Sight · Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
A quick bridge-and-falls stop, with steps down to the creek.
Overview
Shepperd’s Dell is a two-tier waterfall on Youngs Creek, dropping through steep basalt below the Historic Columbia River Highway. A graceful arched stone bridge crosses the gorge beside the cascade, making the falls and the old road a single stop.
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this place
Shepperd's Dell Falls“You're nearing Shepperd's Dell, where Youngs Creek drops through basalt beside an arched stone highway bridge.”
Plays as you drive up to Shepperd’s Dell Falls in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
You can hear the water from the bridge; to see the falls, follow the paved path at its east end. It’s about 0.2 miles round trip, with stairs cut into the cliff down to the base. The close view breaks the cascade into several drops. Look for the hourglass-shaped fall above the bridge and two smaller drops below; the arch and falling water make the defining photo here.
The bridge dates to 1914, part of the Historic Columbia River Highway. In 1915, George Shepperd gave the land to Portland as a memorial to his wife, Mattie; it later passed to Oregon. It’s a compact stop that links the gorge’s waterfall scenery with the history of the road.
Day use is year-round. Parking is roadside on either side of Highway 30, and available space is limited. There is no restroom at the trailhead. Expect stairs rather than a step-free route, and keep dogs leashed.
Wildlife
267 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
51 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
136 sightingsAmerican PikaMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
16 sightingsWapitiMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
195 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
74 sightingsChinook SalmonMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Columbia River Gorge. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateBridal Veil Falls Trail0.6 mi · 45 min · 0.9 mi awayA two-tier waterfall waits beyond ninety steps and a shady creek.
EasyBridal Veil Overlook Loop Trail0.3 mi · 20 min · 0.9 mi awayA brief paved loop for river cliffs and basalt landmarks.
ModerateLatourell Falls Loop2 mi · 1.5 hr · 1.1 mi awayFollow Latourell Creek to two waterfalls and a hidden upper drop.
ModerateAngel's Rest Trail4.8 mi · 3.5 hr · 1.5 mi awayA steep climb to a rocky bluff above the Columbia Gorge.
ChallengingAngel's Rest to Devil's Rest Loop10.7 mi · 7.5 hr · 1.5 mi awayA long Gorge loop from river views to a quieter forest summit.
ChallengingCape Horn Loop Trail6.5 mi · 4.5 hr · 3.1 mi awayWaterfalls and river views reward a steep, varied Gorge loop.
ModerateWahkeena Falls Trail to Lemmons Viewpoint1.5 mi · 1.5 hr · 3.9 mi awayA stone bridge, plunging falls, and a Gorge overlook on one climb.
ChallengingDevil's Rest Trail6.7 mi · 5.3 hr · 3.9 mi awayWaterfalls and Gorge views arrive before the shaded summit.
Sight · 0.9 mi awayBridal Veil FallsA steep falls trail and an easy bluff loop share one stop.
Sight · 1.2 mi awayLatourell FallsA paved walk reaches the lichen-bright plunge; loops climb to upper falls.
Sight · 1.9 mi awayRooster Rock State ParkThree miles of river access, with a separate clothing-optional beach.
Sight · 2.3 mi awayVista House at Crown PointA 1918 sandstone observatory above a sweeping river gorge view.
Sight · 2.4 mi awayNancy Russell Cape Horn OverlookA stone-walled Gorge perch at the end of a steep trail.
Sight · 3.2 mi awayPortland Women’s Forum State Scenic ViewpointThe classic roadside frame for Vista House at Crown Point.
Sight · 3.9 mi awayFairy FallsA fan-shaped creek waterfall with a bench beside the trail.
Sight · 3.9 mi awayWahkeena FallsA 242-foot cascade with a stone bridge at its foot.Parkwolf’s Columbia River Gorge ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
