It’s an underrated gem, and one of my favorite waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge… with one of the shortest (but most rewarding) hikes. Since moving to Portland, I’ve been to Latourell Falls countless times. The drive there is short and sweet… and the payoff looks like it’s something out of a dream.

Have you wondered about how to get to Latourell Falls, the hike, or the parking? Or the pronunciation? Keep scrolling to read my complete guide to Latourell Falls- all of the info you never thought you needed. I’ll even include how to have a Latourell Falls wedding.

Latourell Falls is a must visit if you’re visiting Portland. As an elopement photographer, it’s one of my favorite places to photograph couples, and as a hiker, it’s one of my favorite day trips within an hour of Portland!

Index

Directions
When to Visit
Parking Information
Hike Information
Tips
Wedding Information

Latourell Falls Complete Guide

Directions

The directions to Latourell Falls from Portland are pretty simple. Take either I-5 S or I-205 to I-84 E. Once you reach I-84 E, keep heading east for about 28 miles, until you reach exit 28. From there, take a right onto Historic Columbia River Highway to backtrack west towards the falls. From here, you’ll reach Latourell Falls in about 3 miles, or 7 minutes. Overall, with no traffic, the journey from Portland is about 40 minutes.

Although slightly longer at ~45 minutes, I highly recommend taking a more scenic route on your way home. Turn left out of the parking lot at Latourell Falls to head west, and stay on the Historic Columbia River Highway for 2.5 miles. This will take you to the Vista House. (which you might have seen from below on your drive in!) Built in 1918, the Vista House is situated on a cliff 733 feet above the Columbia River Gorge and offers incredible views from above.

The road to the falls is very accessible, and a 2 wheel drive car should be able to reach it with no issues at all. Be weary in the winter for icy road conditions if it snows.

When to visit

Latourell Falls is a great spot to visit year-round. I’ve visited in every season… summer, winter, fall, and spring… and personally favor each time of year for different reasons.

SPRING

The spring at Latourell Falls is beautiful because the temperatures are beginning to warm up, the wildflowers are blooming, and the crowds are still at a minimum. The waterfall is still powerful from the melting snow in the mountains!

SUMMER

The summer has more cons of visiting than any other season, but one pro outweighs them all- the summer heat. Especially if you want to explore underneath the waterfall, you won’t leave the falls freezing cold! However- it is more crowded in the summer since there are more tourists visiting Portland, and the waterfall itself may be smaller due to the drier months.

FALL

The fall at Latourell Falls varies a ton. On the bright side- there are less people around. The weather may be hit or miss- varying between sunny days and colder, rainy days. In my opinion, they’re both beautiful… and personally, I think the gorge is one of the prettiest places on Earth in the cool, foggy weather. As we escape the dry summer, the waterfall will get bigger and bigger and the environment more and more green and lush. You’ll want to bring boots for the mud you may run into, but don’t let that stop you!

WINTER

I love the winter at Latourell for a few reasons. The first- it’s pretty empty, as not many people are willing to face the cold. The second- the waterfall is at it’s most powerful. Lastly- you’ll usually catch some fog in the mountains in the gorge, which as a photographer, is one of my favorite things in the world! Although cold and muddy, the the winter in the gorge is extremely underrated.

Parking

There’s a specified parking lot at Latourell Falls, with a sufficient amount of street parking. There’s also a bathroom attached to the parking lot.

If you’re visiting during the summer or on a weekend, I highly recommend aiming to arrive at Latourell early- although this isn’t always the case, I’ve definitely seen the parking lot hit it’s max quite a few times.

Parking areas circled in red. Screenshot from Google Maps.

Hike Information

Screenshot Courtesy of All Trails. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/oregon/latourell-falls-loop-trail

Once you arrive at Latourell Falls you’ll see two entrances for hikes.

To your left, you’ll find a trail that goes uphill. This will take you to a viewpoint of the lower falls. Once you pass this, you’ll begin to embark on the 2 miles loop, and reach the upper falls.

To your right, there will be a trail that goes downhill. This trail will bring you on a short walk to the lower falls. This is personally the trail I take most often for photo sessions. It’s a quick, easy walk to explore right underneath the falls, and the lower falls has a much larger drop. After you reach the lower falls, you can continue on the loop trail to visit the Upper Falls.

I definitely recommend wearing boots with high traction- the trail can get pretty muddy and slippery.

The trail will be crowded if you decide to go to the falls on a weekend or during the summer. Make sure to prepare in advance- I recommend leaving for your hike early or aiming to go on a weekday. Weekday mornings are typically the least popular time to visit.

HIKE STATS:

Rated: Moderate

Distance: 2.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 643 feet

Tips

There are two trails- if you only want to hike to the lower falls, stay on the downhill trail to the right.
The hike is kid friendly, but if going in the winter make sure they’re wearing proper footwear.
Bring boots with traction- the trail can get muddy/slippery, especially in the winter.
Plan your visit to aim for a weekday or morning to avoid crowds.
If you want to hike under the falls, be prepared to get wet!

Latourell Falls Wedding

Jamie and Ian’s Lower Latourell Falls Elopement, summer 2018. Photo: Together Theory.

As a wedding/elopement photographer, I’ve been to Latourell Falls various times, whether it be for engagement sessions, or elopements. The falls is a perfect place for an elopement or wedding.

One of my biggest tips if you’re looking to get married at Latourell Falls is to plan for an off season to get married. In the summer at Latourell, I’ve had to photoshop multiple people out of photos for my clients- on the flip side, I’ve been to Latourell Falls in the morning in the fall/winter and have only seen a few people there if any. I highly prioritize privacy for my couples- on such a significant moment in your life, it’s important to be able to feel free and like you and your partner are the only two people in the world.

Currently as of 2020 the Columbia River Gorge does not require any permits to get married at Latourell Falls.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend having a full wedding at Latourell Falls, as there’s not much room for it! Here are some suggestions:

Elope with just the two of you
Have an intimate/micro wedding with your closest friends/family
Have a small ceremony at Latourell Falls and a larger reception later in the day at a close-by venue, like Bridal Veil Lakes or somewhere in Portland.

The great part about the lower falls is that with exceptions, it’s pretty family friendly. Although it may get muddy/slippery, the hike is easy and only about 5 minutes long to get to the bottom of the waterfall, making it so you can bring some family and friends along! ***If you’re invested in eloping with family, click HERE to learn more about how to plan your day.

Wondering what an elopement is? Click to read my blog post “What is an Elopement?”

Looking for a photographer? Head to my home page to learn more.