Latourell Falls
​Hike details:
Mileage: 2.4 mile loop w/ 585 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 1 hour w/ an average pace of 2.4 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Medium to very heavy (depending on the day of the week and time of day. Early mornings before 10am is going to be the least crowded time especially on weekends).
Highest elevation: 690 ft. Lowest elevation: 160 ft.
General location: 30.4 miles east of Portland - Guy W. Talbot State Park
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is March, April and May when the waterfalls are raging and the wildflowers are blooming).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash only
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 1 hour w/ an average pace of 2.4 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: Medium to very heavy (depending on the day of the week and time of day. Early mornings before 10am is going to be the least crowded time especially on weekends).
Highest elevation: 690 ft. Lowest elevation: 160 ft.
General location: 30.4 miles east of Portland - Guy W. Talbot State Park
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is March, April and May when the waterfalls are raging and the wildflowers are blooming).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash only
Possible dangers: N/A
Description:
Latourell Falls loop is one of the closest waterfall hikes in the Columbia Gorge to Portland. It is the perfect family friendly hike to do in any type of weather and all seasons. The first 0.7 miles of the hike take you up a steep hill along the left side of Lower Latourell Falls. It is very neat to see the 225 ft. waterfall from a higher vantage point.
Latourell Falls is named after Joseph Latourell, a prominent settler from the area who became the postmaster at the Rooster Rock post office in 1876. Latourell Falls and the area around it was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Talbot from Portland and in 1929 gave the state of Oregon 220 acres of land adjoining the Historic Columbia Highway and Latourell Falls. This is now known as Guy W. Talbot State Park.
Latourell Falls is named after Joseph Latourell, a prominent settler from the area who became the postmaster at the Rooster Rock post office in 1876. Latourell Falls and the area around it was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Talbot from Portland and in 1929 gave the state of Oregon 220 acres of land adjoining the Historic Columbia Highway and Latourell Falls. This is now known as Guy W. Talbot State Park.
(Lower Latourell Falls)
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(Upper Latourell Falls)
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After climbing up into a beautiful forest, the trail levels off a bit and meanders along Latourell Creek. The forest here is covered in ferns and in the springtime you will see white and pink trillium flowers and many other wildflowers growing along the trail. After going up a little rise, you will see Upper Latourell Falls ahead. This waterfall is 134 feet tall sliding down a basalt overhang before twisting and plunging into a pool.
You can admire Upper Latourell Falls from the small bridge that crosses the creek, and from here the trail heads back down the other side of the creek for another 1.2 miles. One of the best parts of this hike is the split spruce tree that you can walk through. This is probably the most photographed tree in the Columbia Gorge! |
The trail does stray away from the creek a bit and goes past the old Guy Talbot Park. After arriving back at the main trailhead, take the short 0.1 mile path that takes you up close to the bottom of Lower Latourell Falls. Bright green lichen dot the basalt columns where the waterfall comes down, which makes for some beautiful pictures if you can capture them with all the spray. When the waterfall is flowing heavily, it is impossible to stand close to the base of the falls without getting completely soaked.
This short loop hike is perfect for the whole family, and it is definitely an iconic Oregon waterfall hike. It offers up-close views of two amazing waterfalls, beautiful green forests, and even some wildflowers if you are headed here in mid-March or early April.
This short loop hike is perfect for the whole family, and it is definitely an iconic Oregon waterfall hike. It offers up-close views of two amazing waterfalls, beautiful green forests, and even some wildflowers if you are headed here in mid-March or early April.
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(Basalt rocks at Lower Latourell Falls)
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Directions:
From Portland
- Drive east on I-84 for 25.2 miles then take exit #28/Bridal Veil. Turn right on the Historic Columbia River Highway and travel west for approximately 3 miles to the parking lot on your right. (Total of 30.4 miles)
- Drive north on I-5 towards Portland for 27.8 miles then turn off at exit 288 for I-205 towards The Dalles/Seattle. Continue on I-205 north for 21.1 miles then take exit 22 to merge onto I-84 east towards The Dalles. Continue on I-84 for another 20 miles then take exit #28/Bridal Veil. Turn right on the Historic Columbia River Highway and travel west for approximately 3 miles to the parking lot on your right. (Total of 75 miles)
- Drive north on I-5 towards Portland for 108.6 miles then turn off at exit 288 for I-205 towards The Dalles/Seattle. Continue on I-205 north for 21.1 miles then take exit 22 to merge onto I-84 east towards The Dalles. Continue on I-84 for another 20 miles then take exit #28/Bridal Veil. Turn right on the Historic Columbia River Highway and travel west for approximately 3 miles to the parking lot on your right. (Total of 139 miles)
- Drive north on US-97 towards Redmond and Madras. In Madras merge left onto US-26 and stay on this highway for 100 miles. In Troutdale merge right onto I-84 towards Hood River for 10.6 miles then take exit #28/Bridal Veil. Turn right on the Historic Columbia River Highway and travel west for approximately 3 miles to the parking lot on your right. (Total of 162 miles)
- Drive north on I-5 to Portland for 269 miles then turn off at exit 288 for I-205 towards The Dalles/Seattle. Continue on I-205 north for 21.1 miles then take exit 22 to merge onto I-84 east towards The Dalles. Continue on I-84 for another 20 miles then take exit #28/Bridal Veil. Turn right on the Historic Columbia River Highway and travel west for approximately 3 miles to the parking lot on your right. (Total of 302 miles)
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*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.
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To get a more in-depth and personal view of this hike, watch the YouTube video.
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