Hike to Oneonta Falls

From the interstate traveling east from Portland, turn onto the Historic Columbia River Highway. The trailhead is about 1.5 miles from the Ainsworth exit. There is parking, although limited amounts, and this trail gets extremely trafficked on summer weekends. Another reason to avoid peak hours/days.

This hike is just over a half mile, round trip. The majority of the path up Oneonta Gorge is the center of a shallow creek. Walk up the creek, which is rocky and pretty difficult to navigate without waterproof shoes.

When you reach a large log jam, the slot canyon will begin to rise taller around the creek. Be wary of the stability of these logs as you move over them, and be aware that the creek soon becomes a bit deeper. The water will rise up to your waist by the time you reach a pool in front of the main waterfall.

Great photographs of the waterfall are usually shot in the morning or afternoon light! On sunny days, you'll find beams of light shining across the falls.