Overview

• Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (near Corbett)

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~150 feet (46 m)

• Trail Distance: Short walk from roadside parking; less than 0.25 miles to the base

• Difficulty: Easy

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round; best flow in late winter and spring

History & Background

Coopey Falls is a dramatic 150-foot horsetail waterfall on Coopey Creek in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, located along the Historic Columbia River Highway near the community of Bridal Veil. The waterfall takes its name from Charles Coopey, a Portland businessman who owned land in the Gorge during the early 20th century. The falls are situated along the Angels Rest Trail corridor, one of the more popular hikes in the western Columbia River Gorge. The surrounding area was part of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area when it was established by Congress in 1986 to permanently protect the visual, natural, and cultural resources of this iconic landscape.

Geology

Coopey Falls cascades over the Columbia River Basalt that forms the sheer cliff walls throughout the Columbia River Gorge. The basalt here was emplaced by massive lava flows between 6 and 17 million years ago, and subsequent erosion by the Columbia River and its tributaries—accelerated by the catastrophic Missoula Floods at the end of the last ice age—carved the dramatic canyon visible today. The horsetail form of Coopey Falls reflects the tendency of water on the steep, smooth basalt faces to maintain contact with the cliff throughout its descent. The surrounding forest of Douglas fir, bigleaf maple, and vine maple is characteristic of the moist western Gorge microclimate.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Corbett, OR; Portland, OR (~30 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • Short, easy path from the roadside parking area along the Historic Columbia River Highway leads directly to the base of the falls; the Angels Rest Trail continues steeply above for those seeking longer hikes

  • The full Angels Rest Trail continues approximately 2.3 miles to the Angels Rest viewpoint with panoramic views of the Gorge; the trail passes through the burn area of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire

• Parking:

  • Roadside parking along the Historic Columbia River Highway near the Coopey Falls trailhead; no fee; parking can be limited on busy spring weekends

• Accessibility:

  • The short path to the falls base is relatively flat and accessible; the Angels Rest Trail above is steep and not accessible

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Peak flow from Gorge rains and snowmelt; the 150-foot curtain is at its most powerful; surrounding forest emerald green

• Summer: Reduced flow; the trail to Angels Rest offers excellent views above the Gorge; popular hiking corridor

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; fall color from maple and vine maple is exceptional in the Gorge

• Winter: High flows and dramatic atmosphere; road remains accessible; icy conditions possible near the falls spray zone

Nearby Attractions

• Angels Rest Viewpoint

• Latourell Falls

• Bridal Veil Falls

• Multnomah Falls (~10 miles east)

• Crown Point Vista House

References

• Links:

  • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area – USFS

  • Oregon Hikers – Angels Rest Trail

  • Travel Oregon – Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest