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This dramatic natural landmark is Oregon’s tallest waterfall, a two-tiered basalt cascade plunging 620 feet through the emerald old-growth forest of the Columbia River Gorge. Glacial meltwater freefalls from a hidden upper plunge into a fern-draped amphitheater before spilling over the lower tier, where the arched, century-old Benson Footbridge spans the misty gorge just above the churning pool.

Framed by moss-cloaked cliffs and towering Douglas firs, the falls have drawn admirers since Native peoples first regarded the site as sacred ground, later inspiring early 20th-century conservationists to preserve the surrounding scenic corridor. Mist rises constantly from the base, nourishing a microclimate of ferns, lichens, and wildflowers rarely seen elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest.

A short paved trail leads from the historic lodge to the footbridge, rewarding visitors with an intimate vantage of the upper cascade’s thunderous descent. Beyond its postcard silhouette, Multnomah Falls remains a living symbol of the Gorge’s volcanic history and enduring wild beauty.