Wah Gwin Gwin Falls
Oregon • 207 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
The falls are on private Columbia Gorge Hotel property. View them from the hotel terrace and gardens and follow hotel rules; access may be limited during private events.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Drive Up
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Wah Gwin Gwin Falls
Wah Gwin Gwin Falls, also called Lullaby Falls, is a 207-foot horsetail waterfall on Phelps Creek that drops through steep cascades into the Columbia River on the west side of Hood River, Oregon. The falls are on the private grounds of the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel, where a terrace along the back of the hotel overlooks them. The site is inside the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, but the hotel property is privately owned.
The Setting
Wah Gwin Gwin Falls sits at 220 feet within Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, in the coastal lowlands of Oregon. At 207 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Oregon.
Height: 207 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Punchbowl Falls (35 ft) lies 8.5 miles to the southwest.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Wah Gwin Gwin Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
Trail Description
There is no public USFS trail to Wah Gwin Gwin Falls—the waterfall is on private Columbia Gorge Hotel property and is typically viewed from the hotel’s terrace and grounds. The on-site approach listed in local trail data is extremely short (about 0.1 miles round trip) with approximately 50 feet of elevation change and is described as a drive-up/out-and-back type viewpoint rather than a maintained Forest Service hiking trail. No USFS trail number applies; visitors should respect private-property access rules and enjoy the falls from designated hotel viewing areas.
What to Expect
The falls plunge 207 feet.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Wah Gwin Gwin Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Wah Gwin Gwin Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The falls can be visited year-round, but spring and early summer typically offer the best flow due to seasonal snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 47°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Stay on the hotel paths and behind walls and railings; the drop to the Columbia River is sheer.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Hood River, 4 miles away, not on Wah Gwin Gwin Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
477 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 64 years of record
3.23 ft
Water depth at gauge
47°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 47 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge HOOD RIVER AT TUCKER BRIDGE, NEAR HOOD RIVER, OR (6 km away).
Today
Roaring
444 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Roaring
407 cfs
8/10Thu
Roaring
424 cfs
8/10Fri
Roaring
478 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
488 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
481 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
493 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, areas of fog (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to early May, 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 Hood River hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Wah Gwin Gwin Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded strong flow slows freezing
Wah Gwin Gwin Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 54°F to 46°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 317 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.
Along the line through the falls, the bare ground drops about 234 feet, most of it in one sheer step, the signature of a plunge waterfall. The listed height of 207 feet matches what the lidar sees. The ground at the falls is roughly 213 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 51 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 104 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 213 feet
- Measured by 3-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 234 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Wah Gwin Gwin Falls is located on the grounds of the Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Oregon. Visitors can access the falls by visiting the hotel, which is located off Westcliff Drive, just a short drive from downtown Hood River.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is available at the Columbia Gorge Hotel for guests and visitors. Availability may be limited during peak times.
Elevation
220 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.711910° N, -121.553718° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Consider dining or staying at the Columbia Gorge Hotel to fully enjoy the experience. Be respectful of the private property and follow any posted guidelines.
Where to Stay
Westcliff Lodge
Mt Adams View, walk to downtown HR
Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hood River by IHG
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Moss Creek campground
7.2 miles away · 17 sites
Overview Located in the southeast corner of the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest and close to Columbia River Gorge, Moss Creek Campground sits alongside the Little White Salmon River. At an elevation of 1,400 feet, the campground is shaded by a thick canopy of hemlock, cedars, firs and maples. Moss Creek is ideal for those wishing to escape the summer heat.Recreation The Little White Salmon River offers rainbow and brook trout for anglers. Visitors can enjoy wading in the cool waters. Facilities T
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Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, Hood River Waterfront Park, and Mount Hood.
Wildlife
The area around the Columbia Gorge Hotel may feature birds, deer, and other small wildlife typical of the Columbia River Gorge region.
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