Overview

• Location: Multnomah County, Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area (Columbia River Gorge, near Corbett)

• Waterfall Type: Plunge

• Height: ~60 feet (18 m)

• Trail Distance: Short walk from roadside; approximately 0.1–0.2 miles

• Difficulty: Easy

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

History & Background

Shepperd’s Dell Falls is a graceful 60-foot plunge visible from one of the Historic Columbia River Highway’s most elegant stone bridges, making it one of the most photographed and most accessible falls in the Columbia River Gorge. George Shepperd donated the property to the state in 1915 in memory of his wife, and the dell and falls have been part of Oregon’s park system ever since. The stone arch bridge spanning the gorge above the falls was built as part of Samuel Lancaster’s landmark Historic Columbia River Highway — considered an engineering and aesthetic masterpiece — and the composition of the arch bridge framing the falls below has appeared on countless postcards and guidebook covers since the highway’s completion in 1922. The state natural area preserves the intimate, fern-draped gorge carved by Young Creek through the basalt plateau.

Geology

Shepperd’s Dell Falls plunges 60 feet over a Columbia River Basalt ledge at approximately 130 feet elevation on Young Creek, a small tributary that drops steeply from the forested plateau above to the gorge floor. The basalt here — formed by lava flows 6–17 million years ago — has been carved into a narrow slot canyon by the creek, creating the intimate ‘dell’ character of the site. The perpetually moist, shaded microclimate of the gorge supports extraordinarily lush fern and moss communities on the canyon walls.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Corbett, OR (~5 miles east on Historic Columbia River Highway); Portland, OR (~25 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • From the Historic Columbia River Highway (I-84 Exit 28), drive west approximately 2 miles to the Shepperd’s Dell parking area; a short path from the parking area leads under the beautiful stone bridge to the falls viewpoint in the narrow gorge below

  • Shepperd’s Dell is part of a natural cluster of gorge waterfalls accessible from the Historic Highway — Latourell Falls (249 ft) is 1.5 miles west, and Bridal Veil Falls is nearby to the east; together these make for an exceptional lower western gorge waterfall loop

• Parking:

  • Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area parking pullout on the Historic Columbia River Highway; no fee

• Accessibility:

  • Short, mostly flat walk from the road to the viewpoint under the bridge; generally accessible for most visitors

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows; the gorge is spectacularly lush; the historic bridge above frames the falls perfectly

• Summer: Lower flows; popular gorge driving corridor; beautiful setting year-round

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; bigleaf maple color in the dell is vivid

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

Nearby Attractions

• Latourell Falls (249 ft, ~1.5 miles west)

• Bridal Veil Falls (~2 miles east)

• Crown Point Vista House (~3 miles east)

• Angels Rest Trail (~5 miles east)

• Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint

References

• Links:

  • Oregon State Parks – Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area

  • Travel Oregon – Columbia River Gorge Historic Highway Waterfalls

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest