Overview

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

• Waterfall Type: Plunge

• Height: ~230 feet (70 m)

• Trail Distance: ~4.4 miles round-trip via the Pacific Crest Trail from Bridge of the Gods Trailhead

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Late winter through spring

History & Background

Dry Creek Falls is one of the most rewarding waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, reached via the Pacific Crest Trail from the Bridge of the Gods trailhead at Cascade Locks. The Bridge of the Gods, a steel cantilever highway bridge spanning the Columbia River, sits near the site of a legendary Native American land bridge described in tribal oral traditions as a natural stone crossing between Oregon and Washington that collapsed into the river — a story that geological evidence suggests may reflect a real landslide event around 1450 CE. The PCT corridor through this section of the Gorge offers some of the most accessible wilderness hiking near Portland, and Dry Creek Falls — plunging 230 feet in a spectacular single drop — is a highlight of the route. The area was burned by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, and the recovering forest adds an interesting dimension to the hike.

Geology

Dry Creek Falls plunges 230 feet over the sheer Columbia River Basalt cliffs that define the Columbia River Gorge, the same volcanic formation created by lava flows 6–17 million years ago that underlies all the major waterfalls in the Gorge. Dry Creek descends steeply from the forested highlands above Cascade Locks before dropping in a single dramatic plunge into a mossy basalt alcove. At 990 feet elevation, the falls are set within terrain recovering from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, which burned extensively through this section of the Gorge and opened views that were previously hidden by dense old-growth canopy.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Cascade Locks, OR

• Trail Information:

  • From the Bridge of the Gods Trailhead in Cascade Locks, follow the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) north and east for approximately 2.2 miles; the trail climbs through recovering burn area before descending to Dry Creek Falls

  • The PCT in this section crosses through 2017 Eagle Creek Fire recovery zones — expect a mix of open vistas and regenerating forest; the trail is well-maintained and clearly marked with PCT blazes

• Parking:

  • Trailhead parking near the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks; street parking available along the main road; no fee at this access point

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; moderate elevation gain on natural trail surfaces

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Peak water flow; the 230-foot plunge is most dramatic; surrounding forest lush and green; gorge wildflowers in bloom

• Summer: Reduced flow; the burn-area sections of the trail are exposed and hot — carry extra water; hike early morning

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; dramatic light in the gorge; golden grasses and recovering vegetation in the burn area

• Winter: High flows; trail generally accessible but can be muddy; the gorge corridor can be cold and wet

Nearby Attractions

• Bridge of the Gods (historic Columbia River crossing)

• Cascade Locks Marine Park

• Eagle Creek Trail (check current status)

• Bonneville Dam

• Pacific Crest Trail corridor

References

• Links:

  • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area – USFS

  • Friends of the Columbia Gorge – Dry Creek Falls

  • Pacific Crest Trail Association

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest