Best Waterfalls Near Portland You Can Reach Without a Car
No car? No problem. One of the best things about Portland is that you can get from the city to some seriously stunning waterfall country without ever renting a vehicle or calling an Uber.
The Columbia River Gorge — home to the highest concentration of waterfalls in North America — is practically on Portland’s doorstep, and there are now multiple shuttle and bus options that make it genuinely easy to get out there car-free. Bonus: skipping the parking headaches is its own reward, especially on summer weekends when the lots fill up fast.
Here are 8 waterfalls near Portland you can reach without a car, plus exactly how to get to each one.
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How to Get There Without a Car
Before we get into the falls, here’s a quick rundown of your transit options:
Columbia Gorge Express (CAT Bus) — The easiest and most popular option. Runs year-round, 7 days a week from Gateway Transit Center in Portland (accessible via MAX light rail Blue and Red lines). Drops you at Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, and Hood River. Round trip fare is around $10. Up to 8 trips per day. Bikes allowed on some buses. Check current schedules at ridecatbus.org.
Sasquatch Shuttle — Runs seasonally (late May through early September) from the Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets in Troutdale. The Express option goes straight to Multnomah Falls for $5. The Waterfall Loop tour hits Latourell, Bridal Veil, Horsetail, and Multnomah for a narrated 2.5-hour experience. Great option if you want multiple falls in one go.
Waterfall Trolley (Gray Line) — A hop-on, hop-off narrated trolley running the full 13-mile waterfall corridor along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Stops include Crown Point, Latourell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena, Multnomah, Horsetail, and more. Perfect for maximizing your waterfall day.
Now, the falls.
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1. Multnomah Falls
Oregon’s tallest waterfall at 620 feet doesn’t need much of an introduction. It’s iconic, it’s stunning, and it’s one of the most visited natural sites in the entire Pacific Northwest.
The Columbia Gorge Express drops you right at the Multnomah Falls trailhead — no permit stress, no parking lottery, just step off the bus and walk straight to the falls. The paved path to Benson Bridge is an easy 0.2 miles, or push up to the top on the 1.1-mile trail for a jaw-dropping view down the canyon.
Going car-free is genuinely the better way to do Multnomah in summer. Trust us.
Check out our full Multnomah Falls hike guide and parking tips for everything you need to know.
Get there: Columbia Gorge Express from Gateway Transit Center. Year-round.
2. Wahkeena Falls
Wahkeena Falls is just a half mile west of Multnomah along the Historic Columbia River Highway — an easy walk or short trail connection from the Multnomah stop. The 242-foot tiered falls are gorgeous, and because most people stop at Multnomah, Wahkeena tends to feel noticeably quieter.
From here you can hike the loop trail that connects Wahkeena and Multnomah through old-growth forest — one of the classic Gorge day hike options.
Get there: Walk or trail-connect from the Multnomah Falls Columbia Gorge Express stop. Also a Sasquatch Shuttle Waterfall Loop stop.
3. Horsetail Falls & Ponytail Falls
Horsetail and Ponytail Falls are two for the price of one — and one of the cooler waterfall combos in the Gorge. Horsetail is right on the highway (you can see it from the road), and a short trail leads behind Ponytail Falls so you can actually walk behind the curtain of water. That never gets old.
The trailhead parking is free for self-drivers, but getting here car-free is easy via the Sasquatch Shuttle Waterfall Loop or the Waterfall Trolley.
Get there: Sasquatch Shuttle Waterfall Loop or Waterfall Trolley hop-on stop.
4. Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls might be the prettiest waterfall in the Gorge per square inch. A 224-foot plunge drop framed by vivid yellow-green lichen on basalt columns — the color contrast is wild. It’s also one of the closest waterfalls to Portland, sitting at Exit 22 off I-84.
The hike is an easy 2.4-mile loop with the option to see Upper Latourell Falls further up the trail. Note that as of March 2026, Guy Talbot State Park (where Latourell is located) charges a day-use parking fee — another reason going car-free is smart here.
Get there: Sasquatch Shuttle Waterfall Loop or Waterfall Trolley. Also reachable via the Historic Columbia River Highway bike path for cyclists.
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5. Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil is a short but stunning two-tiered waterfall that drops around 120 feet over moss-covered basalt. It’s a quick 0.5-mile round trip hike to the base, making it a great option if you want a high-reward, low-effort stop.
There’s also a wildflower meadow trail nearby that’s lovely in spring. Like Latourell, a parking fee now applies here — shuttle beats driving.
Get there: Sasquatch Shuttle Waterfall Loop or Waterfall Trolley stop.
6. Oneonta Gorge & Triple Falls
Oneonta Gorge and the trail to Triple Falls is one of the most adventurous waterfall experiences in Oregon. Getting to the gorge involves wading through cold water and squeezing through a narrow slot canyon — and Triple Falls at the end of the longer trail is absolutely worth the effort.
The Waterfall Trolley stops at Oneonta, making this one of the more adventurous car-free waterfall options in the Gorge.
Get there: Waterfall Trolley hop-on stop.
7. Elowah Falls
Elowah Falls is a bit further east in the Gorge and one of the most dramatic and underrated waterfalls in Oregon — a 289-foot drop into a wide amphitheater basin that genuinely stops you in your tracks. The trail to Upper McCord Creek Falls nearby is also excellent.
Because it’s slightly off the main waterfall corridor, it gets far fewer visitors than Multnomah or Horsetail. The Columbia Gorge Express stops at Cascade Locks, from which Elowah is accessible on foot or by bike for the more adventurous.
Get there: Columbia Gorge Express to Cascade Locks area, then bike or hike. Best for those combining a bigger day.
8. Horsetail to Angels Rest via Trail
If you want to string together a proper hiking day car-free, the Gorge trail network connecting Angel’s Rest with the waterfall corridor is one of the best options. Angel’s Rest isn’t a waterfall itself, but the trail passes near several cascades and delivers one of the most panoramic views in the entire Gorge from the top.
The Waterfall Trolley stops at Angel’s Rest, making this a legit full car-free hiking day — bus into the Gorge, hike the ridge, hit a waterfall or two on the way back.
Get there: Waterfall Trolley hop-on stop at Angel’s Rest.
Tips for Going Car-Free in the Gorge
Book the Columbia Gorge Express in advance. Summer buses fill up, especially on sunny weekends. Check ridecatbus.org for schedules and tickets.
Get to Gateway Transit Center via MAX. The Blue and Red MAX lines both stop at Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center — from downtown Portland it’s an easy, cheap ride.
Note current road closures. A section of the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Multnomah Falls is closed through spring 2026 for road improvements. All waterfalls in this guide remain accessible via I-84 and the shuttle services above. Check ODOT TripCheck for live updates.
Go early or on weekdays. Car-free travel already solves the parking problem, but earlier starts mean less crowded trails and better light for photos.
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More Gorge Goodness
The Columbia River Gorge is one of Oregon’s absolute crown jewels. Check out our guide to the best Columbia River Gorge hikes, the best waterfalls near Portland, and our full rundown of Columbia River Gorge waterfalls for even more inspiration.
Happy waterfall chasing, friend!
