Eagle Creek Trail

History & Background

The Eagle Creek Trail is one of the most beloved and spectacular hiking trails in the Columbia River Gorge. Built in the early 20th century, the trail follows Eagle Creek through a dramatic canyon lined with towering basalt cliffs, old-growth forest, and a stunning series of waterfalls. The trail is famous for its cliffside sections where the path is carved directly into the rock face with cable handrails, offering incredible views of the creek canyon far below. After being severely damaged by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, the trail has been painstakingly restored and reopened, once again offering hikers access to one of Oregon's most scenic routes.

How to Get There

Trail & Hiking Information

• Distance: The trail extends for 13 miles (one-way) to Wahtum Lake, but most hikers turn around at one of the early waterfalls
• Elevation Gain: Varies by destination (around 500 feet to Punch Bowl Falls at 2 miles)
• Popular destinations: Punch Bowl Falls (2 mi), High Bridge (2.8 mi), Tunnel Falls (6 mi)
• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (depending on distance)

The Eagle Creek Trail offers something for every level of hiker. A short 2-mile hike takes you to Punch Bowl Falls, a beautiful waterfall that drops into a deep green pool. Continuing another mile brings you to High Bridge, a dramatic crossing of the creek on a suspension bridge. The full experience is the hike to Tunnel Falls at mile 6, where the trail passes through a tunnel blasted into the cliff face behind the waterfall itself.

Tips for Visiting

• 1
  Check for permits. A timed-use permit may be required during peak season. Check the Forest Service website before you go.
• 2
  Bring a Northwest Forest Pass. You need one to park at the trailhead.
• 3
  Arrive very early. The parking lot fills by 8 a.m. on weekends. Weekdays are much quieter.
• 4
  Watch your step on cliff sections. The trail has sections with steep drop-offs and metal cable handrails. Use caution, especially when the trail is wet.
• 5
  Bring a headlamp if going to Tunnel Falls. The tunnel behind the waterfall is pitch black inside.

Nearby Things to Do

The Eagle Creek Trailhead is located near the heart of the Columbia River Gorge waterfall corridor. Other nearby attractions include Wahclella Falls (just across the freeway), Multnomah Falls (3 miles west), and Oneonta Gorge. The towns of Cascade Locks and Stevenson are a short drive east with restaurants, breweries, and the Bridge of the Gods.