for the Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wahkeena-falls-loop-trail-troutdale My review here is for both Wahkeena Falls and the Multnomah-Wahkeena Trail Loop, based on the segment of the trail that we hiked. Wahkeena Falls is located just down the highway (Historic Columbia River Hwy) from the more popular, touristy, and congested Multnomah Falls. It's a great alternative if you want to avoid the crowds at Multnomah. We visited Wahkeena on a Friday from around 11am to 1pm. At that time, several parking spots were available in the free public lot on the north side of the highway. However, by the time we left, most of the spots were taken. Someone waited for our spot as we loaded into our car to leave. I have to give a shout-out to the employee who directed traffic and answered people's questions as they drove by. He was very friendly and helpful. I wish I'd gotten his name so I could mention it here. According to the maps posted on the signs along the trail, I think we hiked over 1.1 miles past Lemmons Viewpoint and Fairy Falls. Fairy Falls' elevation is 960 feet and Wahkeena Falls' elevation is 560 feet. Therefore, we hiked more than 400 feet upwards in elevation. I say "more than" because it was also a hike up from the parking lot to the entrance (base) and from the entrance to Wahkeena Falls. Hiking over a mile with that elevation change was a workout for this sedentary 42-year-old. Bring water and snacks. We hiked on a mostly sunny day. The views were incredible, not only looking north towards Hartman Pond, Benson Lake, the Columbia River, and Washington state, but along the trail itself. The undisturbed terrain, valleys and sharp inclines, trees, streams, moss, plants, the way the light shined through, there's nothing else like it. I felt like I was in a painting or a movie or a video game. Breathtaking, really. If you're not into hiking and/or have small kids or elderly people with you, hiking to Wahkeena Falls from the parking lot is short and easy enough. I recommend it. A porta-john was located at the base of the trail on/near the sidewalk. That was the only restroom I saw. Wahkeena Falls is situated about 30 miles east of Portland, Oregon. It typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes to drive to the falls from the city. Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, and the Multnomah-Wahkeena Trail Loop are part of the larger Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: https://www.yelp.com/biz/columbia-river-gorge-national-scenic-area-hood-river read more

See all

Only about 18 parking spaces on either side of the scenic highway. .2 miles to the beautiful falls. Come early for parking. read more

See all

Ha! We came in so unprepared but GOD! Had to be divine intervention to get us through that approximately 5 mile hike. We hiked the multnomah wahkeena loop and saw 6 waterfalls. Definitely beautiful sites but ooooohh we experienced all the nature. We got rain, hail, heat, poison ivy, mud, rocks, and possible cougar sighting (we did not encounter any animal life). It's nice to look back at the pictures but it was an experience for sure. Would I do it again, yes! But I'd be more prepared for the rain bc hiking wet and cold is miserable. I thinking hiking the loop is a better experience than just climbing up to see the Wahkeena or Multnomah waterfall. This loop is very memorable. There are 2 parking lots. Probably better to get there by 10 am. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

The parking lot for Wahkeena Falls was full on a Saturday afternoon. We ended up hiking from Multnomah Falls Lodge Visitor Center, which is about a half mile trail to Wahkeena Falls. This walk wasn't too bad. Note, we did encounter a couple snakes along the way. Totally worth it. Not as touristy as Multnomah nearby, but clearly still quite popular based on the crowds we saw this past Saturday, at least on the lower level. Fairy Falls was about a mile out but felt like two due to the incline, and of course there's also the hike back. But on the way up, Lemmons Viewpoint offered absolutely stunning views of the Columbia River and endless mountains and trees. That alone was rewarding. But we pushed further to even higher elevation, and in the end we felt tired but accomplished. read more

