Horsetail Falls

Horsetail Falls is a waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, where water drops over basalt cliffs in a single cascade surrounded by green vegetation. The flow is strongest during the wetter months and varies with seasonal rainfall patterns.

The waterfall became accessible by automobile when the Historic Columbia River Highway opened in 1914, bringing early tourism to the site. This road construction marked a turning point in how people could experience the gorge and its natural features.

Native American tribes considered this waterfall part of their ancestral lands in the Columbia River Gorge before European settlers arrived in the region. The site remains a place where the region's indigenous heritage can be observed within its natural surroundings.

The falls maintain strong water flow from late autumn through spring, with parking available near the Historic Columbia River Highway. A loop trail provides access to different views, including a section that passes near the upper portion of the cascade.

A popular loop trail passes behind the upper section of the falls through a natural rock cavern, allowing hikers to walk nearly beneath the cascade. This hidden passage offers a rare perspective of the waterfall from behind and within its spray.