Your Guide to Visiting Multnomah Falls

The most popular natural attraction in the entire state of Oregon is Multnomah Falls, one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States at 620 feet. More than 2 million visitors take in the views each year. Due to the popularity and remote nature of Multnomah Falls and The Gorge, visitors should plan their trip carefully, to maximize their time while reducing the impact on the environment.

In addition to being the last place for services, from gassing up the car to finalizing trip plans, Troutdale offers individuals, families and groups the chance to make the most of their excursion. Heavy traffic and congestion during the summer months mean the most reliable way to see Multnomah Falls is to take one of several shuttle services, use to public transit, or go by bike. 

Driving your personal vehicle is also an option, but note that timed-use parking permits are required during peak hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Regardless of how you choose to go, Troutdale is the perfect place to start your journey. If you are traveling from the Portland area, take Exit 17 off I-84 to fill your gas tank, then head up the hill to our historic downtown to grab a bite to eat or a get a coffee to go. Be sure to check out the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center, where you will find knowledgeable experts and reliable resources to help make a trip to The Gorge enjoyable and relaxing!

Go By Shuttle

Sasquatch Shuttle

Sasquatch Shuttle offers an easy, hassle-free way to experience Multnomah Falls — no parking headaches, no timed-use permits required. Shuttles depart from the Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets, right off I-84 at Exit 17, where parking is free and convenient.

Beginning May 23, the $5 Multnomah Falls Park and Ride shuttle runs hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the last return from Multnomah Falls at 6:10 p.m. The ride is just 17 minutes each way, and your round-trip fare lets you return whenever you're ready. Children under 5 and dogs ride free with a ticket purchase. Check in at the Sasquatch Adventure Store before boarding. Service runs May 23 through September 7.

Sasquatch Shuttle also offers a narrated Waterfall Loop Tour – a 2-1/2 hour journey that takes visitors to all the major attractions in the waterfall corridor. The tour departs twice daily, making stops at all the must-see attractions along the Gorge. With 15 minutes to explore each iconic location — plus some extra time at Multnomah Falls — you’ll have time to capture photos and marvel at stunning waterfalls.

Visit sasquatchshuttle.com for full details including pickup times, route maps, and to purchase tickets.  

 

Gray Line Waterfall Trolley

The Waterfall Trolley is a narrated, hop-on hop-off tour through the Columbia River Gorge's stunning waterfall corridor, with ten stops: Corbett, Crown Point, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Angels Rest, Wahkeena Falls, Multnomah Falls, Triple Falls, Horsetail Falls, and Ainsworth. Spend as much time as you like at the sights that interest you most — trolleys stop at each location at least once per hour, and you can track them in real time on your phone via the Waterfall Trolley website.

Your all-day pass covers the full narrated tour, unlimited hop-on hop-off access, and parking at the Corbett departure lot. It also includes a timed reservation to visit Multnomah Falls, satisfying the US Forest Service requirement — no separate permit needed.

Tickets are $35 for riders 13 and up, $18 for ages 6–12, and free for children 5 and under. If you're not starting in Corbett, trolley drivers can sell tickets on a space-available basis at any designated stop — cash only.

Service runs daily May 24 through September 1, departing from 36901 E. Historic Columbia River Highway in Corbett. Note: The trolley does not operate on July 4 due to local parades.

Visit waterfalltrolley.com for schedules, stop maps, and tickets.

Go  By Transit

Columbia Gorge Express

The Columbia Gorge Express, operated by Columbia Area Transit, offers an easy way to ride between Portland's Gateway Transit Center, Troutdale, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks and Hood River.  The service operates seven days a week and has three pick up times in Troutdale.  The pick-up location is on Frontage Road at the at the Trimet bus stop in front of Boot Barn.

A one-way fare to ride Columbia Gorge Express between Portland, Troutdale, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, and Hood River is $10 per person. Please keep in mind that the return trip is not included in that fare, meaning round trips are $20 per person. Please be aware that due to extreme congestion and safety concerns, CAT buses may be forced to bypass the Multnomah Falls stop if the parking lot is full, and traffic is backed up onto I-84.

Find full details at ridecatbus.org.

GOrge Pass

For locals or visitors planning more than one day in the Columbia River Gorge, the GOrge Pass is hard to beat. At just $40 for adults and $20 for kids under 17, the annual pass unlocks unlimited rides for a full year on all CAT, Mt. Adams Transportation Service, Skamania County Transit, and The Link Public Transit fixed routes — on both the Oregon and Washington sides of the Gorge.

From Portland or Troutdale, that means easy access to Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, Hood River, and The Dalles. In winter, the pass also covers service to Government Camp and Mt. Hood Meadows.

Visit gorgepass.com for more details.  

