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The Columbia River Gorge is an incredibly accessible location for hiking if you are in the Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington area. The area is massive and with short time, there is no way to do all of the hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. This post will help you narrow it down to the Best Columbia River Gorge hikes to make sure you have an amazing hiking experience.

How to get to the Columbia River Gorge

If you are coming from outside of the Pacific Northwest, the best way to get to the Columbia River Gorge is to fly into Portland, OR (airport code PDX). It is easiest to rent a car, but there are some shuttle options available for some of the hikes if this is not an option for you. Uber and Lyft are also a possibility, although they could be expensive.

The Columbia River itself serves as the state line between Washington and Oregon in the gorge area. There are hikes on both sides of the river in each state. If you plan to cross the bridges east of the Portland/Vancouver area, be prepared to pay a toll. In Cascade Locks, the Bridge of the Gods costs $2 for most vehicles (you can check the exact cost here). The bridge in The Dalles has no toll but is currently undergoing construction (you can read if you will be impacted here).

Note: If you are not planning to spend your entire trip in the Columbia River Gorge and would like to explore around a little further, check out this list of the Best Waterfall Hikes near Portland.

What to Wear when Hiking in the Columbia River Gorge

You never know just quite what you might get in the Pacific Northwest, but it really depends on the season. The Columbia River Gorge has so many waterfalls because it can be pretty wet – so not surprisingly you may need different gear than when you hike in other areas of the country. In addition to the ten essentials, make sure to pack a rain jacket, wear waterproof shoes, gloves, and bring extra layers – I prefer wool baselayers from WoolX Wool.

Permits and Fees Required for Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

Permits

The Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Cooridor on the Oregon side will be implementing a permit system between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend for vehicles wishing to travel along the stretch of the road between Vista House and Ainsworth State Park (this includes a large majority of the hikes on the Oregon side). For more details, check out this page for information. Please note, you will not need to obtain a permit if arriving via shuttle, private transportation, or bike.

Passes and Fees

There are four passes that you might encounter/need depending on which hikes you choose in the Columbia River Gorge. They are as follows:

• Interagency/America the Beautiful Annual Pass – This pass is also known as the “national parks pass” but it offers so much more. It also allows use of many US Forest Service sites, recreation areas, and Bureau of Land Management land. It is currently $80 for 12 months.

• Northwest Forest Pass – This pass is not necessary if you already have the Interagency/America the Beautiful Pass as this pass gets you access to everywhere that the Northwest Forest Pass does. However if you are local and not planning to visit any other federally-managed lands outside of Oregon and Washington, you will save money by purchasing this pass. It is currectly $30 for 12 months.

• Oregon State Parks Pass – For state park areas in Oregon you can purchase an annual pass for $30 or 24 month pass for $50. Here is the link. Daily Oregon State park permits must be purchased on site.

• Washington Discover Pass – Similar to the state parks in Oregon, Washington has its own parks pass for its state parks called the Discover Pass. Daily passes and annual passes can be purchased online at this link here.

For more information about these passes including fee-free days, check out these links: Oregon State Parks Pass, Washington Discover Pass, Washington Trail Association “What Pass Do I need FAQ”, and US Forest Service Pass information.

When to Visit the Columbia River Gorge

If you are wondering when to visit the Columbia River Gorge, you will be delighted to learn that this is an excellent year-round destination. Every season has its perks so you may even want to plan more than one trip. That being said, the most popular times to visit are spring-fall.

Now what you have been waiting for – the best Columbia River Gorge hikes. This post is broken up by the side of the river to help you navigate and the hikes are ranked in no particular order.

Best Columbia River Gorge Hikes on the Oregon Side

Multnomah Falls

Number of Miles: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 810 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: Yes/no – see below link
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

Going to get this one out of the way because it is iconic but not because it is necessarily the one of the best Columbia River Gorge Hikes. Not only is it iconic but it is also popular. This is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest. The bridge makes the waterfall incredibly picturesque. Multnomah is a great one to add in for a quick pitstop just to visit the base (for the classic photo op you see all over the internet) if you are already in the area seeing other beautiful waterfalls such as Wahclella (below), Wahkeena, Bridal Veil, and Latourell Falls. This falls, and many of the others in the Columbia River Gorge area, will now require a permit for your vehicle from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Ponytail Falls

Number of Miles: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 360 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 1
Permit Required: Yes/no, see below link
Fees (if applicable): $5, Covered under the Northwest Forest Pass/America The Beautiful Annual Pass
Dogs Allowed: Yes but on a leash
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

This is one of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge that is perfect for the entire family.

After all, this quick hike will take you only around 35 minutes to complete and offers stunning views of Ponytail Falls.

In fact, you can even go behind the falls and see them in a totally different way. Just be sure to wear shoes with good grip since the trail behind the waterfall can get slippery.

The trail is also rocky, narrow, and packed with people, especially on weekends. Therefore, avoid the crowds and visit early on a weekday morning.

Wahclella Falls

Number of Miles: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 223 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: Yes/no, see below link
Fees (if applicable): $5, Covered under the Northwest Forest Pass/America The Beautiful Annual Pass
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

This is another amazing Columbia River Gorge waterfall hike you should check out. It is an impressive waterfall with an excellent view to effort ratio. There are some areas on the trail with steep drop-offs to one side so extra caution would be necessary if hiking with children. This falls, and many of the others in the Columbia River Gorge area, will now require a permit for your vehicle from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

St. Cloud Trail

Number of Miles: 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 50 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 1
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): $5, covered under the Northwest Forest Pass/America The Beautiful Annual Pass
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

Take this short access loop around an old apple orchard and to a local picnic area.

