What You Need to Know to Visit the Waterfalls of the Oregon Gorge
2023 details will be updated in the spring
As of Sept. 6, 2022: Timed Use Permits for the Waterfall Corridor and Multnomah Falls are now complete for the 2022 season. No permits are needed until spring 2023. If you plan to drive your car along the Gorge Waterfall Corridor this year, you’ll need to plan your trip ahead of time and purchase a timed permit. Between May 24 and Sept. 5, 2022, a timed-access permit will be required for each personal vehicle driven on the Historic Columbia River Highway from 9 am to 6 pm between Vista House and Ainsworth State Park. You can get all the current details here.
But we have a better idea—take transit instead and avoid permits and parking hassles. CAT’s Columbia Gorge Express (CGE) can take you to Multnomah Falls from Hood River or Portland (at Gateway), with stops in Cascade Locks and Troutdale.
When you take CAT transit:
- You won’t have to get a Multnomah Falls parking permit which is required for those with cars.
- From Multnomah Falls you can connect to the Gray Line Waterfall Trolley or the Sasquatch Shuttle to visit the waterfalls and avoid having to find parking or purchase a timed permit. NOTE: If you plan to ride multiple forms of transit to tour the Gorge and waterfalls, we encourage you to buy your bus passes/fares and tour tickets.
- You can take your bike on the bus and then ride your bike along the waterfalls—no permit required, and you can stay as long as you like.
By taking transit to visit Multnomah Falls and the Gorge Waterfall Corridor, you also support reducing congestion and pollution—helping to preserve the Gorge for all to enjoy.
Consider a One-Day Gorge Transit Pass or the Annual GOrge Pass for easy travel throughout the I-84 corridor.
