Oneonta Gorge
Oneonta Gorge
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
506 reviews
Excellent
416
Very good
71
Average
12
Poor
4
Terrible
3
GitchSup
Duluth, MN1,470 contributions
May 2022
When we went the area was still closed off but we walked through the tunnel to see what we could. It was fun, there are not a lot of places where you can walk through a tunnel or have massive boulders right over your head, it felt a little death-defying. The area we could see was definitely worth the stop.
Written 16 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RSNN
Portland, OR6,303 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
I was wondering what this looked like now after the wild fire and with the old Scenic Highway opened up. Well, it is closed off. I saw its name listed at Multnomah Falls where they have posted a list of trails closed right now.
So the Onteona area where you used to park and go into the area id totally blocked off. You can't even park near it at all.
I drove further to Hortail Falls and enjoyed seeing that instead. You can hike here. And the trail goes behind the waterfall in the side of cliff wall. So you can hike behind it and look out at the water falling into the plunge pool. Great!
a good idea is to stop at Multnomah Falls Lodge and go to the Information place and ask them about where you can hike. And pick up a general map of the area and the waterfalls. it is FREE.
So the Onteona area where you used to park and go into the area id totally blocked off. You can't even park near it at all.
I drove further to Hortail Falls and enjoyed seeing that instead. You can hike here. And the trail goes behind the waterfall in the side of cliff wall. So you can hike behind it and look out at the water falling into the plunge pool. Great!
a good idea is to stop at Multnomah Falls Lodge and go to the Information place and ask them about where you can hike. And pick up a general map of the area and the waterfalls. it is FREE.
Written 17 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick F
Corvallis, OR33 contributions
Jun 2018
This is a short hike, but absolutely amazing. The hike is through the water, so bring proper attire. There is a large log jam, which means a long line to get started, but you can go around the jam and under water to bypass.
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand3,760 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
We contemplated going to Oneonta Gorge but hesitated a bit by the descriptions of the hike over wet logs and walking in water. In the end, the decision was made for us, as the access road was closed due to heavy rain and landslides in the area. Maybe next time?!
Written 4 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Violette54
Payson, AZ4,179 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The Oneonta Gorge is a scenic gorge located along the Columbia River. Because of the unique vegetation that grows there, this gorge has been designated as a botanical area by The U.S. Forest Service. It follows then that these plants are to be looked at but not touched, and that hikers should respect the growth and stay on the trail. Many of the varieties that grow here can grow only here in the Gorge.
There are four major waterfalls on the Oneonta Creek as it runs through the gorge.
Middle Oneonta Falls can be seen clearly from a footpath and is very often mistaken for the upper or lower falls. The drop of the Middle Falls is 24-feet and that’s the one we saw.
The Lower Gorge has been preserved as a natural habitat, so hikers don't usually go there. Thus, Lower Oneonta Falls can only be seen by walking upstream from the creek's outlet at the Historic Columbia River Highway.
If one really wants to see the entire Lower Falls, it is visible, but this can require wading through cold, chest-deep, water at certain times of the year. That's not for me.
The Upper Falls are about 1 mile upstream from the Middle Falls and require scrambling up the creek or climbing down a canyon wall to view. The Fourth Falls which is "Triple falls" can be seen from a vantage point on the upper trails in the canyon.
There is also a great old railroad tunnel that is now part of the pedestrian path.
There are four major waterfalls on the Oneonta Creek as it runs through the gorge.
Middle Oneonta Falls can be seen clearly from a footpath and is very often mistaken for the upper or lower falls. The drop of the Middle Falls is 24-feet and that’s the one we saw.
The Lower Gorge has been preserved as a natural habitat, so hikers don't usually go there. Thus, Lower Oneonta Falls can only be seen by walking upstream from the creek's outlet at the Historic Columbia River Highway.
If one really wants to see the entire Lower Falls, it is visible, but this can require wading through cold, chest-deep, water at certain times of the year. That's not for me.
The Upper Falls are about 1 mile upstream from the Middle Falls and require scrambling up the creek or climbing down a canyon wall to view. The Fourth Falls which is "Triple falls" can be seen from a vantage point on the upper trails in the canyon.
There is also a great old railroad tunnel that is now part of the pedestrian path.
Written 20 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shawna W
15 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Saw this beautiful jem while hiking beautiful waterfall and a nice little spot to hang out at and take photos
Written 1 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elpeekay
Vancouver, Canada41 contributions
Aug 2017
We really enjoyed this experience as we got to scale some logs, wade in waist-Deep water and enjoy a waterfall in the end. It is quite busy and the logs are quite dangerous (more so the people who run through or let their big dogs scale them without leashes) but it is well worth a visit.
Written 6 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isaiah S
Albany, NY118 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We originally set out to visit the really popular tourist place down the road. There was a 1 hour line of traffic though and no parking, so we decided to drive past it. What a great stroke of luck that decision was!
Parking was much easier and we got right in. You hike up the river. There's a giant log dam that you have to climb over.
