Things to do nearMultnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls has drawn visitors to the Columbia River Gorge for well over a century, and the surrounding landscape carries the weight of that history alongside its natural grandeur. The falls are fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain above, which means the flow remains strong even during dry summer months when other regional waterfalls slow to a trickle. The Multnomah people, for whom the falls are named, considered this place sacred long before roads were cut through the gorge. The Historic Columbia River Highway, completed in 1916 and celebrated as an early feat of scenic road engineering, brought the falls within reach of the general public and helped establish Oregon's tradition of preserving dramatic landscapes for broad access.

Today the site is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and sees millions of visitors annually, drawn by the sheer visual impact of the two-tier drop, the arching Benson Bridge, and the network of trails that extend into the surrounding Gorge wilderness. The Multnomah Falls Lodge, built from native stone in the early twentieth century, houses a full-service restaurant where locally sourced dishes reflect the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Ranger-led programs and interpretive exhibits inside the lodge add context to the geological and cultural story of the gorge.

For those who venture beyond the main viewpoint, the upper trail connects to longer routes through old-growth forest and past additional waterfalls along the Oregon side of the gorge. The combination of raw natural power, layered history, and accessible terrain makes Multnomah Falls a place that rewards both a brief stop and a full day of exploration.