Waterfall permits are not required during the winter season
Information for Summer 2024 will be posted when it becomes available.
Multnomah Falls Permit Pick-Up
Cascade Locks Historical Museum has a limited number of entry permits for Multnomah Falls via the I-84 lot (Exit 31) available daily. Same-day permits are available for pickup in person during open hours at the museum on a first come, first served basis. Same-day permits are also available at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale.
New this year!
We are experimenting with making the permits self-serve on days we are closed. Permits will be available in a black mailbox on the outside of the building on Tuesdays and Wednesdays ONLY.
Online Reservations available
You can also reserve Multnomah Falls timed-entry permits online at Recreation.gov. If you are planning a trip, be advised that most Multnomah Falls permits will be released two weeks prior to your visit date. A few additional permits will be released 2 days prior to your visit date. Same-day reservations may be available. More information is available from Oregon Department of Transportation.
Permits are required between 9am and 6pm from May 26-September 4, 2023. Permits are not required if you arrive before 9am or after 6pm.
Timed-use entry permits do not guarantee parking availability.
Permits are only required for personal vehicles. If you do not wish to obtain a permit, you can take transit by catching the CAT bus in front of Thunder Island Brewing, or bike from the Tooth Rock trailhead (6 miles).
Permits are not required to access historic highway 30 in 2023.
Need another idea?
The Columbia River Gorge is home to over 100 waterfalls. If Multnomah Falls isn’t going to work for you today, we recommend the following options to see other beautiful falls beyond the “waterfall corridor” section of Highway 30.
Starvation Creek State Park is a mini version of the waterfall corridor. Pop out of your car and travel .1 miles up a short, paved path to see Starvation Creek Falls. Traverse .5 miles west along the paved Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail to see Cabin Creek Falls and Hole-in-the-Wall Falls, and continue up a hiking trail another .25 miles to see Lancaster falls. Free parking and restrooms at trailhead.
For a longer hike, visit Dry Creek Falls in Cascade Locks. You can access Dry Creek Falls two ways. The more pleasant trip is southbound on the Pacific Crest Trail (4.4 miles out-and-back). For a shorter, more direct, and more historic approach, follow the Google Maps directions up that weird logging road and park at the gate. The access road follows the creek straight up to the falls (2.4 miles out-and-back), and includes infrastructure remnants from the old Cascade Locks operating mechanisms and first municipal water system. Free parking, public restrooms available year-round at Overlook Park (next to post office).
Feeling daring? The Upper McCord Creek Falls trail takes you 1.9 miles out-and-back from John B. Yeon State Park up a steep cliff face. Sweeping views of Beacon Rock and the Bonneville Dam await you at the top, as does a birds-eye view of Elowah Falls and the Upper McCord Creek twin falls. Not recommended for young children or those afraid of heights. Paved access to Historic Highway 30 state trail is also accessible from this parking area. Free parking, no restroom.