5 minute read | Contains affiliate links

Wahkeena Falls (Wa-Kee-Na) is a multi-tired waterfall along Oregon’s famed, ‘Waterfall Corridor’, in the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge.

Named after the Yakama word for, “most beautiful”, Wahkeena Falls has a total height of 242-feet. It may not be as tall as its neighbor, Multnomah Falls, but it’s no less gorgeous.

In this quick guide, we’ll show you a few of the photos we took during our visit and fill you in on some details you’ll want to know before visiting. Let’s do this!

Here’s some great hiking equipment we recommend…

Wahkeena Falls Information

Getting To Wahkeena Falls

Distance from:

Portland: 29 miles east (30 minute drive)
Troutdale: 14 miles east (17 minute drive)
Vista House: 8 miles east (19 minute drive)
Multnomah Falls: 8.5 miles west (15 minute drive)
Cascade Locks: 14 miles west (22 minute drive)
Vancouver: 32 miles west (33 minute drive)
Bend: 162 miles north (3 hour and 15 minute drive)

Coming from Portland or Troutdale, you’ll be on I-84 east for most of the drive. You’ll take exit #28 to Bridal Veil and continue straight on the Historic Columbia River Highway.

From Cascade Locks or further, you’ll travel on I-84 west before taking exit #35 and merge onto the Historic Highway.

If you’re coming from the west, Wahkeena Falls will be after Bridal Veil Falls on your right. If you’re coming from the east, it’ll be after Multnomah Falls on your left.

Parking

Even during the off-season, parking can be scarce at Wahkeena Falls. There’s a small pull-out style lot across the street and an even smaller one in front of the entrance.

When we arrived, both were full. We were here in March, which isn’t a particularly busy time. So in the summer, we can imagine how insane it gets.

If you find yourself in the same situation, do what we did and circle around. This is a spot where most people get out of their car, check it out, and move on.

Chances are good that if you circle around - or even just come back to it later - you’ll snag yourself a spot. Patience will take you far, here.

Hiking At Wahkeena Falls

You can partially view the waterfall from the main viewing deck below, like most people. If you want a great view, though, take the trail up to the footbridge.

While not as famous as Benson Bridge over at Multnomah, Wahkeena Falls has a bridge of its own and yes, you can walk up to it!

Standing in the parking lot and facing Wahkeena Falls, the trail is to your right. If you take the one to your left, you’ll end up at Multnomah.

The trail is part dirt, part gravel and is a 2/10’s of a mile, uphill walk (can’t really designate this as a hike). We would rate the trail as easy for most.

Wahkeena Falls To Fairy Falls

From the footbridge, you can hike a little further up Wahkeena Canyon to another beautiful waterfall, Fairy Falls. It is less than a mile from here.

Due to icy conditions on the trail, we decided to skip it and bank it for our next visit. If you’re here when its warmer, though, you should definitely go for it.

*To see what Fairy Falls looks like, check out the website, The Outbound

Wahkeena Falls To Multnomah Falls Loop

Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls are connected by a network of hiking trails. One of them runs parallel to the Historic Highway between the two waterfalls.

The other trail takes you up to the footbridge, past Fairy Falls, and eventually reaches the top of Multnomah.

From there, drop down to the base of Multnomah Falls and continue left on the trail parallel to the highway, completing the loop.

One-way milage for this hike is 1.8 miles and based on what we’ve been told, the hike is moderate for most. So just use your best judgement.

Is Wahkeena Falls Open?

That’s a question often asked. A big fire ripped through Oregon’s side of the gorge a few years ago and heavily damaged numerous trails and foliage.

To answer your question, yes, Wahkeena Falls IS open. As is the entire loop trail to Multnomah Falls. To get current information on closures, check out the website, Ready Set Gorge.

Weather and Best Time To Go

A lot of this is based on your personal preferences and ability to deal with weather conditions.

Summer: It’s warm/hot with little to no rain. So you won’t have to worry about icy conditions. However, you will be dealing with heavy crowds and needing a permit to access the Historic Highway.
Winter: Crowd levels will be low, but you’ll be dealing with snow and ice conditions. Benson Bridge will be closed for the majority of the season due to it icing over.
Spring: The weather improves, but you’ll be dealing with on and off again rain showers. Mornings are chilly, with ice still present at certain points along the trail. Crowd levels begin to pick up.
Fall: When they peak, fall colors in the gorge are breath taking. Crowds start tapering off from the summer and the weather, while still rainy, is mostly mild.