Multnomah Falls air tour: See the Gorge from above

Four waterfalls and a dam, all visible at once from the plane.

An airplane tour of the Columbia River Gorge that flies past Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Crown Point and Bonneville Dam with a live guide in English. The route covers the western entrance near Troutdale, climbing over the gorge's most photographed landmarks in 40 minutes. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Group weight cannot exceed 600 pounds total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Crown Point State Scenic Corridor2m
2. Latourell Falls2m
3. Multnomah Falls2m
4. Bonneville Dampassing by

Columbia River Gorge Air and Land Tour

• Fly past Crown Point viewpoint
• View Latourell Falls from air
• See Multnomah Falls from air
• Fly over Beacon Rock monolith
• Pass by Bonneville Dam
• Fly through Columbia River Gorge
• Explore waterfalls by land

The experience

The plane departs from Troutdale, at the western mouth of the Columbia River Gorge, and climbs over Crown Point: the overlook where Vista House sits atop the cliffs and where millions of ground-level visitors stand in line. From the air, you see the whole sweep of the rim at once. The route then passes Latourell Falls, a two-tier cascade visible from the Historic Columbia River Highway but only fully visible from above, and continues east over Rooster Rock before reaching Multnomah Falls, the most visited natural site in the Pacific Northwest. The 620-foot drop is fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, and the flow changes with the season: highest in winter and spring when snowmelt feeds the source. Bridal Veil Falls and several smaller cascades pass below as the plane moves deeper into the gorge.

Bonneville Dam marks the eastern boundary of the tour route. The flight also passes Beacon Rock, a 57,000-year-old volcanic plug that stands as a freestanding monolith: the ice age Missoula Floods stripped away the volcano's flanks and left behind one of the gorge's most recognizable landmarks. The whole route takes 40 minutes from takeoff to landing. A live guide narrates the flight in English, pointing out geology, water flow patterns and the landmarks below. The plane is a fixed-wing aircraft, not a helicopter, and all passengers sit inside with windows for viewing.

You'll need to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The operator requires weights for all passengers when you book. The group cannot exceed 600 pounds total, which typically means three passengers. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and infants sit on an adult's lap. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries, though it is suitable for all other fitness levels. Service animals are allowed on board.

What’s included

• Airplane tour with a live guide in English.
• views of Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Crown Point, Beacon Rock, Bonneville Dam and Bridal Veil Falls.
• 40-minute flight time.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 3

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Envi Adventures, LLC

Is this one for you?The flight is 40 minutes of continuous viewing with no walking or water entry. You sit inside the plane with windows for the entire route. This works well if you have a free afternoon and want to see the gorge's major waterfalls without spending hours on the ground or driving between overlooks.

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Top questions

What is Multnomah Falls like when you see it from the air?

Multnomah Falls is a 620-foot cascade fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, and from the plane you see the full drop and the surrounding gorge walls at once. The flow varies by season (it's highest in winter and spring when snowmelt feeds the source), so what you see depends on when you fly.

How long is the flight, and what does it include?

The flight is 40 minutes from takeoff to landing. It includes a live guide in English who narrates the route, pointing out Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Crown Point, Beacon Rock, Bonneville Dam and several smaller waterfalls as the plane moves through the gorge.

Can I bring my child on this tour?

Yes, children must be accompanied by an adult on the flight. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The group weight limit is 600 pounds total, which typically accommodates three passengers including children.

Do I need to arrange transportation to the airport?

The tour departs from Troutdale, at the western entrance to the Columbia River Gorge. Public transportation options are available nearby, but the operator does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off, so you'll need to arrange your own way to the airfield.

Is this tour suitable if I have health concerns?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries. It is suitable for all other fitness levels. If you have specific health questions, contact the operator before booking.

What is Beacon Rock, and why does it matter?

Beacon Rock is a 57,000-year-old volcanic plug: the hardened core of a cinder cone left behind after the ice age Missoula Floods stripped away the surrounding volcano. It stands as a freestanding monolith and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Columbia River Gorge.