See all

For those seeking a hike away from the crowds, especially the tourist laden Multnomah Falls, start at Wahkeena Falls. Located about a half mile west of Multnomah Falls and after Bridal Veil Falls, this 4.9 mile hike will take you past several smaller waterfalls and a water pool. You can follow the trail to hike over to Multnomah Falls arriving at the top, then hike down. For those who just want to see the part of the waterfall closest to the road, that would be me, you just need to park and walk a very short distance. Currently I'm injured and using a cane and I was able to walk up the ADA path, rather than the stairs, and take in the scene. While there (mid May) I saw a variety of unique spring wildflowers along the lower trail. It is not as large or dramatic as Horsetail Falls or Shepperd's Dell, but it is still beautiful and peaceful. If you are out chasing the waterfalls along the Old Historic Highway, make sure to stop and check out Wahkeena Falls. There is a decent sized parking lot across the street and some parking in a small lot right in front. You can also do the park and ride on the Sasquatch Shuttle. read more

See all

Breathtaking. Amazing. We loved it Recommend a visit here and the neighboring water falls.

The locals are going to hate me for this review because I am revealing secrets, but Wahkeena Falls is a hidden gem. It's located about a half mile from the touristy Multnomah Falls, but it is the much better gem IMO. There are few options to get to Wahkeena. You can drive and park in the lot, you can hike there by following the trail that takes you to the top of Multnomah Falls, and you can also take a much shorter, direct trail that runs parallel to the roadway. I saw a lot of people stop by the waterfall and only view the it from the surface level viewing location. Don't make that mistake. There is a much better location that puts you directly in front of the waterfall and its only a .2 mile hike up the path. You'll be so close the mist will cool you down. Once there, I also recommend you keep following the trail to Fairy Falls...you won't regret it! read more

Didn't finish the full Hike due to not having good enough shoes for the rain haha but was a nice hike up to the first lookout read more

We happened upon this fall on our drive today. Such a beautiful and peaceful spot. We enjoyed the hike to the bridge part way up. Truly a magical spot. read more

See all

We came here when it was really gloomy and rainy. Duh! lol so we didn't end up hiking up the trail at all as it was pouring and windy and my 2 year old is not used to weather like that. All of us enjoyed seeing the waterfall and taking pictures. The parking here is not plentiful. Luckily, right when we drove up we saw someone leaving so we were able to park right away otherwise we might've had to keep looping through the parking strip and the maid road which could be a little overwhelming. Would definitely come back here and visit on a drier day to take the hike up. Hope we get the opportunity to do so in the future. read more

This was a nice surprise to discover while on our way to Multnomah Falls. This waterfall is just a few minutes before, and is much less crowded with an easy parking lot across the street. Wahkeena Falls is much smaller in scale, but is such an easy sight to stop and see that you might as well do it. It's especially impressive to someone like me who doesn't get to see waterfalls often. I also found it very relaxing to stand nearby and hear the sounds of the water flowing. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

Wahkeena Falls is a Beautiful little waterfall in Oregon!! Multnomah Falls was the reason we came to the area, but Wahkeena Falls turned out to be an awesome bonus!! We came upon this falls on our way to Multnomah. Saw some available parking so we stopped to check it out. It is a short easy walk up to Wahkeena Falls from the parking area. Well worth the bit of exercise!!! If you want to get more exercise, then you can walk to Multnomah Falls from here. The walk is less than a mile so it is a good way to burn some calories. The family and I thought the visit to Wahkeena Falls was a nice treat before seeing the Magnificent Multnomah Falls. read more

The Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail is what you need in these summer days. 5.1 mile loop with a bit of up up up (it's in the Gorge, after all). But you'll be rewarded with not one, not two, not three stunning waterfalls, but SIX as well as other lesser cascades and smaller falls. You've got choices, but let me make the first one for you. Go early. 7am. No later than 8am. If you go after 9am you'll need a waterfall corridor permit which you can get online with a $2 fee. Avoid that and the crowds, 7am. Next choice: start at Wahkeena or Multnomah? I'd say, start at Wahkeena but go clockwise and trek over to Multnomah and start up from there. That way you finish in the less crowded area. Unless you want to have to swim through all those tourists at the foot of Multnomah after you've just hiked 5 miles. You do you. Either way, though, it's so beautiful. I especially love Weisendanger Falls and the Dutchman Tunnel. Stay awhile and play in the water, it's gorgeous and feels great. Right now in late July there aren't as many flowers, but we had an exceptionally wet spring so everything is still green and lush. If you're in a hurry, Wahkeena and Multnomah are both what I call "commuter" waterfalls. You can see them just a few short steps from the parking lot. Do make the stop - totally worth it. But if you can, hike in and enjoy the other falls. You'll be glad you did. read more

