Willamette Falls, Oregon

Quick Facts

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Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 40′ / 12 m
Length of Hike: Roadside

The Record

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Just south of Portland, Willamette Falls is a waterfall that could be easily missed, even though it’s massive. The height of Willamette Falls is 40 feet, but it’s a staggering 1500 feet wide. It is the largest waterfall by volume in the Pacific Northwest and the second-largest in the United States by width. So how could you easily miss this waterfall? I-215 passes directly by the falls, but you can’t obtain a glance of the falls unless you stop at the Vista Point along I-205. Heading south on I-215? You won’t be able to stop. You can only pull into the lookout while traveling on the northbound side of the highway. From this vantage point, you can see the falls in their somewhat altered state. I happened to visit in the autumn, when the leaves were changing color, and I think that’s a great time to visit. The fall colors add a burst to an otherwise industrial-ish waterfall.

I wasn’t aware of other places to view the falls, but a few other options seem to exist. Much of the shoreline is historically industrial and restricted, but you might be able to view the falls from the McLoughlin Promenade on the east side of the Willamette River. There may also be viewpoints near the Museum of the Oregon Territory. Local kayak tours may also provide a closer view of the falls, which I think could be rather fun.

Directions

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1. To view the falls at the Vista Point along I-215 North, you may need to head south from Portland along I-215, exit at Exit 6, and then enter back onto I-215 heading north. I think the signs for Vista Point were clear.
2. If you want to arrive at the other locations, search for them on Google or Apple Maps.

Where in the World is Willamette Falls?

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