Latourell Falls, OR

Tucked along the western edge of the Columbia River Gorge, Latourell Falls is one of the most distinctive waterfalls in Oregon.

The lower falls plunge nearly 250 feet in a single uninterrupted drop over towering walls of columnar basalt. Bright yellow lichen coats the volcanic rock, creating a vivid contrast against the dark cliff and surrounding forest.

A short hike above the main viewpoint leads to Upper Latourell Falls, where the water spills through a quieter, moss-covered amphitheater hidden deeper in the forest. Together the two waterfalls form a beautiful loop hike that reveals both the dramatic geology and the lush greenery that define the Columbia River Gorge.

It’s a place where volcanic stone, rushing water, and Pacific Northwest forest all come together in one remarkable landscape.