Horsetail Falls

Visiting Horsetail Falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway provides one of the most accessible and visually striking waterfall experiences in the entire Columbia River Gorge. Named for its distinct, flared shape that closely resembles the tail of a horse, the waterfall plunges down a sheer, vertical wall of dark volcanic basalt. Fed by the pristine, mountain-sourced waters of Horsetail Creek, the falls drop a dramatic 176 feet into a large, glassy splash pool below. Because it sits immediately adjacent to the driving route, travelers can marvel at its full height without ever having to lace up a pair of hiking boots.

The physical site is designed with straightforward amenities that prioritize ease of access for all types of travelers. A paved, semi-circular viewing plaza enclosed by a historic, hand-carved stone masonry wall sits right at the edge of the plunge pool, offering a safe, stable platform for taking photographs and feeling the cool, rejuvenating mist spraying off the cascade. The trailhead features a paved parking turnout directly off the historic highway, complete with informational signage detailing the local geology and plant life. While there are no restroom facilities or visitor centers right at this specific pullout, fully developed amenities are located just over two miles down the road at Multnomah Falls.

For those looking for things to do beyond the roadside overlook, Horsetail Falls serves as the gateway to an incredible network of scenic hiking trails. A short but steep climb up Horsetail Falls Trail #438 takes hikers past rugged rock faces to a highly unique point of interest: Ponytail Falls (also known as Upper Horsetail Falls). This upper cascade drops 80 feet over a deeply eroded basalt cavern, allowing the trail to pass directly behind the roaring curtain of water. From there, ambitious hikers can continue along the loop trail to witness the scenic Oneonta Gorge, making the trailhead a favorite launching pad for deeper forest exploration.

Like much of the Gorge, the environment surrounding the falls has experienced notable changes over time, particularly following the destructive Eagle Creek Fire of 2017. The intense wildfire swept through the upper canopy of Horsetail Creek's drainage basin, destabilizing the steep slopes and triggering severe rockfall hazards that closed the surrounding trail systems for years. Ongoing restoration and trail stabilization efforts by state parks and forestry crews have gradually made the upper paths safe again. Despite these natural transformations, the lower roadside viewing pool remains completely unaltered, continuing to enchant millions of road-trippers just as it did when the historic highway first opened over a century ago.

Fun Facts

Highway engineer Samuel C. Lancaster intentionally routed the roadway close to the waterfall so motorists could easily stop and enjoy the scenery.

Attraction Advice

Horsetail Falls are accessible around the clock, year-round. There is no admission fee. There are no restrooms at the falls, with the nearest public restroom located about six miles away at Multnomah Falls. Dogs are allowed in the area of the falls and on the trails around it, but must be kept on a leash.