Beautiful Waterfall Near Portland – Latourell Falls

Latourell Falls is a gorgeous waterfall hike near Portland. If you didn’t already know, there are tons of amazing hikes and waterfalls literally right next to Portland.

If there’s an American city Jo and I (Dom) could live in it would definitely be Portland. If only it wasn’t so damn expensive to live there.

Anyways, back to Latourell Falls. This beauty is located along the Columbia River Gorge and is one of multiple hikes we recommend to do on the stretch between Portland and Hood River.

The highway and the entire area is so scenic, and we just fell in love with it right away.

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What to expect when visiting Latourell Falls

Last week we mentioned the Multnomah Falls hike which is mindblowing in it’s own way for the sheer beauty of the iconic waterfall.

However, it attracts so many tourists which is a bit of a downside to it.

So this week we decided to share Latourell Falls which is super close to Multnomah but slightly less touristy.

Thankfully, not all the tour busses visit Latourell and not everyone knows about the falls which makes it a bit more local of a hike.

…But still touristy compared to many other places simply due to the fact this area is so close to Portland and therefore easy to access.

Regardless though (tourists or not) it’s well worth hiking and visiting all the waterfalls you can.

If you end up camping in the area and have time to do multiple hikes while you’re in the Portland and Mt Hood area then we have some great hikes to recommend. Especially if you love waterfalls. 

Oregon was basically just a month of yummy street food and chasing waterfalls. Yes, we know we checked off all the cliches associated with Portland and its surroundings but they were totally worth it!

Practical information about Latourell Falls

Distance: 4 km return / 2.5 miles return
Elevation: 213 m / 698 ft. elevation gain
Type: Loop trail (these are fun) =)
Length: 1-1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Here’s a trailmap of the Latourell Falls hike near Portland.

Hiking Tip: Look up the trail on AllTrails before starting your hike 🗺️. You can find important trail information such as recent wildlife sights and trail closures. Check out the free version here or get a 7-day free trial of AllTrails+ here.

About Latourell Falls Loop Trail

Latourell Falls can be found on the Historic Columbia River Highway that runs parallel with the Columbia River Gorge which is one of the most beautiful sections of highway in Oregon.

This 75 mile road is also the oldest scenic highway in America. Fun fact of the day! =)

The area between Portland and Hood River along the Columbia River Gorge literally has so many amazing hikes.

The reason we chose Latourell Falls was because we wanted to do a waterfall hike near Portland. This one was one of the first to pop up so we thought ‘why not?’

It was perfect too, we only had the afternoon to do the hike and Latourell loop trail can easily be done in 3-4 hours (including driving there and back) from Portland.

Since the hike itself isn’t too long and the drive isn’t that far either, this waterfall hike near Portland can easily be done in an afternoon.

The reward to effort ratio is great! With lush green forest, flowing water, stunning waterfall, and wildlife you can see it all at Latourell Falls.

Gorgeous waterfall hike near Portland – Latourell Falls

Latourell Falls loop trail is an easy to moderate laid back hike with plenty of opportunities to take in views of the falls and to take some great photos for your IG ;).

The trail is well maintained and it’s easy to stay on the loop. But it’s also pretty easy to adventure off and find some fun little paths that lead to other cool viewpoints.

We’d recommend staying on the trail but if you have the time then you can go off and explore.

If you go early enough in the day you should have portions of the Latourell loop trail to yourself. We went midday and it was a little busy at the beginning where the waterfall is but once you get onto the trail it quiets down.

Most people just get out of their car and stop at the base of Latourell’s Falls to get the classic waterfall picture.

But if you walk past it and continue on the trail you will get away from all that and have a nice quiet path to yourself.

Be careful though if it’s been raining because then the trail can get quite muddy and slick. So if that’s the case, just bring some hiking shoes if you have any to make the trail a little easier to walk on.

And then you don’t have to worry about getting your sneakers filthy.

The loop trail is only 4km or 2.5 miles return so it can be done fairly quickly!

If you’re feeling up for it and have the time, you can drive down the road afterwards and check out Multnomah Falls which is only a few minutes away.

Here’s a picture of the trailhead

The trailhead starts just outside of Latourell. You will see an area where you can park your car and the trailhead basically starts right there.

Right at the beginning, you should be able to see the base of Lower Latourell Falls and from there you will just continue along the loop trail.

Depending on how busy it is you may want to take some pictures before people make their way for the money shot.

Once you pass the trailhead you will continue along a paved path to the iconic viewpoint.

From there you will find a dirt path that runs parallel with the stream where you will get a great side view of lower Latourell Falls as long as the trees aren’t too dense (depends what time of year you go).

Other than that, don’t worry about the season.

The hike is open all year round and sometimes in winter there is literally no one on the trail which makes for a memorable day.

Hiking Tip: Look up the trail on AllTrails before starting your hike 🗺️. You can find important trail information such as recent wildlife sights and trail closures. Check out the free version here or get a 7-day free trial of AllTrails+ here.

Camping near Latourell Falls

There are a bunch of campgrounds near Latourell Falls not too far from the Columbia River Gorge. It was also one of our favourite places to camp on the whole road trip.

There are so many amazing hikes in the area and tons of beautiful waterfalls as well.