Go By Car

There are two main routes you can take to visit Multnomah Falls. The scenic route takes you along the Historic Columbia River Highway (US-30), America's first scenic byway. From Troutdale it leads you past country farms, by breathtaking viewpoints such as the Women's Forum and Vista House, and through the stunning waterfall corridor. You can extend your visit by continuing on and enjoying a drive along the Infinity Loop, which combines the Historic Columbia River Highway and Mt. Hood Scenic Byways. The second option is to take Interstate 84 which provides expansive views of The Gorge and a convenient exit right near the base of Multnomah Falls.

The I-84 route is considerably faster at just under 20 minutes from the Visitor Center. Driving directly to Multnomah Falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway would take just under 40 minutes, but you should definitely plan for at least 90 minutes  or more to allow for stops at all of the spectacular sites and vistas along the way.  The Historic Highway is restricted to vehicles under 35-feet in length between Larch Mountain and Ainsworth State Park (mileposts 8.76 - 22). An 11-ton weight restriction remains in place just west of Multnomah Falls until further notice. 

Multnomah Falls Timed Use Parking Permits

Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, timed use permitting goes into effect for those arriving by personal vehicle at the Multnomah Falls I-84 Exit 31 parking lot. Permits will be available on a per-vehicle basis  two weeks prior to the date you wish to visit at Recreation.gov. There is a $2 reservation fee to secure each permit. 

Please note that this permit does not guarantee you a parking space, but you can see a live webcam view of the Exit 31 Multnomah Falls parking area on the Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck page. Approximately 100 permits are available during each window and you can reserve permits up to two weeks in advance. Permitting runs daily from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. through Labor Day. 

And don't forget that the The Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center and the Cascade Locks Historical Museum each have 25 free in-person permits available daily on a first come, first served basis.

Visit Recreation.gov for full details.

Multnomah Falls Historic Columbia River Highway Parking Lot

There is a small paid lot with extremely limited parking along Historic Columbia River Highway/U.S. 30 at Multnomah Falls. A concessionaire operates this lot on a first come, first served basis. There are six ADA parking spots at this lot for those with valid ADA placards. When the parking lot is full, vehicles are not allowed to stop or wait for an open space.   The lot does not accommodate oversized vehicles, RVs, or trailers. The parking fee varies by season and hours. Visit the Sasquatch Shuttle website for more information.

Go by Bike

Start your ride in Troutdale by parking at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center! Cyclists should be aware that cycling the Historic Columbia River Highway, particularly between Troutdale and Multnomah Falls, can be dangerous as the road is shared with vehicles and there are no protected bike lanes.

Another option is to take Columbia Gorge Express. Their buses are equipped with bike rack with space on those racks on a first come first serve basis. Space for bikes on the rack is on a first come first serve basis and it is up to the passenger to lift and secure their own bike.  Please note that racks may not fit all tire widths. 

You can also take a tour with Bike the Gorge. Their most popular guided tour is a half-day e-bike adventure through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area that includes stops at Multnomah Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Ponytail Falls. Bike the Gorge only offers guided tours that include Multnomah Falls, however their self-guided tours take you to waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, which is free of motorized vehicles. 

Another self-guided option is to rent an e-bike through E-Bike Multnomah Falls. They offer self-guided tours that operate out of their headquarters in Hood River.

Please keep in mind that e-bikes are considered motorized vehicles and are not allowed on the Multnomah Falls Plaza or trails. They must remain on the Historic Columbia River Highway and designated e-bike parking locations. 

The Oregon Department of Transportation has a great biking map to help you plan your route.

FAQs

Why can't I visit Multnomah Falls for free?
You still can! During the summer permit season, if you arrive at the Exit 31 Parking Area off of I-84 before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. you will not need a permit to park. The Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center and Cascade Locks Historical Museum also have a limited number of same day passes available for free every day. Just stop in and inquire!

Do I need a permit to visit the other waterfalls or to drive along the Waterfall Corridor on Historic Columbia River Highway?
No - The Exit 31 Parking Area directly off I-84 location is the only area where timed-use permitting is in place in 2024. The Waterfall Corridor does not require a permit.

How can I find out if there are any parking spaces at the Exit 31 parking lot off of I-84?
There is a webcam that provides a live view of the parking lot.

Do I need a permit if I am taking transit or a shuttle?
No – permits are only required to access the parking lot at exit 31, not to visit the Falls.

Is there a limit to how long I can stay at Multnomah Falls?
No, both the timed-use permits for the I-84 lot and the paid parking at the Historic Columbia River Highway lot do not restrict the amount of time you're able to spend at Multnomah Falls. If you take transit or a shuttle you are only limited by the provider’s route schedule. The same holds true if you arrive at the I-84 lot before 9 a.m. Just remember that parking spaces are not guaranteed to be open even if you have a permit. 

Is there anywhere to get lunch near Multnomah Falls?
The restaurant at Multnomah Falls Lodge is open seven days a week. They do encourage visitors to make reservations, but it is not required. The Lodge also features an espresso stand and a gift shop. If you are continuing east into The Gorge, there are options in Cascade Locks, Hood River, and The Dalles. And of course, you can always return to downtown Troutdale for many wonderful dining options!