Overview

• Location: Columbia County, Northern Oregon

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~15 feet (5 m)

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

• Difficulty: Easy

• Best Time to Visit: Fall through spring

History & Background

Bonnie Falls is a small roadside horsetail waterfall in Columbia County, tucked into the forested hills of northern Oregon near the community of Rainier on the south bank of the Columbia River. The Columbia County region was settled by Euro-Americans in the mid-1800s, drawn first by the fur trade and then by the timber and agricultural potential of the lower Columbia River valley. The forested hills above Rainier contain numerous small creeks and cascades that flow seasonally through a landscape of logged and regrown Douglas fir forest. Bonnie Falls is a pleasant roadside stop for travelers passing through the region.

Geology

Bonnie Falls flows over Columbia River Basalt, the massive volcanic formation that underlies the Columbia Plateau and much of northern Oregon. The lava flows that created this basalt occurred between 6 and 17 million years ago and have been deeply incised by rivers and streams since. The surrounding forest of Douglas fir, red alder, and big-leaf maple reflects the moist coastal climate of the lower Columbia River valley, which receives substantial annual rainfall from Pacific weather systems.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Rainier, OR; Clatskanie, OR (~10 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • Very short path from a roadside pullout leads directly to the base of the falls

  • The surrounding creek corridor can be explored informally; terrain is gentle and forested

• Parking:

  • Roadside pullout directly adjacent to the falls; space for a few vehicles

• Accessibility:

  • Short, flat access path from the roadside; generally accessible for most visitors

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Strong flows from spring rains; surrounding alder and maple leaf out in vivid green

• Summer: Reduced flow; shaded and cool; good for a quick stop on a road trip

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; fall foliage from maple and alder adds color

• Winter: Highest flow of the year; road access remains easy; potential ice formations in cold snaps

Nearby Attractions

• Rainier, Oregon

• Columbia River

• Lewis & Clark National Historical Park (Fort Clatsop)

• Astoria (~35 miles west)

• Youngs River Falls

References

• Links:

  • Columbia County Tourism

  • Travel Oregon – Northern Oregon

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest