Overview

• Location: Multnomah County, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Tanner Creek, near Cascade Locks)

• Waterfall Type: Plunge

• Height: ~100 feet (30 m)

• Trail Distance: ~1.8 miles round-trip via Wahclella Falls Trail

• Difficulty: Medium

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

History & Background

Tanner Creek Falls is a 100-foot plunge on Tanner Creek at the head of the Wahclella Falls Trail gorge — a dramatic secondary waterfall visible from the upper portion of the Wahclella Falls loop trail in the Columbia River Gorge. While Wahclella Falls (65 ft) at the end of the canyon receives most visitor attention, Tanner Creek Falls plunges powerfully from a side drainage above, creating a spectacular pair of falls visible from the trail junction near the canyon head. The Wahclella Falls Trail is frequently cited as one of the best short waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge — a 1.8-mile loop through a narrow basalt canyon with wooden bridges, mossy walls, and two significant waterfalls. The trail takes its name from a Chinook word, and the canyon’s intimate character makes it a perennial favorite even among regular gorge visitors.

Geology

Tanner Creek Falls plunges 100 feet over the Columbia River Basalt at approximately 100 feet elevation, dropping from a side tributary of Tanner Creek into the head of the Wahclella Falls gorge. The canyon itself is a narrow slot carved through the Columbia River Basalt, and the falls reflect the dramatic height difference between the tributary drainage and the main canyon floor. The western Columbia River Gorge receives abundant annual precipitation, sustaining the lush, perpetually moist environment of moss-draped basalt and towering Douglas fir and bigleaf maple.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Cascade Locks, OR (~4 miles east); Portland, OR (~35 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • From I-84 Exit 40 (Bonneville Dam), follow signs to the Wahclella Falls Trailhead (a short drive east of the exit); hike the 1.8-mile loop trail into the Tanner Creek gorge — both Wahclella Falls and Tanner Creek Falls are visible from the upper loop

  • The Wahclella Falls loop is one of the finest short hikes in the gorge; Northwest Forest Pass required; dogs are permitted but not recommended due to tight trail sections near the canyon walls

• Parking:

  • Wahclella Falls Trailhead parking area off I-84 Exit 40; Northwest Forest Pass required

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; the loop trail involves narrow canyon sections and wooden bridges

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Full flows; both falls at their most powerful; the gorge is spectacularly mossy and green

• Summer: Lower flows; the shaded canyon provides cool hiking on hot days; very popular

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; bigleaf maple turns vivid gold in the canyon

• Winter: Full flows; trail open year-round; the enclosed gorge is dramatic in winter conditions

Nearby Attractions

• Wahclella Falls (65 ft, same trail — the main destination)

• Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery

• Cascade Locks (Bridge of the Gods)

• Munra Falls (~1 mile east)

• Eagle Creek Trail (~2 miles east)

References

• Links:

  • Columbia River Gorge NSA – USFS

  • Travel Oregon – Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest