On my second trip to Portland, Oregon, I was eager to get out of the city to experience more of the state’s wilderness. To be fair, Portland has its fair share of excellent trails, especially around Mt. Tabor right in the city, but I was craving waterfalls.  Fortunately, there are dozens of waterfall hikes in Hood River, about an hour outside Portland. This quaint riverside town sits at the crossroads of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Cascade Range. It lives up to its moniker of “Mother Nature’s Favorite” with its access to myriad outdoor experiences.

Waterfall Hikes on the Way to Hood River

Getting to Hood River is half the fun. Take the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway, which bends along the Columbia River and separates Oregon from Washington. There are 80 waterfalls along this route just off the road. Take your pick and start your adventures before you even reach your destination. 

Shepperd’s Dell Falls 

Start your adventure at Shepperd’s Dell Falls, a two-tiered waterfall slightly back from the Historic Columbia River Highway on a short mossy trail with a few stairs.

Bridal Veil Falls

A few minutes’ drive down the highway is Bridal Veil Falls, a 120-foot tall waterfall spilling over two tiers. It’s worth doing both the half-mile Overlook Trail that leads to the upper viewing bridge and the steep 0.3-mile descent to the waterfall’s base. 

Multnomah Falls

Continue to Multnomah Falls—an astonishing 600-foot waterfall that’s one of the highest in the States and the most-visited natural attraction in the Pacific Northwest. Booking a timed-entry permit is required.

Bonus!

Follow the 1.5-mile switchbacked trail behind Multnomah Falls to see Dutchman Falls, Wiesendanger Falls, and Ecola Falls. 

Where to Stay and What to Do in Hood River

In town, book a room at the cozy Hood River Hotel. I loved staying here as it was within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, cafes, and more. Built in 1911, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places and maintains the charm of a bygone era of westward travel. 

After a night’s rest, set off on the Fruit Loop, a scenic 35-mile drive lined with orchards, wineries, and farms. Get out of the car and stretch your legs with a U-Pick program where you can pick fresh produce, which makes for a great hiking snack. At Packer Orchards pick up local honey sticks, at Draper Girl’s County Farm get fresh 100 percent apple cider, and at Apple Valley Country Store choose from an assortment of homemade jams. Love wine? Stop by Grateful Vineyards to taste local vino with Mt. Hood visible from the al fresco tasting table.

Back in town, get out of your comfort zone and take an aerial yoga class. Empowered Movement Aerial is a nonprofit aerial arts school (with trapeze and circus arts classes, too) operating on a sliding scale rate for packages with drop-ins starting at $18.

After a long day of exploring, have dinner at Riverside, the only restaurant in town situated on the river. Reserve a table on the outside patio at sunset to enjoy the views. The menu combines locally sourced ingredients for dishes like peach burrata salad and creamy mushroom linguine. After dinner, grab a beer at the Spinning Wheels Brewing Project or the Wilderton, the first non-alcoholic tasting room in the States.

Between jaunts around Hood River, go for a hike. The area is extraordinary for hiking because the Columbia Gorge cuts through the Cascade Mountain Range and creates dramatic, photo-worthy landscapes.

More Waterfall Hikes (and great hiking) in Hood River

Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail: Viento State Park to Wyeth Campground

• Distance: 5.6 miles point to point
• Elevation Gain: 1,324 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate

Still wanting some more waterfall action? The family-friendly Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail section from Viento State Park to Wyeth Campground will take you by four cascades. From the Viento State Park trailhead on the south side of I-84, hike a mile west to see the 227-foot Starvation Creek Falls. Continue following the trail 4.6 miles west to the 220-foot, two-drop Cabin Creek Falls. The manmade 96-foot Hole-in-the-Wall Falls is next. The last accessible waterfall on the trail is the 303-foot Lancaster Falls on Wonder Creek. You’ll only be able to see the lower part of that cascade.

Mosier Plateau 

• Distance: 3.5 mile-lollipop
• Elevation Gain: 600 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Mosier Plateau Trail is a moderate hike starting from Totem Plaza. Cross a 100-year-old bridge over Mosier Creek that leads you to Mosier Pocket Park. Then climb along Mosier Creek to the viewpoint of Mosier Creek Falls, a horsetail-shaped cascade with an 80-foot drop. At the top of the Mosier Plateau are spectacular vistas of the Gorge—especially in the spring when 30 wildflower varieties flourish in the area. Side note: The trail is part of a project to create a continuous 200-mile trekking loop encircling the Columbia Gorge. 

Hood River Mountain Loop

• Distance: 4.4 mile-loop
• Elevation Gain: 1,040 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate

A visit to Hood River is incomplete without seeing the town’s namesake mountain. Follow the Hood River Mountain loop clockwise for an easier ascent and the best views of Mt. Hood and seasonal wildflowers at the end of the trail. The route has a series of trails and gravel roads through meadows and forests leading to the summit of Hood River Mountain. 

Permits & Other Logistics

Best Time to Visit

The waterfalls are best enjoyed from March until October when the weather is less dreary and the winter snowmelt brings peak flows. I was fortunate in early September 2021 that the weather was dry and overcast, making for moody light as the foliage began to change colors. If you visit in the spring, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area becomes technicolored with wildflowers; the season lasts from mid-April to mid-June.

Permits

Be sure to get the $5 recreation pass online for access to all the waterfall hikes. You’ll need a timed-entry permit for Multnomah Falls.