Multnomah Falls Trail to the Top

This is a 2.4-mile out-and-back from Multnomah Falls Lodge to the wooden overlook above the upper tier, then back down the same way. The 2.4 miles is the whole trip there and back, not just the climb. Plan around 1.5–2 hours, with time to pause at the bridge and viewpoints. Published elevation-gain estimates range from about 600 to 870 feet, but every account agrees the climb above the bridge is steep. Choose this route if you want the falls at eye level, then directly beneath you at the upper lip; the lower viewing area is a much shorter visit.

The route starts beside the historic lodge and visitor center. A gently sloped paved path reaches Benson Bridge in roughly 0.2 mile, passing under a rock net; seasonal Shady Creek Falls spills down a cliff nearby when it is flowing. Benson Bridge crosses between Multnomah’s tiers over the splash pool. This lower approach is the easiest portion, though a short flight of steps interrupts the step-free path, and crowds often gather at the bridge.

Beyond Benson Bridge, stay on the steep paved trail as it climbs 11 switchbacks. The path hugs the slope; posts linked with cable protect the drop-offs. A bench at a falls viewpoint gives you a reason to pause, and the turns gradually open Columbia River views. Expect the upper mile to feel like work: it gains height continuously, and the same exposed stretch can feel much longer in a crowd.

At the ridge, follow the signed right turn onto #441A. Two short switchbacks drop to a wooden platform at the lip of the upper falls. The deck looks down toward the lodge and the plunge, with the pool and dark columnar basalt close beside it; stay on the platform, behind its barriers. The upper tier falls 542 feet, with a smaller 10-foot drop into a shaded basalt bowl above it. The full waterfall measures 620 feet across its tiers. Six Grande Ronde Basalt flows show in the cliff, preserving more than 400,000 years of volcanic history.

The falls usually run strongest in winter and spring; cold snaps can wrap the water in ice. From below, the classic view includes both main tiers and Benson Bridge; from the deck, look down toward the pool for a completely different angle. The bridge and lower view are a good stopping point if the full climb is more than you want.

The free public lot at I-84 Exit 31 is the most straightforward start; it is large, but fills early, and the entrance closes when full. A short paved walk connects it to the lodge. The smaller lot beside the lodge is privately operated and paid. From late May through early September, arriving at the I-84 lot between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. requires a timed-use permit; getting a permit does not guarantee a space. The lodge has a visitor center, snack bar, gift shop and an upper-level restaurant at the trailhead, useful before or after the climb. Dogs are allowed on leash. The whole waterfall area is among the Gorge’s busiest stops, so an early or late arrival is the better bet for breathing room.