After all, this orchard was once a part of the St. Cloud Ranch, which was the summer estate of the Vial family in the early 1900s.

Also be sure to walk along the shore of the Columbia River, especially in the summer and fall when water levels are low.

You’ll know you’ve reached the end of the trail when you hit the Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge. And if you need it, there is a bathroom and informational sign in the parking lot.

Pro Tip: This is a great place to pick some blackberries in the late summer.

Dry Creek Falls

Number of Miles: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 886 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): $5, covered under the Northwest Forest Pass/America The Beautiful Annual Pass
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

This hike reminded me a lot of another popular waterfall in Oregon, Abiqua Falls, but without the ropes and without the sketchy road to get there (You can learn more about Abiqua Falls in this post: Best Waterfall Hikes near Portland). Accessing this trail is quite convenient as you park right in the heart of Cascade Locks just before crossing the Bridge of the Gods. When I did this hike, I visited mid-week and never saw another person – it was quite glorious.

Tunnel Falls

Number of Miles: 12+ miles
Elevation Gain: 1,778 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 4
Permit Required: Yes (self-issued)
Fees (if applicable): $5, covered under the Northwest Forest Pass/America The Beautiful Annual Pass
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

Tunnel Falls is probably my favorite waterfall within the Columbia River Gorge and definitely one of the best waterfalls in Oregon. It does take a little more effort to get to, however you do pass at least a dozen waterfalls along the way – at least on a rainy day. This is a popular trail but going on a rainy weekday really cut down on the number of people. It is located in Eagle Creek which had a fire several years ago so the area is still recovering, I only visited after the fire and can confirm it is still beautiful.

Triple Falls

Number of Miles: 3.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 872 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): None
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

Triple Falls is a really cool waterfall that reminds me a lot of Sul Doc Falls in Olympic National Park. This is another popular trail but going on a rainy weekday – we did not see anyone else. This trail also has several options for extensions and other waterfalls such as Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls nearby. Like Tunnel Falls above, this trail is located within the Eagle Creek area, but the fire damage did seem more pronounced on this trail than Tunnel Falls.

Latourell Falls

Number of Miles: 2.4 miles (loop)
Elevation Gain: 520 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): None
Dogs Allowed: Yes but on a leash
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

This is one of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge which is just a quick drive from central Portland and that will take around an hour and 15 minutes to complete.

It is also a very popular loop hike that s best visited early in the morning since many people want to see the third tallest waterfall in the Columbia Gorge.

Now, this hike will begin at the Latourell Falls Trailhead, right near the Historic Columbia River Highway, and features a lot of elevation gain at the start. The trail then levels out as you make your way to one of two waterfalls on the hike.

Just be sure to wear appropriate footwear since the trail can get slippery and muddy, especially after it rains and in the spring. So, try and tackle this hike any time between May and October.

Pro Tip: If you this hike in the winter then be sure to bring crampons. Also, do keep noise to a minimum since people live in the area.

Other hikes on my list on the Oregon side that I still need to explore:

• Angel’s Rest
• Tom McCall Point

Best Columbia River Gorge Hikes on the Washington Side

Beacon Rock

Number of Miles: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 574 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 3
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): $10, covered under the Discover Pass
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

Beacon Rock is a unique hike that essentially has built in switchbacks straight up a massive rock. The switchbacks and railings themselves are very photogenic. This trail’s short distance and impressive views cause it to be incredibly popular. Go very early in the day or very late in the day in order to avoid crowds. If you get vertigo or are scared of heights, this is not the trail for you. However there are railings so it is not unsafe.

Coyote Wall

Number of Miles: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1624 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest – 5 is hardest): 3
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): None
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round

This hike is shared with mountain bikers and it lends some pretty impressive views of both Washington and Oregon making it one of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. While the mileage is noted as 6.8 miles, you can likely shorten this by turning around once you have hit the ridge if you prefer. This trail is well known for its beautiful wildflowers in the springtime.

Other hikes on my list on the Washington side that I still need to explore:

• Dog Mountain (permit required on weekends)
• Wind Mountain
• Cape Horn

Best Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge FAQs

What is the Best Part of the Columbia River Gorge?

The best part of the Columbia River Gorge is Rowena Crest. It’s a stunning, scenic viewpoint that is located between The Dalles and Mount Hood.

Stop here for incredible views of Horseshoe Bend and beyond.

Can you Hike the Columbia River Gorge?

Yes, you can hike the Columbia River Gorge and enjoy hikes like Wilderness at mile 5. This is one of the most popular and best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. Therefore, you will need a free permit to enjoy this hike.

How Long Should You Spend at Columbia River Gorge?

While the drive from Portland to the Columbia River Gorge only takes 15 minutes, you could easily spend three days exploring the region and enjoying some of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.

What is the Hardest Hike in the Gorge?

Some of the hardest hikes in the Gorge are:

• Munra Point
• Rock of Ages Loop Hike
• Table Mountain
• Dog Mountain
• Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike
• Waucoma Lakes Loop Hike

Best Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

There are so many amazing hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. It really depends on the scenery that you are looking for and the distance you want to hike as to which one is the perfect fit. Have you hiked in the Columbia River Gorge or is it on your bucket list? Which hike is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Best Waterfalls in Oregon
• Hiking the Enchantments in Washington State
• Best Waterfalls near Portland
• 10 Places to Visit in Oregon
• Best Wildflower Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
• Best Columbia River Gorge Hikes
• Best Hikes near Portland Oregon
• Easy Hikes near Portland Oregon
• The Perfect Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

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