Elowah Falls
Elowah Falls
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Elowah Falls and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
2 within 3 miles
Attractions
12 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
18 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
6
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
minimize940314
Los Angeles, CA3,542 contributions
Feb 2023
Adequate falls. This falls require a bit of hike before seeing the falls. For this reason, less people visit this falls compared to multnomah. If you don't like to haggle with crowd, this falls is perfect for you. However, the waterfalls itself is not as grand as multnomah.
Written August 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue
Calgary, Canada26 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Went to all of the falls along the route and Elowah Falls is by far the best. Surprised that only a few people were there. Went to Multnomah Falls earlier and it was PACKED with people. This waterfall is an up-close experience. So amazing!
Written July 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret M
Tampa, Florida, United States364 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We were looking for a waterfall that we could get to without too much of a hike. Googling "easy waterfall" for the Columbia River Gorge took us to a story the Seattle Times had written about Elowah Falls, the title of the story was "Easy hike to Elowah Falls is a gem of the Columbia Gorge". The article said that it's an easy hike "just 0.8 miles one way" and "worthwhile for children, provided you pay close attention to them at a few dangerous spots". The article was SPOT ON that Elowah Falls is a GEM. Once we got to it we were glad we didn't turn back, the thought did cross our minds a NUMBER OF TIMES due to the steepness of the trail and some VERY hairy cliff areas. We had to contend with wet rocky patches in a few areas that were a little freaky for fear of slipping but in the end we made it down. At the bottom there was an awesome chilly breeze that helped cool us before our trek back up.
We DIDN'T have any children with us and I WOULD NOT recommend children be taken on this trail UNLESS you have them tethered to you by a rope. I'd be too worried a child would go over the edge and there are MANY places on this trail where that could happen.
If you go, wear hiking boots or sturdy tennis shoes with good traction and bring water. A walking stick could come in handy too. Oh and don't forget your camera to take pictures of the beautiful waterfall!
We DIDN'T have any children with us and I WOULD NOT recommend children be taken on this trail UNLESS you have them tethered to you by a rope. I'd be too worried a child would go over the edge and there are MANY places on this trail where that could happen.
If you go, wear hiking boots or sturdy tennis shoes with good traction and bring water. A walking stick could come in handy too. Oh and don't forget your camera to take pictures of the beautiful waterfall!
Written August 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
westie2
Kensington, CT10,997 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
I found this hike to the waterfall listed as easy so I decided to do it solo shortly after sunrise one morning. I passed an old wooden water tank not far from the parking lot and found the initial part segment of the hike easy, but just when the falls come into view through the trees, the trail gets a little dangerous, at least for this senior. It would have been doable had I possessed trekking poles, but those were back home in CT so I decided discretion was the better part of valor and turned around at that point.
Written September 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolHarb
Goodyear, AZ152 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
Fairly short but steep hike into the waterfall. Do not try this if you have any type of knee problems or breathing problems as the hike is steep in places and has a long flight of concrete steps. Hand rail is only on the outside of this stairway, none on the inside. If you are healthy and in good shape it is well worth the hike down and back up the mountainside. Beware of the poison oak near the trail too.
Written September 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Molly B
Parkton, MD113 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Short but fairly intense hike up and down switchbacks takes you to falls where there are few people. You can swim in the pool of frigid water if you are really determined. Short drive from the crowds at Multnomah.
Written July 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhfamWA
Washougal, WA258 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
After a day of waterfall viewing along the Historic Highway that was jammed with people, this was a great little hike off the beaten path. Not a huge parking lot, but we were lucky to get a spot. Moderate hike with some ups and downs, but gorgeous falls at the end. .08 mile each way. We could see where the path had been rerouted due to a landslide.
Written July 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan
New Orleans, LA661 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
The hike is less than a mile, yet there are some steep parts that make you work. The path is well kept but also makes you feel like you are deep in the woods. The falls are stunning! A free flowing waterfall in a cool, shadowed cocoon that is a great escape from the summer heat. Beautiful pictures and a must see if you are in the area!
Written July 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LostInColorado
Denver, Colorado300 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
When we went, the upper trail was closed due to damage from erosion (stay on the established trails please). So we just hiked to Elowah and back. Not that interesting of a hike. Don't get me wrong - the falls are pretty. There are just better options in the area.
Right past the parking area the Old Columbia River Highway merges back onto eastbound I-84 and, due to construction, it takes awhile to get turned around to head back towards Portland. So remember to retrace your route westward after your hike, as this is not well marked (i.e. signed) on the road itself).
Right past the parking area the Old Columbia River Highway merges back onto eastbound I-84 and, due to construction, it takes awhile to get turned around to head back towards Portland. So remember to retrace your route westward after your hike, as this is not well marked (i.e. signed) on the road itself).
Written June 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PatriceD97341
Depoe Bay, OR251 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
This trail had been closed due a landslide and must have opened literally the day before we got there. It was a pretty easy hike and the waterfall is beautiful!
Written June 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing