Bridal Veil Falls
State Scenic Viewpoint
Bridal Veil Falls State Park is located
near milepost 28 on the Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway
and is accessed off I-84 at Exit 28.
Travel west on the Historic Columbia River Highway about 3/4
of a mile to the entrance of Bridal Veil Falls State Park. The
park offers a nice parking area, picnic tables and restrooms
all within easy walking distance from the parking area. Nice
grassy areas afford visitors a chance to stretch a blanket in
one of the laziest parts of the Columbia River Gorge. No
day-use fee is charged; admission is free.
The park is situated in large timber stands; the area was a
natural choice as a logging haven once upon a time. The park
features two different trails: an upper walking/interpretive
trail and a lower hiking trail to the falls (120' tall). Both
are not to be missed.
The upper trail takes visitors around the precipice of the
cliffs of the Gorge. Sign boards along the trail point out
distinctive native wild plants that grow abundantly in this
area such as camas, lupine, bead lilly, trillium and bleeding
heart. The trail is fenced beautifully with logged beams and
wire to protect visitors along the viewpoint while maximizing
every vantage point of the magnificent view of the Gorge. The
famous geologic edifice known as the Pillars of Hercules, a
120-foot basalt tower once used as a training site for
mountain climbing, can be seen best from the upper trail at
Bridal Veil.
The lower trail at Bridal Veil takes the visitor downhill to
the base of Bridal Veil Falls and is about a mile round trip
to the falls and back. Although short, this is a steep little
trail full of switchbacks and is not wheelchair
accessible. Along the way are a few unwanted wild plants of
this area -- such as poison ivy -- so keep on the path. Do not
attempt to walk along the bridge over the Historic Highway to
view the falls. The road here is a narrow two-lane passage
with absolutely no sidewalk. PLEASE view the falls from the
trail.
Beautiful Bridal Veil Falls is an elegant and graceful lady
that can be fully appreciated from the deck of a viewing
platform rebuilt in 1996. The creek hustles down from the top
of nearby Larch Mountain, tumbles over the cliff and
eventually flows into the mighty Columbia River. No visit to
the Columbia Gorge should be considered complete without a
tour of the area of Bridal Veil and a visit to Bridal Veil
Falls State Park.
Services and Things to Do
- Picnicking
- Walking trail
- Forest
- Canyons
- Waterfalls
Get driving directions to this park
There is no fee to use this park.
For information, call 1-800-551-6949.
Information provided by
Oregon State
Parks
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Historic Columbia River Highway, 15 mi. E of Troutdale (take
Exit 28 from I-84)