See all

Beautiful moderately easy hike that is somewhat paved along the initial portions. Numerous waterfalls, including one practically at the trailhead. This is a hike that I would take repeatedly. At a minimum, hike at least to Fairy Falls (about 1.5 mi). Park either at the trailhead, the adjacent Benson Lake park, or even at Multnomah Falls (there is a short connector trail. Highly recommend read more

Wahkeena Falls was probably my least favorite of all the waterfalls situated here along the Columbia River Gorge. That's not to say it's not worthwhile to visit. I'm just mentioning that this Waterfall Alley is absolutely magnificent and that compared to all the others out there....(you probably know which ones I'm talking about) it's just okay in appearance. Wahkeena Falls is located a 1/2 mile away from famed Multnomah Falls. The parking lot area here is tiny...virtually no spots available. So...I actually drove away from Wahkeena Falls going west and found a grassy spot along the road's shoulder to park and then walked back here to the trailhead. Yes, I said trailhead. But it's not really a hike to arrive at Wahkeena Falls. It's a simple 0.2 mile trek up the hill. Upon arriving at Wahkeena Falls...my first impression in my head was..."Is this it? Is there more to it? Um, I guess this waterfall is alright". Yeah I give quite the details in my reviews, lol. In my best way to describe Wahkeena Falls, it was just your basic cascading waterfall down the side of the cliff-faced wall. It was decent. But after witnessing some of the wonders like Latourell Falls and Horsetail Falls, this one certainly paled in comparison. But still, I grabbed a few photos of Wahkeena Falls before heading back down the 0.2 mile path. Well, actually, you can climb further higher as the trail continued towards Larch Mountain. So I figured...maybe there would be better opportunities for more worthwhile appearances of Wahkeena Falls? Unfortunately the higher I climbed I never discovered that picturesque moment I was searching for. So then I trekked back down to the parking lot area. I guess just, Wahkeena Falls was a little bit of a letdown overall. Still, it was nice to sort of "check-off" another waterfall explored along my Columbia River Gorge journey. Wahkeena is not the most scenic, but since it's so accessible right off the road...it can't hurt to make some time to visit it. read more

Beautiful waterfall! I've only stopped at 3 waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge because finding parking is BANANAS!!! I came to visit on a Monday afternoon and there were so many people, kids, dogs and no parking. I had my little dog with me and couldn't tell from the website if dogs were allowed on the shuttle bus so we took our chance and drove to the gorge. There are multiple little waterfalls at this location and definitely picture worthy. No bathrooms at this location, but you can continue hiking to a bridge for a closer look at the waterfall near the top. I saw a lot of people hiking up, but I wore sandals and didn't want to risk it. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

Wahkeena Falls is a nice stop off to admire before you reach Multnomah Falls. Unfortunately, the trail leading closer to the falls was closed due to rockslides and fire damage. We could only view these falls from afar, and it flowed into a long stream near the bottom. It was lovely but definitely not as exciting as the other waterfalls that we encountered along the Columbia River Highway. We actually Explored Multnomah Falls first and then took the short hike over to Wahkeena Falls. However, I would recommend coming to Wahkeena Falls first so that you can build up to Multnomah Falls at the end. You can also hike from Wahkeena to Multnomah and back which will help when it comes to the parking situation since it gets crowded fast. If you're coming during the spring, make sure that you wear thick hiking boots/shoes and a raincoat or poncho because it will probably be raining the entire time and you'll get muddy and soaked. You should also bring gloves because your hands will be freezing! I know that this doesn't sound ideal, but the spring time is a good time to come if you want to avoid the crowds and if you're looking to see the falls flourishing with water. The only downside is that many of the trails may be closed, so maybe late spring would work best. I think I would have enjoyed Wahkeena Falls more if the trail wasn't closed and I was able to actually hike it to the top. All in all, it's still a great waterfall, but I'd recommend visiting Bridal Veil, Latourell, or Horsetail Falls before considering this one. read more

