Profile

Overview

Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area / Mount Hood National Forest (Starvation Creek area, Hood River County)
Waterfall Type: Horsetail
Height: ~410 feet (125 m) total — though only the lower 20–35 feet are typically visible from trail viewpoints
Trail Distance: ~1.9 miles round-trip from Starvation Creek Trailhead on the paved Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
Difficulty: Medium
Best Time to Visit: Year-round; best flow late winter through spring

History & Background

Lancaster Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge — a towering horsetail that drops approximately 410 feet on Wonder Creek — yet most visitors who hike to it see only the final 20–35 feet of the lowest tier, because the massive upper falls are hidden behind a screen of trees above the trail viewpoint. The name honors Samuel Lancaster, the visionary civil engineer who designed the Historic Columbia River Highway between 1913 and 1922, one of the most celebrated scenic highways in American history. Lancaster himself was deeply moved by the natural beauty of the Gorge and designed the highway as much as a scenic experience as a transportation corridor. The falls that bear his name can be seen in their full, towering extent only from Highway 14 on the Washington side of the Columbia — a striking sight that reveals the scale hidden from hikers below. Lancaster Falls is the fourth waterfall encountered on the westward paved trail from Starvation Creek State Park, following Starvation Creek Falls, Cabin Creek Falls, and Hole-in-the-Wall Falls.

Geology

Lancaster Falls descends 410 feet over the Columbia River Basalt of the gorge’s east wall in Hood River County, part of the same volcanic formation created by lava flows 6–17 million years ago that underlies all the major waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge. Wonder Creek originates from springs higher on the gorge wall, and its flow can diminish significantly in dry summer months — the springs absorbing into the talus slope below the falls before reaching the highway. The lower visible tier is set against a mossy basalt cliff typical of the gorge’s abundant moisture and shade in this east-west canyon.

Directions & Access

Nearest City: Cascade Locks, OR (~8 miles west); Hood River, OR (~10 miles east)
Trail Information:
- From Starvation Creek State Park (I-84 Exit 55, eastbound only), follow the paved Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail west for ~0.95 miles; continue past Hole-in-the-Wall Falls and over the Warren Creek Bridge to a short spur trail leading left to the base of Lancaster Falls’ lowest tier
- The trail is paved to Hole-in-the-Wall Falls, then becomes a steeper dirt path to Lancaster Falls; the viewpoint reveals only the bottom 20–35 feet — cross the Columbia and look south from WA Highway 14 for the full 410-foot height; Oregon State Parks day-use fee required
Parking:
- Starvation Creek State Park parking lot off I-84 Exit 55; restrooms on site; Oregon State Parks pass or $10 day-use fee required
Accessibility:
- The paved trail is universally accessible to Hole-in-the-Wall Falls; the final section to Lancaster Falls is a steeper dirt trail, not wheelchair accessible

Best Time to Visit

Spring: Peak flows; all four Starvation Creek waterfalls running powerfully; the upper portions of Lancaster Falls most active
Summer: Reduced flow — Wonder Creek can diminish significantly; the paved trail is pleasant for cycling and family walks
Fall: Flows return with October rains; beautiful bigleaf maple color in the gorge; less crowded
Winter: High flows; trail generally accessible year-round; the hidden upper falls most dramatic after storms

Nearby Attractions

Starvation Creek Falls (190 ft)
Hole-in-the-Wall Falls (96 ft, man-made)
Cabin Creek Falls (220 ft)
Mount Defiance Trail (most strenuous hike in the Gorge)
Hood River

References

Links:
Books:
- Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb
- Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest

Lancaster Falls