Horsetail Falls is a waterfall along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.
The waterfall is easily accessed, in contrast to its near neighbor Oneonta Falls, as it is right next to the Historic Columbia River Highway.
The 178 foot high, 15 foot wide Horsetail Falls plunges down a cliff on the northwest side of Larch Mountain in the shape of a giant, white horsetail. Water flows over the falls throughout the entire year.
Horsetail Falls can be viewed from the Historic Columbia River Highway but a short, half-mile trail takes you to the top of the falls and, surprise, another waterfall: Ponytail Falls (also called Upper Horsetail Falls). Another surprise - the trail takes you behind the falls!
The Horsetail Falls trailhead is just 30 miles east of Portland on the Columbia River Scenic Highway. From Portland Drive 35 miles east on I84 to Exit 3/Ainsworth State Park exit, then go west on the Scenic Highway to Horsetail Falls. Park on the north side of the freeway. You can also get there by following the Scenic Highway past Multnomah falls headed east. The trailhead is on the south side of the road right next to Horsetail falls.
We offer customizable trips out along all the Colombia Gorge Falls; you can check the rest of them out here.
