Updated July 2026
Horsetail Falls
A roadside horsetail-form waterfall that drops directly beside the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Multnomah Falls. A short loop continues uphill to Ponytail Falls and Oneonta Gorge.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Horsetail Falls drops about 176 feet. That makes it the 101st-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 85% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Horsetail Falls Trail #438 reaches it about 2.5 miles (loop) with roughly 660 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The nearest town is Corbett. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (USFS) for closures and current conditions.
spring. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Oregon waterfalls
- Abiqua Falls · 92 ft
- Bridal Veil Falls · 118 ft
- Butte Creek Falls · 78 ft
- Clearwater Falls · 30 ft
- Double Falls · 178 ft
- Drift Creek Falls · 75 ft
- Dry Creek Falls · 74 ft
- Elowah Falls · 213 ft
Sources
Get trip conditions by email
Lake grades, water temperature, and seasonal conditions as the data updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.