The westernmost of the marquee falls, Latourell is also the most distinctive: a 249-foot ribbon that free-falls straight off an overhanging wall of columnar basalt splashed with vivid yellow-green lichen. Because the water leaves the cliff cleanly, you can walk right to its base.
Latourell sits in Guy W. Talbot State Park, so unlike Multnomah it’s genuinely a state park — and it’s usually far less crowded. A short paved path reaches the lower-falls viewpoint; a 2.3-mile loop climbs to the upper falls.
The columnar basalt behind Latourell formed as ancient lava flows cooled and cracked into hexagonal columns — the same geology that built much of the Gorge. The bright color on the rock is a lichen that thrives in the constant spray.
The loop to the upper falls is a pleasant, forested climb with a footbridge crossing the creek above the upper drop. The trail returns through Talbot State Park’s picnic area near the highway.
Pro tip: Start your corridor day here at the west end and drive east — Latourell’s lot is small and empties of crowds early, and the morning light hits the basalt beautifully.
- • In Guy W. Talbot State Park on the Historic Columbia River Highway — no I-84 permit required.
- • The lower-falls viewpoint is a short, mostly accessible paved path; the loop is not.
- • A picnic area by the highway makes this a good lunch stop.
- • Leashed dogs are welcome.
- Is Latourell Falls worth visiting?
- Yes — it’s one of the most striking falls in the corridor thanks to its straight plunge over columnar basalt, and it’s usually much quieter than Multnomah. The walk to the base is short and easy.
- Is Latourell Falls in a state park?
- Yes — Latourell is in Guy W. Talbot State Park, with a free trailhead and picnic area on the Historic Columbia River Highway.
