Overview

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

• Waterfall Type: Plunge

• Height: ~82 feet (25 m) — walk-behind waterfall

• Trail Distance: ~2.7 miles round-trip from the Horsetail Falls parking area

• Difficulty: Medium

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

History & Background

Ponytail Falls — officially called Upper Horsetail Falls — is an 82-foot walk-behind plunge in the Columbia River Gorge, one of the most enchanting waterfall experiences in Oregon. The water plunges over a wide basalt overhang and fans behind it to form a natural alcove, allowing hikers on the trail to walk directly behind the cascading curtain. The Horsetail Falls trail, which visits both lower Horsetail Falls (176 ft, roadside) and Ponytail Falls (0.9 miles up the trail), is among the most accessible walk-behind waterfall experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Though the Oneonta Gorge corridor was significantly impacted by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, which burned across much of this section of the gorge, the Horsetail Falls trail has been reopened and fire recovery vegetation adds a vivid, dynamic quality to the formerly dense forest.

Geology

Ponytail Falls plunges 82 feet over the edge of a Columbia River Basalt overhang at approximately 400 feet elevation, with the water fanning behind the lip to create the walk-behind alcove. The overhang geometry reflects the way this particular basalt ledge extends beyond the softer material below — unlike Silver Falls State Park where water erodes behind the falls, here the structural overhang is a feature of the basalt’s original form. The Columbia River Basalt throughout this section of the gorge was deposited by lava flows 6–17 million years ago that periodically dammed the ancient Columbia River and inundated the gorge.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Corbett, OR; Portland, OR (~30 miles west via I-84)

• Trail Information:

  • From the Horsetail Falls parking area off I-84 Exit 28 (Historic Columbia River Highway), walk 0.9 miles on the Horsetail Falls Trail through the post-fire recovering forest to reach Ponytail Falls; the trail passes directly behind the curtain through the natural alcove

  • Continuing beyond Ponytail Falls connects to the Oneonta Gorge upper trail to Triple Falls (~1.5 miles more); check current trail conditions post-2017 Eagle Creek Fire; Oregon State Parks day-use fee or pass required

• Parking:

  • Horsetail Falls parking area off the Historic Columbia River Highway at I-84 Exit 28; Oregon State Parks day-use fee; fills quickly on spring and summer weekends

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; 0.9-mile trail with elevation gain on natural surfaces

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Full flows; the walk-behind alcove is most misty and immersive; gorge forest recovery vivid green

• Summer: Lower flows but still impressive; very popular; arrive early to secure parking

• Fall: Flows returning with October rains; fire recovery maple and vine maple turn brilliant gold

• Winter: Full flows; trail open year-round; icy conditions possible near the falls

Nearby Attractions

• Horsetail Falls (176 ft, roadside, same parking area)

• Oneonta Gorge (slot canyon wading)

• Triple Falls (~1.5 miles past Ponytail)

• Multnomah Falls (~5 miles east)

• Latourell Falls (~3 miles west)

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