See all

I diminutive version Multnomah Falls a quarter mile down the road. It is a good spot to park as the other lot tends to get very full. Unfortunately when I was there a woman had her car broken into and someone stole her bag. read more

This is a really nice spot and definitely worth stopping at. Yes, it's not as grand as its neighbor but it is still a beautiful place and should be checked out. The walk up to the falls is a small switchback trail that goes along the edge of the hill at times. I am sure it's fine in the summer but we came in February and it was a bit icy and precarious in spots. Of course, we didn't have boots on, not realizing there would be ice and snow on the path, so that's our fault. It's a short walk to the base of the falls. There's a small parking lot at the bottom and a nice little picnic area/park farther down below with more parking. It's very close to Multnomah Falls - you could walk on the short walk a trail to get over to it. read more

Amazing Falls that is not as big as the Multnomah Falls but just amazing. Smaller parking then Multnomah Falls but just right for the amount of people that will be visiting. I will say be careful in what valuables you leave in your car, I saw broken glass, very easy for someone enjoying the falls and someone just trying to see what they can snatch and grab. read more

This is a pretty easy hike also, there is a more incline when you hike than other waterfalls but still easy enough. I say it takes about 15-20 minutes to get to the top of the waterfall and it gets pretty slippery on the top, so be careful. The parking is a little smaller so getting a spot might be a little harder! read more

See all

Lovely smaller falls but on the day I went the burbling brook did it for me. It was lush and green and perfect when I was there in June. Parking is along the road so if you're driving a doublewide you might not fit. Remember to pull off enough so as to not block the road. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

See all

3 1/2 stars. While it's not a huge waterfall like its neighbors along the Columbia River Gorge, Wahkeena Falls is still a fun spot to visit as you can stand next to the falls. After an uphill, 0.2-mile walk, you can cool off from the waterfall's spraying mist. This "hike" is more of a 15-20 minute uphill walk and the road is paved to make it accessible for anyone. GETTING THERE: Wahkeena Falls is about a 35-minute drive from Portland. THINGS TO KNOW: Parking is very limited, but don't fret as this waterfall doesn't attract large crowds of visitors like its neighbor, Multnomah. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

See all

Hiked the Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop over President's Day weekend. The waterfall is not as grand as Multnomah Falls but still worth seeing! The trail was completely covered in snow and we had to rely on the footprints left behind to know where the trail was. At some points, there was so much snow covering the trail that we were scaling the side of the mountain, definitely more challenging than we had anticipated! As we gained more elevation, it started to snow and it was truly breathtaking! Easily one of the best hikes I've done so far! If you're going during the snow season, I definitely recommend bringing gloves, waterproof hiking boots, and trekking poles! read more

Wahkeena Falls - It was snowing during our hike! - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

Absolutely gorgeous and one of my favorite places to come to in Portland! I would love to come back again someday when I visit. This was a smaller part of the hike that we did, but it was next to another hike Multnomah Falls! It was beautiful, so green and wonderful! Easy to breath! Nice easy hiking trails for the most part! I would love to come here on the weekly basis, but since I live in California I won't be able to visit again for a while. The water is so beautiful running down the rocks. Parking is limited, but if you come early enough there will definitely be enough parking spaces around the hiking trail. I highly recommend coming here if you visit Portland! :) read more

