Our video of the Triple Falls hike highlights
The first time we hiked the Triple Falls trail, my brother had a broken toe. But he had also just moved to Oregon (that day!), so I was eager to show him the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge.
We started out on a driving tour through the scenic Waterfall Corridor. This seemed like a broken toe-friendly way to experience the gorge.
Then we got to Horsetail Falls. Admiring the giant waterfall from the parking lot, I sighted a sign indicating Ponytail Falls was less than half a mile’s walk. I glanced significantly at my brother.
“I think I can do a hike if the footing’s pretty even,” he said.
And so it began.
We didn’t make it all the way to Triple Falls that day on the broken toe, but I soon returned to explore the rest. In today’s post, I’ll share the highlights and everything you need to know about the Triple Falls hike.
There are so many waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge that it can be hard to know what to include on your Oregon bucket list, but the Triple Falls trail is a must. Triple Falls itself is a fabulously unique segmented waterfall, and along the way, the trail passes three other waterfalls, including one that you can walk behind.
The Best Trailhead for the Triple Falls Hike
Many websites recommend hiking to Triple Falls from the Oneonta trailhead, but I’d highly recommend starting at the Horsetail Falls trailhead instead. Otherwise, you won’t see all four waterfalls!
The Horsetail Falls trailhead is about 45 minutes by car from Portland. The enormous Horsetail Falls is right next to the parking lot. No doubt due to this giant and highly accessible waterfall, there will likely be a crowd at Horsetail Falls itself. It can be difficult to park.
The trail climbs rapidly from the trailhead, so as long as you can find a parking spot, the crowd isn’t a problem. In general, as soon as walking (especially uphill) is required, crowds dissipate rapidly.
How to Get a Permit for the Waterfall Corridor during Peak Season
Both the Horsetails Falls trailhead and the Oneonta trailhead are within the Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Corridor. Permits are required between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm during the peak season. The peak season dates were May 24 – September 5 in 2022. Check the waterfall corridor permit website for up-to-date details for later years.
The waterfall corridor is a section of the Historic Columbia River Highway that encompasses several of the larger waterfalls. It begins just after Bridal Veil Falls on the west side and ends just past Ainsworth State Park on the east side.
As of 2022, the permits are only $2 per vehicle, but they’re limited in number and often sell out, so make sure to reserve one in advance here. There are checkpoints set up at either end of the waterfall corridor for agents to check permits. You can show the electronic ticket on your phone; no need to print it out.
I’ve used the waterfall corridor permit a couple times. A tricky part is getting the timing just right, because the permit is good for entering the waterfall corridor during a specific one-hour window. Last time we decided to stop off at Latourell Falls along the way, and the extra time there meant we arrived at the checkpoint just in the last 10 minutes of our permit window. Whew!
5 Reasons Why the Triple Falls Trail is Awesome
The Triple Falls trail earns its place among my favorite waterfall hikes in Oregon for the density of waterfalls it packs into a 4-mile trek. In addition to the waterfalls, a key destination is an overlook midway through the hike, which provides magnificent views over the Columbia River Gorge. Along the trail, you’ll find deep canyons and cliffs dripping with moss.
Here’s a quick rundown of these 5 high points of the Triple Falls hike:
1. Horsetail Falls
Right out of the gate, the Triple Falls trail begins with the huge Horsetail Falls waterfall, which tumbles down mossy cliffs into a pool at viewing level. From there it’s less than half a mile (up a pretty steep hill) to the next waterfall, Ponytail Falls. Ponytail Falls is sometimes called “Upper Horsetail Falls,” and the signage out on the trail itself actually has it marked both ways! The first sign says “Upper Horsetail Falls: 0.4 miles,” and the next one says “Pony Tail Falls: 0.2 miles.” Slightly confusing, but it’s the same waterfall.
2. Ponytail Falls
Ponytail Falls is one of those cool waterfalls that you can walk behind; the trail travels through an overhang in the cliff face behind the waterfall.
3. Columbia River Gorge Viewpoint
In between Ponytail Falls and the next waterfall, Middle Oneonta Falls, you’ll find an overlook. This overlook is nice any time of year, but it’s stunning when the gorge is in its full summer green. Be careful at the cliffs here; there’s a memorial plaque at the site to honor someone who fell.
4. Middle Oneonta Falls
After the overlook, the Triple Falls trail enters Oneonta Gorge. Here Oneonta Creek has cut a dramatic, narrow canyon into the cliffs. A footbridge crosses over the canyon. From the bridge, you can get a close-up view to your right of the stream cutting through the moss-covered canyon walls. To the left, there’s a full-on view from the bridge of Middle Oneonta Falls.
5. Triple Falls
Triple Falls is less than a mile from Middle Oneonta Falls, but the trail gets a little steeper and rockier in this last section. There are pretty dramatic cliffs in this part. The trail isn’t as narrow as Eagle Creek, and there aren’t cables or anything, but just be careful about the edge and watch your step.
The trail follows a set of switchbacks before arriving at Triple Falls itself. A short spur trail off the main trail leads to a clear viewpoint of the falls. It’s a great place to stop for water or a snack and appreciate the view of this unique waterfall (or is it three waterfalls?).
Did Oneonta Gorge Burn in the Eagle Creek Fire?
Unfortunately it did. There are burned tree trunks on the approach to Ponytail Falls, but the fire damage is really striking when the trail enters Oneonta Gorge for the trek to Middle Oneonta Falls and Triple Falls.
The Eagle Creek Fire was in 2017, and the photos on this blog were taken in 2022, five years later. The understory is starting to come back, but it’s a long journey. The dramatic canyon topography, density of waterfalls, and great views make Triple Falls a top hike despite the fire, but it will continue to become more beautiful as the forest returns.
Triple Falls Trail Conditions and Difficulty
The Triple Falls hike is about 4 miles. The trail is pretty rocky and a bit steep, so it may not be the best fit for those with knee or ankle sensitivities. For those who dislike heights or have young children, be cognizant that the trail is close to cliff edges in some places.
There’s a fair amount of poison oak along the trail. Try to avoid touching it, as it causes an itchy rash for many people.
Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Thanks for joining us on the Triple Falls hike! For more adventure ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.
Happy exploring!
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