Horsetail Falls, a popular and picturesque waterfall located near Portland, Oregon, offers an iconic photo opportunity with its distinctive, horse-tail-like shape. While smaller than its more famous counterpart, Multnomah Falls (Multnomah Falls: Oregon’s Tallest & most Famous Waterfall.), Horsetail Falls is beautiful and impressive, nonetheless. Nestled in the Columbia River Gorge along the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway, it’s part of the renowned “Waterfall Corridor” and easily accessible for visitors. Its natural beauty and accessibility make it a must-see destination for waterfall enthusiasts exploring the region.
Horsetail Falls plunges 176 feet into a scenic pool, making it easy to enjoy without any hiking required. Visitors can simply park, walk about 30-40 feet, and arrive at the base of the waterfall. Just east of the falls, there’s a lovely picnic area where you can relax, have lunch, and take in the surrounding beauty. However, due to its easy access, expect a steady stream of tourists eager to experience the serenity and charm of Horsetail Falls.
In addition to the falls, there’s Horsetail Falls Trail #438, a short but steep hike that takes you behind the base of Upper Horsetail Falls (also known as Ponytail Falls) and through a cooled lava rock overhang before connecting to nearby Oneonta Trail. The trail is about 0.8 miles round-trip (out-and-back) and is rated moderate, mainly due to the steep sections and slippery rocks behind the waterfall. According to AllTrails, the path can be rocky, narrow, and uneven, so it’s important to wear proper footwear and be cautious while hiking.
We visited Horsetail Falls in June, during a jam-packed half-day guided tour of the Columbia River Gorge. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to hike the trail, but we were able to appreciate the beauty of the waterfall from the viewing area. My daughter even got to dip her hands into the cool water at the base. According to our guide, during the months of July and August, the shallow pool beneath the falls is a popular spot for swimming, so it gets exceptionally crowded the warmer it gets.
Overall, although we couldn’t explore the trail, it was still a wonderful experience to see the waterfall up close. Horsetail Falls deserves just as much attention as its more famous neighbor, Multnomah Falls. While it may not be as fairytale-esque as Multnomah, Horsetail Falls is a beautiful and relaxing spot, and well worth a visit. Regardless of this, I still wouldn’t recommend making it a sole destination if you’re visiting the Portland, Oregon area, but it’s definitely worth including on a more extensive Columbia River Gorge itinerary, like we did. Come and capture the iconic photo for yourself! 🐴