Oneonta Gorge

Cascade Locks, Oregon

4.8/5

based on 30 reviews

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Details

Distance

0.92 miles

Elevation Gain

531 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Michael Matti

*Currently closed (except a small portion of the upper trail between Multnomah Spur and Trail #444 on Larch Mountain). Oneonta is a unique gorge that leads to beautiful Oneonta Falls. The experience of wading through chilly water to reach the falls only adds to the adventure.

*Currently closed (except a small portion of the upper trail between Multnomah Spur and Trail #444 on Larch Mountain)...here

This hike is very short (1 mile roundtrip) but does take some time to do. The trail leads down from the road into a stream bed. You follow the stream bed upstream through a narrow gorge. At the entrance to the gorge there is a large log jam. This requires some balance to climb over; be very careful if it is wet.

I like the path over the log jam on the far left near the gorge wall. Once you're over the log jam, the rest of the hike is just walking in and then wading through the stream. At one point in the stream the water gets quite deep, maybe 5ft depending on time of year. This section isn't very long but the water is cold. It is possible to cling to the rock and shimmy along the right side of the gorge and only have the water go up to about your knees. After the deep section, you arrive at the end of the gorge and the spectacular waterfall.

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Oneonta Gorge Reviews

Nathan Y

Oneonta Gorge

03/08/21

Realize that this hike is currently closed for real reasons. There was a major fire in the area a few years ago which degrading soil and rock stability. There have been land and rockslides and make it very dangerous in such a confined canyon. We have hiked here and absolutely love it, really nothing compares. We truly want to return but don't want to die, so waiting until the Forest service says things are stable.

5.0

Andy

Oneonta Gorge

11/23/20

Really cool spot to visit in Oregon. Has amazing scenery. Can get slippery

5.0

Elena P

Oneonta Gorge

07/27/20

This is the spitting image of what you see in the Oregon tourism commercials. Depending on the season, the water level will vary.

5.0

Jenna Mulligan

Oneonta Gorge

06/30/20

I love this hike in the summer! The logs can be slippery as you crawl over them - careful there. And the whole experience is much better if you're wearing water shoes and not carrying electronics that you have to worry about getting wet!

5.0

Clayton Lukens

Oneonta Gorge

06/21/20

Just go. You will not regret it. GORGEOUS.

5.0

Rebecca Brothers

Oneonta Gorge

09/07/17

This short hike is a blast! Make sure it's warm when you go because the water is chilly and when I went I had to go through water up to my chin. Also be prepared for a lot of people as this seems to be a super popular adventure.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Triple Falls

Access to Triple Falls is currently closed. Learn more on the Forest Service Site. This hike, starting at the Oneonta Trailhead is a 3.2 mile roundtrip. You will gain approximately 600 feet in elevation as the trail often switches from moderate flat easy hiking to more difficult elevation gain and even a little bit of downhill. You will soon reach a junction point (#438) that leads to the Hors...

Horsetail Falls Loop

Start off on this loop from Horsetail Falls Trailhead. It never hurts to start a hike with a view of Horsetail Falls. This 2.5 mile loop will start you off on Gorge trail #400 up Horsetail Falls Trail. You’ll encounter a few switchbacks before the trail flattens out and leads you into the valley toward Ponytail Falls. As you continue on this loop, you’ll get to hike behind the falls. After con...

Ponytail Falls

Ponytail Falls is an easy 0.8 mile hike located in the gorge that begins at Horsetail Falls. After hiking up mild switchbacks, continue to your right at the first trailhead intersection. The path levels out before coming around the mountain and opening up to the waterfall. This is the easiest waterfall hike in the Oregon Gorge and is accessible all year around. It is also a great spot to begin...

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is worth a quick stop anytime you're visiting the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Oregon. This waterfall is the tallest in Oregon at 620 feet and the third largest in the Pacific Northwest behind Bridal Veil Falls (1,289 feet) and Green Lake Falls (979 feet) and has an average flow rate of 150 cu ft/s over two drops. The falls are only about 30 miles from Portland a...

Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop

The Multnomah-Wahkeena loop is a classic hike in the Columbia Gorge. Few hikes take you by as many waterfalls, and the tree cover makes it a great hike in the rain. Starting at the Multnomah Falls Parking Area, head to the main viewing area of Multnomah Falls. If you get there early in the morning, you can avoid some crowds while you take in one of Oregon's iconic sights. Be sure to read the...

Larch Mountain's Summit

Done as a loop or one way shuttle (in summer/fall), the full Larch Mountain experience starts at the large (but still always full) Multnomah Falls parking lot. There you'll have the chance to grab a final snack, use the restroom, and fill water bottles before joining all the "tourist" hikers on the paved walk up to the top of the falls, where they tend to stop and this adventure truly begins. ...

Oneonta Gorge

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Oneonta Gorge Reviews

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Nearby

Triple Falls

Horsetail Falls Loop

Ponytail Falls

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop

Larch Mountain's Summit

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