Latourell Falls: trail, fees and access
Latourell Falls plunges 224 feet over a wall of columnar basalt in Guy W. Talbot State Park, usually the first waterfall travelers see along the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Portland. A short paved walk from the parking area gives the main view; a longer 2.1-mile loop trail climbs above the falls for a second vantage point. Oregon State Parks added a day-use parking fee here in March 2026: $10 for Oregon plates, $12 out of state. It opens the Columbia Gorge section of our waterfalls in Oregon guide.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45.537°N, 122.218°W, Multnomah County, Oregon, per USGS GNIS (GNIS-1144859) |
| Height | 224 ft, a single drop, per Oregon State Parks' current rangefinder measurement (older maps and some guides still list 249 ft) |
| Nearest town | Corbett, Oregon |
| Access | Short paved walk, about 0.1 miles to the base view; a 2.1-mile loop trail climbs to Upper Latourell Falls |
| Fee | Oregon State Parks day-use fee, $10 (Oregon plates) / $12 (out of state), added March 30, 2026 |
| Legal status | Public land, Guy W. Talbot State Park, Oregon State Parks |
| Season | Open year-round; flow is heaviest in winter and spring |
Trail and access
Latourell Falls sits within Guy W. Talbot State Park on the Historic Columbia River Highway, a short drive east of Portland and usually the first named waterfall travelers reach heading toward Multnomah Falls. A short, mostly flat paved path from the parking area reaches the base of the falls in about a tenth of a mile, close enough for the classic view without any real climbing. For a longer outing, a 2.1-mile loop trail climbs above the lower falls to Upper Latourell Falls, a two-tiered drop with a block fall into a plunge pool, rated moderately challenging and taking most hikers a little over an hour.
Oregon State Parks began charging a day-use parking fee here on March 30, 2026, as part of a broader rollout across more than 20 parks that spring (Oregon State Parks, parking fee announcement). The fee is separate from the timed-use permit that applies specifically to Multnomah Falls' main lot down the highway.
The falls
A single 224-foot drop pours over a broad wall of columnar basalt, among the best-exposed formations in the Gorge, with a patch of bright yellow lichen coloring the cliff face beside the falling water. Older trail guides and some maps still cite 249 feet for Latourell; Oregon State Parks' current rangefinder measurement puts it at 224 feet, and that's the figure this guide uses. The falls and the small community of Latourell nearby both take their name from Joseph "Frenchy" Latourell, an early settler; the land itself was a summer estate for the Talbot family until they donated it to the state in 1929.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from Oregon State Parks' official park information and fee announcements, USGS GNIS records and published trail reports. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Fees and access rules change; verify current requirements with Oregon State Parks before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Is there a fee to visit Latourell Falls?
Yes. Oregon State Parks added a day-use parking fee on March 30, 2026: $10 for Oregon plates, $12 for out-of-state vehicles.
How tall is Latourell Falls?
224 feet, per Oregon State Parks' current measurement. Older sources sometimes cite 249 feet, an earlier map estimate since corrected.
How far is the walk to Latourell Falls?
About 0.1 miles from the parking area to the base view on a paved path. The full loop to Upper Latourell Falls runs 2.1 miles.
Is Latourell Falls the same fee as Multnomah Falls?
No. Multnomah's $2 charge is a separate timed-use parking permit for its Exit 31 lot in summer; Latourell's fee is Oregon State Parks' standard day-use parking charge.
Can you walk behind Latourell Falls?
No, not at the main lower falls. The paved path leads to a base viewpoint rather than behind the water.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked August 2026. Read our full methodology.