Is swimming allowed at Wahclella Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Wahclella Falls.

Nearby gauge (Bull Run River) · 50 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Wahclella Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Wahclella Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Wahclella Falls.

Oregon • 65 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Mt. Hood National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

mikelemmon CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Ian Sane CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

2.4 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

320 ft

About Wahclella Falls

Wahclella Falls, also called Tanner Creek Falls, is a two-tier waterfall on Tanner Creek in the Columbia River Gorge, about 1 mile up the Wahclella Falls Trail from Interstate 84 Exit 40 near Bonneville Dam. The lower drop is about 65 feet and the upper tier about 50 feet. The trail is in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

The Setting

Wahclella Falls sits at 308 feet within Mt. Hood National Forest, in the coastal lowlands of Oregon. The falls drop 65 feet.

Height: 65 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Elowah Falls (213 ft) lies 2.1 miles to the west. Also nearby: Metlako Falls (101 ft, 2.6 mi) and Punch Bowl Falls (35 ft, 2.8 mi).

Elowah Falls Metlako Falls Punch Bowl Falls

Trail & Hike Details

2.4 mi distance 320 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Wahclella Falls (#436), a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 320 feet of elevation gain with grades of 5-8%. The trail is highly developed (Class 4).

USFS Trail

WAHCLELLA FALLS #436

Trail Class

Highly Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

5-8%

USFS Segment

0.89 mi

Trail Description

The Wahclella Falls Trail is a 2.4-mile round trip with about 320 feet of gain. It follows Tanner Creek past Munra Falls to a small loop near the base of the falls; the loop includes a short, rocky descent of about 30 percent grade from the upper Tanner Creek bridge. Slides and rough patches are common on this trail.

What to Expect

The falls drop 65 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Wahclella Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $5.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Wahclella Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Wahclella Falls, as the water flow is at its peak and the surrounding vegetation is lush and green.

Seasonal Access

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

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 44°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

The trail can be slippery, especially after rain. Stay on marked paths and avoid climbing on rocks near the falls. Watch for falling debris in windy conditions.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Bull Run River, 8.8 miles away, not on Wahclella Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

50 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

96 181 729 1.2k

Based on 60 years of record

2.52 ft

Water depth at gauge

44°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 44 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Mineral content is typical.

Water Quality

27 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.

BULL RUN RIVER NEAR MULTNOMAH FALLS, OR

USGS 14138850

8.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 48 sq mi

Altitude: 1,080 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge BULL RUN RIVER NEAR MULTNOMAH FALLS, OR (14 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

50 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

54 cfs

3/10

Tomorrow

Low

54 cfs

4/10

Fri

Low

59 cfs

4/10

Sat

Low

58 cfs

4/10

Sun

Low

58 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

54 cfs

4/10

Tue

Low

53 cfs

4/10

Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, chance light rain then mostly sunny (trip score 4/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to mid April, 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.

Is Wahclella Falls Frozen?

Updated 26 minutes ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Wahclella Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 43°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 50 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Oregon.

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.

3-meter lidar shows Wahclella Falls dropping about 458 feet in a single sheer step. That is more than the listed 65 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 199 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 426 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 188 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Wahclella Falls near North Bonneville, Oregon, showing about 458 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 199 feet; Measured by 3-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 458 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

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

Take Interstate 84 to Exit 40 (Bonneville Dam). Turn right after exiting, then bear right into the Wahclella Falls Trailhead lot.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

The trailhead lot has about 12 spaces, including 2 accessible spaces, and fills early. If it is full, use the larger Tooth Rock Trailhead up the hill from the same junction. A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required.

Elevation

308 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.618173° N, -121.951471° W

Land Management

Mt. Hood National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail can be muddy or slippery in places. Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 2.4 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

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

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

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

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.

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Cult-favorite traction cleats that grip ice and wet rock — essential for winter waterfall hikes.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

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

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

1.9 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