Multnomah Falls drops 611 feet in two tiers on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, making it the tallest waterfall in Oregon and one of the most visited natural attractions in the Pacific Northwest. The Benson Bridge spans the falls between the upper and lower drops, providing a mid-level vantage point that no other major US waterfall offers.

Best Time to Shoot

Overcast days are ideal — the waterfall is lit evenly and the gorge walls show full color saturation without harsh shadows. Peak flow is March through May. Summer weekends are extremely crowded; visit early morning on weekdays or in November-February when flow is still high but visitor numbers drop significantly.

How to Get There

Multnomah Falls Lodge is off Interstate 84 Exit 31, 30 miles east of Portland. A timed entry permit is required from May through October ($2 per vehicle) — reserve at recreation.gov. The base area is paved and accessible. The Benson Bridge is a 5-minute walk up. The top-of-falls viewpoint is a 2.2-mile round trip with 690 feet of gain.

Camera Settings

At the base: 16-24mm, f/11-f/16, ISO 100, 1/2 to 2 seconds on a tripod for silky water. Polarizer is essential — it cuts the mist haze and brings out the gorge greens. From the Benson Bridge: 24-35mm frames both tiers cleanly.

Recommended Gear for This Spot

Common Mistakes

  • Shooting in direct afternoon sun, which creates hard shadows across the rock face.
  • Forgetting a rain cover: the mist zone at the base soaks gear faster than rain.
  • Not checking the permit requirement before driving out — the lot fills by 7 a.m. on summer weekends without a reservation.
  • Shooting only from the base: the Benson Bridge view is more interesting and far less crowded.

A Columbia River Gorge waterfall photography tour covers Multnomah, Latourell, and Crown Point in one guided day with guaranteed timed entry. Browse Multnomah Falls photography tours to find options that fit your schedule.

For more location guides like this, see the Landscape Photography Guide on Shut Your Aperture. Browse all spots on the USA OR photo spots hub.