Wahkeena Falls: trail and access
Wahkeena Falls is a 242-foot tiered cascade in the Columbia River Gorge, a short, steep 0.2-mile walk from a free roadside pullout about a mile west of Multnomah Falls. Unlike Multnomah, Wahkeena has no permit system and no timed-entry lot, making it a no-reservation backup when the Multnomah Exit 31 permit slots are booked. Our waterfalls in Oregon guide covers it alongside the Gorge's better-known stops.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45.574°N, 122.127°W, Multnomah County, Oregon, per USGS GNIS (GNIS-1151809) |
| Height | 242 ft, a multi-tiered cascade rather than a single continuous drop |
| Nearest town | Corbett, Oregon |
| Access | Short, steep walk, 0.2 miles to the stone footbridge; longer trail options run 3.1 to 5.2 miles |
| Fee | None |
| Legal status | Public land, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area |
| Nearby | About a mile west of Multnomah Falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway |
Trail and access
Wahkeena Falls sits along the Historic Columbia River Highway roughly 13 miles east of Troutdale and about a mile west of Multnomah Falls, with free roadside parking at the base. A short, steep 0.2-mile walk leads to a stone footbridge crossing the main part of the falls, a barrel-arch span built in 1914 during the Historic Columbia River Highway's construction and paid for by lumberman Simon Benson, who donated the falls and 400 surrounding acres to Portland the following year. From the same trailhead, longer options continue uphill: a 3.1-mile out-and-back trail and a more demanding 5.2-mile loop that connects to neighboring falls in the Gorge.
Because Wahkeena has stayed outside the timed-permit system that covers Multnomah's main lot, it works as a reliable no-reservation stop even during the permit season (late May through early September) when Multnomah's Exit 31 lot requires advance booking.
The falls
Water falls 242 feet in a series of tiers and cascades rather than one continuous plunge, giving Wahkeena a different character from Multnomah's two clean drops next door. The name is an English rendering of a Native American word, reportedly Yakama, meaning "most beautiful." Lush fern and moss growth along the lower cascades adds to the draw for photographers, especially in the wetter months when flow is heaviest.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from U.S. Forest Service recreation data for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, USGS GNIS records and published trail reports. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Trail and access conditions change; verify current status before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Is there a fee to visit Wahkeena Falls?
No. Parking and the trail are free, with no permit or day-use fee required, unlike Multnomah Falls' main lot in summer.
How tall is Wahkeena Falls?
242 feet, dropping as a series of tiers and cascades rather than one continuous plunge.
How far is the walk to Wahkeena Falls?
About 0.2 miles to the stone footbridge at the base. Longer trail options run 3.1 to 5.2 miles for hikers who want more.
Do you need a permit for Wahkeena Falls?
No. Wahkeena has stayed outside the timed-entry permit system that applies to Multnomah Falls' main parking lot.
Is Wahkeena Falls close to Multnomah Falls?
Yes, about a mile west along the Historic Columbia River Highway, close enough to visit both in one stop.
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.