Are there fees or permits required for Oneonta Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Oneonta Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Oneonta Falls?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Oneonta Falls.

Live Conditions · 9 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Oneonta Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Oneonta Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Oneonta Falls.

Oregon • 100 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Mt. Hood National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

diplix CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

TheRealMichaelMoore CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Sean Munson CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

RWShea Photography CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

100 ft

About Oneonta Falls

Oneonta Falls is a stunning waterfall located in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. It is known for its unique access route, which requires visitors to wade through Oneonta Creek to reach the falls. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and moss-covered canyon walls, offering a picturesque and serene experience.

The Setting

Oneonta Falls sits at 404 feet within Mt. Hood National Forest, fed by the North Fork Bull Run River, in the coastal lowlands of Oregon. At 100 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Oregon.

Height: 100 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon at 620 feet, lies 2.1 miles to the west. Also nearby: Wahkeena Falls (242 ft, 2.7 mi) and Horsetail Falls (176 ft, 0.5 mi).

Multnomah Falls Wahkeena Falls Horsetail Falls

Trail & Hike Details

0.6 mi distance 100 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Oneonta (#424), a 0.6-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 100 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

ONEONTA #424

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

0.25 mi

Trail Description

The trail to Oneonta Falls is unique as it requires wading through Oneonta Creek. Visitors should be prepared to navigate slippery rocks, cold water, and potentially chest-deep sections of the creek. The trail passes through a narrow gorge with towering moss-covered walls, leading to the waterfall at the end.

What to Expect

The falls cascade 100 feet. Swimming is permitted.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Oneonta Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Oneonta Falls?

✅ Swimming is allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is during late spring through early fall when water levels are typically lower and conditions are safer for wading.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Mt. Hood National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 48°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

Be cautious of slippery rocks and cold water. Avoid visiting during high water levels or after heavy rain, as conditions can become dangerous. Always check local conditions before visiting.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Barely Flowing

9 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

10 12 27 48

Based on 60 years of record

0.40 ft

Water depth at gauge

48°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle. Water temperature is very cold at 48 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Mineral content is typical.

Water Quality

44 µS/cm

Conductance

Dissolved minerals in the water

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

NORTH FORK BULL RUN RIVER NEAR MULTNOMAH FALLS, OR

USGS 14138900

6.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 8 sq mi

Altitude: 1,065 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge NORTH FORK BULL RUN RIVER NEAR MULTNOMAH FALLS, OR (10 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

9 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

10 cfs

3/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

10 cfs

5/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

10 cfs

5/10

Mon

Barely Flowing

10 cfs

5/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

10 cfs

3/10

Wed

Low

11 cfs

4/10

Thu

Low

11 cfs

4/10

Best window: Tomorrow — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late November to mid December, peaking in January.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near North Bonneville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 333 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 100 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 360 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 468 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 329 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Oneonta Falls near North Bonneville, Oregon, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Oneonta Falls near North Bonneville, Oregon, showing about 333 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 360 feet; Measured by 3-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 333 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Oneonta Falls is located off the Historic Columbia River Highway, near Multnomah Falls. The trailhead is accessible from the Oneonta Gorge parking area, though parking may be limited during peak times.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Limited parking is available near the Oneonta Gorge trailhead. Arrive early to secure a spot, especially during weekends and summer months.

Elevation

404 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.582353° N, -122.072782° W

Land Management

Mt. Hood National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy water shoes or sandals with good grip, as the rocks can be slippery. Bring a change of clothes and a waterproof bag for your belongings. Avoid visiting during high water levels or after heavy rain, as conditions can become dangerous.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

For this easy 0.6 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

EAGLE CREEK OVERLOOK GRP SITE

8 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Eagle Creek Overlook Group Site is set on a forested bluff above the Columbia River, providing an ideal setting for family gatherings and group events. Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s as a place to view construction of the Bonneville Dam, this site features CCC masonry and offers expansive views of the Columbia River and mountains rising from the gorge.Recreation The Eagle Recreation Area, just a short walk or bike ride away, provides visitors with opportu

Book on Recreation.gov