Multnomah Falls Parking: Permits, Lots, and How to Skip the Car

Multnomah Falls is one of the most visited spots in Oregon. Which means the hardest part of seeing it usually isn’t the hike. It’s the parking.

The parking rules trip a lot of people up. So here’s exactly how parking works, plus the easiest ways to skip the car altogether.

1. Park at the Main Multnomah Falls Lot (I-84, Exit 31)

This is the big one. The lot sits right in the middle of I-84, between the eastbound and westbound lanes, and you get to it from Exit 31 (the off-ramp is on the left). From there, you walk through a short tunnel under the freeway and the train tracks to the lodge and the falls.

From late May to early September, you need a timed use permit to park here between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Here’s how it works:

• Book online: Grab a time slot on Recreation.gov. It costs a $2 reservation fee per car. Most permits drop two weeks ahead, and a few more open up a couple of days before.
• Or get a free one in person: A limited number of same-day permits are handed out at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and the Cascade Locks Historical Museum. First come, first served.
• Show up in your window: Your permit gives you a one-hour arrival slot. Once you’re in, stay as long as you want.
• It’s not a guaranteed spot: The permit gets you in, but you still have to find a space.

Outside those hours and dates, no permit needed. Show up before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. in summer, or anytime from fall through spring, and just park. It’s still busy on nice weekends, though, so go early.

2. Park at the Lodge Lot (Historic Columbia River Highway)

There’s also a small lot right across from Multnomah Falls Lodge on the Historic Columbia River Highway. It’s the closest parking to the falls, so it’s tempting.

But it’s tiny, it’s privately run, and it charges a fee (first come, first served). In summer, it fills up fast. A couple of quick notes:

• No shoulder parking: You can’t park along the Historic Highway, and they do ticket.
• Accessible parking: There are two ADA spots here for drivers with a valid placard. The main I-84 lot also has accessible parking.
• Big rigs: The historic viaducts on either side of the falls are only open to vehicles under 35 feet. RVs and trailers should use the I-84 lot.

3. Take a Waterfall Shuttle Tour

If you don’t want to think about parking at all, the Multnomah Falls waterfall shuttle is the easy button. You hop on, they drive, and the shuttle has reserved parking at every stop.

And it doesn’t just go to Multnomah. It hits several waterfalls along the Historic Highway plus Vista House at Crown Point, with time to get out and walk around at each one. No permits, no circling the lot.

4. E-Bike the Historic Highway

For a more adventurous day, take a self-guided e-bike tour. You get an e-bike, a route, and free parking at the shop, then cruise the Historic Columbia River Highway from waterfall to waterfall at your own pace.

5. Ride the Columbia Gorge Express Bus

The Columbia Gorge Express is a public bus that runs 7 days a week from Portland’s Gateway Transit Center and Troutdale to Multnomah Falls, then on to Cascade Locks and Hood River.

It’s cheap, you don’t need a permit, and it drops you right at the falls. Just check the schedule ahead of time, especially for the ride back, since buses run a set number of trips each day.

6. Other Shuttles and Ride-Shares

• Private shuttles: A few companies run direct shuttles or hop-on, hop-off trolleys along the waterfall corridor in summer, leaving from spots like Troutdale and Corbett. Check what’s running before your trip.
• Uber and Lyft: You can get dropped off right at the falls. Getting a ride back is the tricky part, since cell service is spotty and drivers aren’t always nearby. Have a backup plan.

Where to Stay Near Multnomah Falls

Troutdale is the closest town on the Portland side, right where the Historic Highway starts. Hood River is a bit farther east but way more fun, with breweries, wind sports, and the Fruit Loop. Or just day trip from Portland.

Best Time to Visit Multnomah Falls

Want the easiest parking? Timing is everything.

• Go early: Before 9 a.m. in summer, you skip the permit AND the crowds. The morning light on the falls is gorgeous too.
• Go on a weekday: Weekends are packed year-round.
• Go in the off-season: From fall through spring, there’s no permit and way fewer people. Spring is peak flow, and fall brings golden leaves.
• Winter heads-up: The trail above Benson Bridge can close when spray freezes on the path.

Make a Day of It

Multnomah is the star, but it’s not the only show in town. From the main lot, you can walk the trail along the highway to Wahkeena Falls, a splashy 242-foot cascade just to the west.

With a car, a bike, or a shuttle, keep going to Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil, Horsetail, and the views from Vista House at Crown Point. Our Multnomah Falls hike guide also covers the six-waterfall loop that starts right from the lodge.

Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Get to Multnomah Falls

If you’re driving, grab your timed permit for summer (or just go before 9 a.m.), and have patience in the lot.

We hope this helps you pick the easiest way to get to Multnomah Falls!

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