This hike isn't the safest for really young kids or old people. There are a look of places you can get pretty hurt. Assuming you are up to the task though, the end is worth it! It opens up into a beautiful private gorge with a huge waterfall. It's a really magical scene to view. The sun was shining down and turning the water into glimmering diamonds. I'm really glad we took the hike. Photos don't do it justice. You have to experience it in person. Be prepared to get wet up to your waist too!
Parking was much easier and we got right in. You hike up the river. There's a giant log dam that you have to climb over.
This hike isn't the safest for really young kids or old people. There are a look of places you can get pretty hurt. Assuming you are up to the task though, the end is worth it! It opens up into a beautiful private gorge with a huge waterfall. It's a really magical scene to view. The sun was shining down and turning the water into glimmering diamonds. I'm really glad we took the hike. Photos don't do it justice. You have to experience it in person. Be prepared to get wet up to your waist too!
Written 17 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shiv508
Irving, TX69 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
Oneonta gorge is one of the major attraction near Portland,OR. Trail starts with crossing log jam (difficult part of this trek). Many turned down seeing the huge log pile up. (risky to climb and cross) still doable.
After this just need to walk in the cold stream till beautiful Oneonta falls.
Note: No restrooms available and check weather conditions. (like Wildfire and also if the weather drops).
Enjoy the hiking.
Thanks and Regards,
Shiv
After this just need to walk in the cold stream till beautiful Oneonta falls.
Note: No restrooms available and check weather conditions. (like Wildfire and also if the weather drops).
Enjoy the hiking.
Thanks and Regards,
Shiv
Written 6 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
schoong324
Boring, OR189 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
our beautiful Columbia Gorge is ruined by a teenager arsonist from Vancouver, Washington. Right now 32,000 acres are on fire. It won't recover in my lifetime.
Written 6 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the Gorge currently open?
RSNN
Portland, OR6,303 contributions
Still closed indefinitely as of June 2019. No word when it might reopen.
Mindysue852
Omaha, NE
Does anyone know if the Oneonta Gorge trails have reopened since the fires a couple years ago? I've found conflicting information online. Planning a trip in June.
kshewbert
Woodstock, GA4 contributions
We are planning to visit the area in mid September. Has it recovered well from last year's fire? I know that there are new fire risks, but thought I would see how it was when you were last there! Thanks!
Heloize75
Cordoba, Spain42 contributions
Hello ! I will be there in the middle of june. Do you think it will be re-open by that time?
tikiwaniki
San Francisco, CA
Hi all. Is the Gorge still a worthwhile visit despite not going into the water during late November? Visiting in one week and I'm scaredy cat unsure of my abilities in the faster & colder currents.
Greg M
Carrollton, TX2,829 contributions
I think you will still thoroughly enjoy yourself. The gorge is stunning. Just be mindful of rain and don’t get caught in too high of water after a heavy rain . Getting a little cold and wet, is worth the effort to see this marvel.
Chanthon K
Tacoma, WA491 contributions
We went the end of May and there's a yellow caution tape. Is it still there?
Greg M
Carrollton, TX2,829 contributions
There was no tape when we arrived. I read there was a flash flood in May, which closed the gorge. Everything was great when we were there at the end of July.
Elicia V
72 contributions
Approximately how long does it take to hike the entirety past the log jam to the end of the gorge? I will be traveling with a one year old and I was thinking my husband can wait with her before the log jam, while I go then we could switch, if possible time wise. I would take her over he jam we live in a rural coastal area and we are avid hikers but after reading reviews it seems as though taking her over the jam may be too risky.
drstrong1
Palo Alto, CA1 contribution
Once you are past the logjam, it's only ~20 min round trip to the waterfall at the end of the gorge. But give yourself a few additional minutes to enjoy stuff along the way. However, the logjam is unpredictable. If it's empty and you're relatively athletic, it only takes 5 min each direction. But it was packed when we were there, and there were some spots where it's not safe to go around people moving slower. I think it took us ~10 minutes one direction, at least 15 min in the other. Also, you probably already realize this, but you'll be wading through waist deep water on the way to the falls.
I would very strongly recommend against trying to carry your baby through the logjam. We saw one woman do it, and it looked like an insane idea (and not in a good way!). It would be like rock climbing with your kid on your back.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Oneonta Gorge
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Oneonta Gorge:
- Explore Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Small-Group Tour (From ₹ 6,728.05)
- Half Day Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour (From ₹ 5,749.04)
- Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour - Full Day (From ₹ 10,748.21)
- Ebike Tour to Multnomah Falls and 6 other falls on a scenic biway (From ₹ 6,665.56)
- Private Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Tour (From ₹ 15,830.69)
- Hotels near Oneonta Gorge:
- (15.94 km) Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn
- (9.28 km) Bridal Veil Lodge
- (11.41 km) Ainsworth State Park
- (9.06 km) Angels Rest Bed & Breakfast Lavender Farm
- (9.12 km) Quiet, waterfront cabin on an acre lot w/ a new, private hot tub & river access!