Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Best Waterfall on the Columbia Gorge – Latourell or Multnomah? You Decide
Multnomah Falls is the more famous of the two, and one of the top attractions in Oregon, receiving 2 million visitors a year. It can be reached easily from the main Gorge Highway, 84.
At 622 feet high, it’s one of the tallest in the country. It’s a beauty and you should definitely see it, preferably in the off season without the crowds.
But there’s another waterfall at least as beautiful as Multnomah – Latourell Falls, the first you come to going eastbound on the Historic Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway 30. We visited last week and took the scenic route winding through the fog till we arrived at the falls.
Latourell Falls drops 224 feet, into an amphitheater of columnar basalt, brightened by golden/chartreuse lichen. You can see it from road or take the short path down to the base and feel the spray on your face.
A beauty, don’t you think? You can get closer to it, without the crowds; it has my vote.
There are several other waterfalls on the scenic route, including Shepherd’s Dell Falls, most requiring no hiking, unless you want to. (We didn’t.)
This route will also take you to Multnomah Falls, so you can easily do both from Historic Highway 30. I highly recommend it.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
So magical to live in an area where you can compare waterfalls!
Yes, indeed! The Pacific Northwest is a treasury of waterfalls!
Both look pretty spectacular. I’ve only been to Multnomah Falls.
Yes, both are wonderful! Multnomah is definitely the most visited.
Both are beautiful! Bigger isn’t always better….
True. Both are wonderful. I like Latourell for a quieter experience off the beaten path. Multnomah can get crowded during the summer.
Both are beautiful! I’ve actually been to the first one, long, long ago. Probably the early 80s, back when there weren’t the IG crowds of today. The second looks very worth a visit, especially if it’s less-well known and quieter.
Thank you! Both are beautiful and worth visiting. If you’re just driving by, Multnomah is easier to access from the main highway. But if you have the time, the old highway is wonderful and lined with waterfalls, including Latourell.
Impossible to choose. I love them all xx
Yes indeed! Better to choose the old scenic highway and stop by both of them! 😊
I love both of these, but the one with the bridge halway up really is the winner!
Best wishes, Pete.
Both are beautiful! Multnomah is the most popular with the two drops and bridge. It’s gorgeous! And you can stop by easily from the main highway. But if you have the time, the best way to see it, is along with all the others, including single drop Latourell, along the old scenic highway.
Both are beautiful but my vote would go to Latourell as (unlike Pete above) I think the sight of the bridge breaks up the impact of Multnomah a bit.
I agree both are beautiful, and Multnomah is the most popular. But I think Latourell is just as beautiful with the basin and color behind. And you can get closer without the crowds. Best way is to take the old highway and see both. 😊
Stunning shots of both falls, Susanne! I can’t count how many times I’ve visited Multnomah. Latourrell falls look beautiful!
Thanks, Terri! 😊 Multnomah is gorgeous and easy to get to off the main highway. Latourell is beautiful too, and worth visiting, along with others, on the scenic old highway if you have the time.