If you have the time you should spend a few days between Portland and Hood River. Just on that stretch of highway between the two cities is where all these waterfalls and great campsites are.

Ainsworth State Park

Ainsworth State Park is only a 25-minute drive from the Latourell Falls trailhead. If you want to see the best waterfalls near Portland and spend a few nights in the outdoors then this is your place.

Sites start at $17 for standard tents and around $30 for full hookups.

We loved the fact that there are a bunch of trails that actually start right from the campsite so once you’re there you really don’t even need to drive anywhere. The campsite is nicely shaded and located in the forest. Here are the directions from Ainsworth State Park to the parking lot of the trailhead.

Bridge RV Park and Campground

Bridge RV Park / Gorge Base Camp is a bit further away from Latourell Falls than Ainsworth State Park but if you’re hauling an RV then this is a good spot for you!

It’s about an hour’s drive to the trailhead, so not too bad, since the drive is absolutely beautiful. You’ll drive right along the Columbia River Gorge for most of the drive until you turn off for the hike.

You will pass by Multnomah Falls and a few other awesome hikes in the area.

Mt Hood National Park and Hood River get extremely busy during the summer months.

For that reason, we recommend you call and book in advance if you’re traveling during high season and know the exact dates that you’ll be in the area.

Check prices here.

How to get to Latourell Falls

From anywhere in Portland

• It’s about a 45 minute drive from the centre of Portland. So most likely a little bit shorter if you’re coming from the Eastern suburbs.
• Directions can be found here.

From anywhere in Hood River

• It’s roughly an hour’s drive from Hood River to Latourell Falls – another reason why it’s a good area to stay and camp in. The drive from Hood to the trailhead is beautiful as well.
• Directions can be found here.

When to visit Latourell Falls in Oregon

Every season brings out something different. If you want to visit Latourell Falls during winter then you may see a frozen waterfall if you’re lucky enough.

You may also have the whole hike to yourself if that’s something you like.

Otherwise, spring, summer, and fall all bring different elements to the experience and bring out its own beauty. We were there near the end of summer and it was absolutely beautiful.

The trees and bushes were dense so, unfortunately, we didn’t get that awesome side view of Latourell Falls.

But there are many other smaller paths that will lead you to great views of the falls. So it’s up to you to go find them! =)

Before you go to Latourell Falls

Make sure to check the weather and plan accordingly before you go – since it’s not as touristy as other hikes there is really no bad time to go. Here is the weather for the upper Latourell Falls area.

The track can get super muddy when it rains so you may want to bring some proper shoes (we did not and our shoes got trashed).

We’d recommend wearing hiking shoes but if you don’t have any then don’t worry about it.

Leave no trace

When you go hiking (and do other outdoor adventure activities), always remember to follow the 7 principles of leaving no trace.

This means:

1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of others.

What to bring

We’d recommend bringing a camera to snap some pictures. Oregon’s waterfalls are magical and any chance you get to take some photos you should.

Both lower and upper Latourell Falls are great places to take some shots. Plus all the little side paths may bring you to some awesome viewpoints that we didn’t find.

What you can expect from Latourell Falls is a great combination of taking photos while being out in nature and the enjoyment that hiking brings you.

Packing list for Latourell Falls:

• Sunscreen is recommended although this trail is partly covered by trees.
• A camelbak (backpack full of water). Especially if you plan to do the longer hike.
• Bring some food you can enjoy along the way. Relax, and enjoy the views with a nice PB&J, trail mix, or whatever you like to snack on while hiking!
• Hiking poles are never a bad idea if you have them but they’re not necessary.
• Here is a great list of hiking gear that you may need on a hike!

Alternative Hike near Portland: Multnomah Falls waterfall near Portland

If you’re looking for the iconic waterfalls near Portland and very close to Latourell Falls then drive a little down the road and visit Multnomah Falls. You could easily do both these hikes in one day if you wanted to as well.

From Latourell to Multnomah Falls it’s only about a 20-minute drive. If you actually end up staying at the Ainsworth National State Park then you will be only a few minutes from Multnomah which is perfect.

Enjoy this area of Oregon and the hiking it has to offer because there’s so much to see, including all these awesome waterfalls.

You may also like…

• The Best Mountain Biking Adventure in Oregon
• Multnomah Falls – Iconic Waterfall near Portland
• The Best Guided Waterfall Tour From Portland
• Ramoma Falls – Mt Hood Waterfall Hike
• Top 10 Oregon Waterfall Hikes

Other useful info when visiting Latourell Falls

• There are tons of Latourell Falls tours as well if you don’t have a car.
• Hood River is a great place to fuel up and get some food if you need it. Or even go mountain biking (check out our post about mountain biking in Hood River here.)
• You can buy an America the Beautiful pass online here if you’re planning on visiting a bunch of national parks this year.
• Don’t forget to check out the Latourell Falls weather forecast.

Recap of the beautiful Latourell Falls near Portland

We hope you enjoy Oregon and especially this little area near Portland. This area around Latourell has so many awesome hikes.

If you have any questions about getting to the waterfall or other hikes in the area feel free to reach out. You can leave a comment below or DM us on Instagram @redwhiteadventures.

Have the best time exploring one of the many beautiful waterfalls you can find here in Oregon!

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