Multnomah Falls sunset tour: 5 waterfalls plus Vista House

Five waterfalls in one afternoon, ending where the Gorge glows at sunset

A guided tour of five Columbia River Gorge waterfalls, starting with a 176-foot swimming hole and moving through Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Latourell Falls, and ending at Crown Point Vista House for sunset views over the water and mountains. The tour runs 3.5 hours with 2.5 hours spent walking and exploring the waterfall parks. Pickup is included, and a reserved parking spot at Multnomah gets you past the crowds to the Benson Bridge and the gift shop. The route may shift due to weather or road conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Multnomah Falls45m · entry included
2. Wahkeena Falls30m · entry included
3. Latourell Falls20m · entry included
4. Crown Point State Scenic Corridor20m · entry included

Explore Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls

• Visit local swimming hole under waterfall
• Explore Multnomah Falls up to Benson Bridge
• Hike 0.5 miles to Wahkeena Falls spray
• Walk 100 yards to view falls at rest stop
• See Latourell Falls up close
• Enjoy sunset at Crown Point Vista House

The experience

The tour leaves Portland in a small group with a live guide and heads straight into the Columbia River Gorge. Your first stop is a 176-foot waterfall with a swimming hole underneath: on a warm day you can jump in, or stay dry and shoot photos from the multiple viewing areas. The bus moves on to Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon, where a reserved front-row parking spot cuts through the usual crowds. You have time to walk all the way up to the Benson Bridge, grab ice cream at the lodge, and browse the gift shop without the tour feeling rushed.

From there, a half-mile round-trip hike takes you to Wahkeena Falls (the name means "Most Beautiful"), where you walk into the spray of a powerful waterfall. The next stop is a 1915 rest stop with a narrow chasm and a short 100-yard hike to the best vantage point. Then comes Latourell Falls, a 290-foot drop in a charming park that locals favor, where you can get close to the water. The air-conditioned vehicle moves between stops, so the 2.5 hours of walking is broken up across the five sites rather than one long hike.

The tour ends at Crown Point Vista House, the highest point on the Historic Columbia River Highway. At sunset the whole Gorge shifts through colors: the water and mountains catch the light while Portland glows in the distance. This is the reason the tour is timed this way: you see the Gorge at the hour it looks like nothing else. Weather and road conditions can shift the route, so the operator may adjust which falls you visit or the order you visit them in.

What’s included

• All park fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in English.
• pickup from Portland.
• reserved parking at Multnomah Falls so you skip the main lot and head straight to the bridge and lodge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:30, 13:45 and 15:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 49 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Waterfall Shuttle

Is this one for you?The 3.5-hour window leaves room for the rest of your day (you're back in Portland by early evening), and the reserved parking at Multnomah means you see the most crowded waterfall without losing time to the entrance queue. If you want to swim, hike, and photograph five different falls without driving yourself, this tour holds all of it inside one afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I swim at the waterfalls on this tour?

Yes, the first stop is a 176-foot waterfall with a swimming hole underneath, and you can jump in on a warm day. The other waterfalls are for viewing and hiking rather than swimming.

How much walking is involved in the 3.5-hour tour?

You spend 2.5 hours walking and exploring the five waterfall parks. The longest hike is a half-mile round trip to Wahkeena Falls. Other stops have shorter walks of 100 yards or viewing areas you can reach without hiking.

What is Multnomah Falls like when we get there?

Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon and the most visited attraction in the state. The reserved parking spot gets you past the crowds at the entrance, so you have time to walk up to the Benson Bridge for closer views, grab ice cream at the lodge, and check out the gift shop.

What happens at Crown Point Vista House?

Crown Point Vista House sits at the highest point on the Historic Columbia River Highway and overlooks the entire Columbia River Gorge. The tour times your arrival for sunset, when the water, mountains, and Portland in the distance all catch the light at once.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, pickup is included. The tour departs from Portland and returns you there. Contact the operator for your specific pickup location and time.

What if I can't walk 1.5 miles?

The tour requires about 1.5 miles of walking across all five stops to get the full experience. The operator offers alternatives for those with mobility limits. Call them to discuss what works for your situation.