See all

If you want to avoid the parking hassle at Multnomah Falls (come before 11 AM because the Wahkeena Falls parking lot does get packed), then you can just park at Wahkeena Falls and follow the 0.5-mile Return Trail (unpaved trail with slightly rocky terrain, minor gradient, and no rail guards - relatively an easy hike, but not a kid & elder friendly trail). The water at Wahkeena Falls isn't falling as ferociously as Latourell Falls and Wahkeena Falls doesn't have the magnificent feel you get from Multnomah Falls. Generally speaking, this fall has a very mellow & poetic feel. There are few different trails to try at the Wahkeena Trailhead (4.9-mile Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike, 1.4-mile round trip to Lemmon's Viewpoint, or 2.8-mile one way to Larch Mountain-Wahkeena Trail Junction). The walk to the base of Wahkeena Falls is 0.2 miles. read more

See all

Visiting from out of town and was not disappointed. It was beautiful and peaceful walking through the trees and coming to the waterfall. There is also an area to grill or you can bring a bite to eat at the picnic area. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Enjoying nature - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

I definitely recommend the stop to see this. The falls are breathtaking and easy to see. There is a paved walkway to a platform where you can see the full glory of the falls. Easy to get to. If you are adventurous you can take various hikes to go up further. They are also paved by there are some steps and somewhat steep inclines. The short hike to the viewing bridge is well worth it. You can see the upper falls more closely but also see the lower falls more closely too. It's a great stop to take in beauty. At the bottom there is a shop, coffee place, and restaurant read more

See all

Came here on a weekday, went up to Wahkeena Falls and onward to Angel's Rest. Wahkeena Falls was pretty, not too steep to get there. Parking lot was somewhat small but fine to find parking on a weekday. read more

It's been close to ten years ago, but I don't think I'll ever forget my trip to Wahkeena Falls. This beautiful place is located in Troutdale, right at the opening of the Columbia Gorge. My friend, Cari, was kind enough to drive. Once we reached the falls, we hiked to the head of the falls, and took our tennis shoes off and hiked back down through ice cold water. It was delicious as it was a near 100-degree day in August. It was kind of hard to leave that, but we left to head on up to Maryhill Museum, another spectacular location further up the Gorge. Please come and visit this wonderful location. read more

COME HERE. It's beautiful, magical, and creates a moment of pure bliss. The waterfall is absolutely stunning and it's mist is rather comforting. The road leading up to it is pretty impacted so make sure to get there early. They also have picnic tables near the parking area, so bring some food and enjoy the nature! This hike also leads to 2 viewpoints (from my personal experience). One overlooking the lake and mountains, and the second one leads to Fairy Falls. Fairy Falls is my absolute favorite, very dreamy and beautiful. read more

Wahkeena Falls - Stunning waterfall! - Parks Near Me - Troutdale, Oregon

A tranquil sight in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. It doesn't draw crowds like Multnomah&Bridal Veil, but it's worth the time and the effort. It has a small parking lot, not much in terms of amenities, but it makes up for that with beautiful sights in an ancient forest. On hot summer days, it's a cool place to be (figuratively and literally) One can chill while watching the water, in the depths of the woods. It's off the popular Columbia River Gorge Historic Highway, but it feels far from civilization. It's got a longer hike than other waterfalls, it's uphill, it's worth the effort. Yes, you can go chasing waterfalls. read more

Nestled between more dramatic water falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway is cascading Wahkeena Falls. It's really an ok series of falls that don't make it a "must-stop" waterfall on your waterfall tour, but does make it a "why-not" waterfall stop. You'll find Wahkeena Falls just a half mile from famous Multnomah Falls to the east and 3.5 miles from Bridal Veil Falls to the west. A short quarter-mile hike from the parking lot to a stone bridge that crosses the falls will satisfy most tourists. Keep going along a relatively easy half-mile hike from Wahkeena to Multnomah Falls if you are looking for some exercise between falls ... or if you just can't find parking at the ever-popular Multnomah. Wahkeena derives its name from a similar word meaning "most beautiful" from the Yakama Native American Tribe in Washington. Honestly, I think Horsetail, Latourell, and Multnomah are more beautiful, so, perhaps somebody should find out the Yakama name for just "beautiful." read more

See all