Multnomah Falls — Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

AddressMultnomah Falls, Interstate 84 Exit 31, Columbia River Gorge, OR (location descriptor as published - no street number is published for the falls)

HoursThe falls and trails are open year-round. Lodge hours Not confirmed. A Timed Use Permit is required for the I-84 Exit 31 parking lot May 22-Sep 7, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily.

PricesFree (no entrance fee for the falls)

Price notesThe seasonal Timed Use Permit for the Exit 31 lot is $2 per vehicle per summaries of Recreation.gov. No permit is required on the Historic Columbia River Highway (US 30) in 2026.

Age notesNo age guidance published (free site); age bands are a conservative whole-family recommendation only - see report. Steep upper trails suit older children.

BookingTimed Use Permit required May 22-Sep 7, 2026 (9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) for one private vehicle and its occupants using the I-84 Exit 31 lot; permits are sold only online at Recreation.gov or its app (not on site), released 14 days ahead (primary release, 7 a.m. PST) and 2 days ahead (secondary release).

Suggested timeAbout 2 hours

ParkingI-84 Exit 31 lot (timed permit in season, see resNote) and Historic Columbia River Highway (US 30) parking. The permit does not guarantee a parking space.

Hours in detailThe falls and trails are open year-round (data.json). The Timed Use Permit regime runs May 22-Sep 7, 2026, 9:00am-6:00pm daily, for the I-84 Exit 31 lot (Recreation.gov page fetched this pass). Lodge hours not confirmed.

Tickets & bookingTimed Use Permit detail (Recreation.gov, fetched this pass): required only for one private vehicle and its occupants using the I-84 Exit 31 lot, 9am-6pm, May 22-Sep 7, 2026; permits are sold ONLY online at Recreation.gov or its app (never on site, and the Forest Service office and Visitor Center have no additional permits). Release waves: 14 days ahead (primary, 7am PST) and 2 days ahead (secondary), on an hourly basis. Limit: two permits per day. A permit does NOT guarantee parking. Arrive at your one-hour slot time; you may stay longer than an hour but cannot re-enter on an expired permit, and modifications must be made by midnight on the day of arrival. No permit is needed via the Historic Columbia River Highway (US 30), by shuttle/transit, or by bicycle. A limited number of free permits are available first-come at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center (Troutdale) and Cascade Locks Historical Museum. Base data priced the permit at $2 per vehicle from Recreation.gov summaries.

ParkingI-84 Exit 31 lot (permit in season, see booking) and Historic Columbia River Highway (US 30) parking; the US 30 lot is small, privately operated and paid, with six ADA parking spots for valid placard holders, and when it is full vehicles may not stop or wait. ODOT TripCheck shows real-time Exit 31 lot capacity. Cell service is limited around the falls - download the permit before travelling (Recreation.gov page fetched this pass).

Age notesNo age guidance published; steep upper trails suit older children (data.json).

Family facilitiesAlert on the official page: the public restrooms inside Multnomah Falls Lodge are under renovation through November 2026; portable toilets are available but limited - plan accordingly (Recreation.gov page fetched this pass).

Seasonal notesWater flow over the falls is usually highest in winter and spring (Recreation.gov). Falls receive 1.3M+ visitors a year; the permit season is the congestion peak.