The Multnomah Falls Permit Guide for 2026
Everything you need to know about the Timed Use Permit this summer: when it applies, how to book, what it costs, and what to do if you can’t get one.
Permit at a Glance
Quick answer
Do you need a permit for Multnomah Falls in 2026? Only if you are driving and parking at the I-84 Exit 31 lot between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 22 through September 7, 2026. Permits are $2 per vehicle, booked through Recreation.gov up to 14 days in advance. No permit is required outside that window, at the smaller Historic Columbia River Highway lot, or if you arrive by bicycle, on foot, by Columbia Gorge Express bus, or by Waterfall Trolley.
The 2022-era “Waterfall Corridor” permit between Exit 28 and Exit 35 has been retired. Latourell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena, Horsetail, Oneonta, and Angel’s Rest all require no Multnomah-style permit in 2026, but note that as of March 30, 2026, Latourell, Bridal Veil, and Angel’s Rest now charge an Oregon State Parks day-use parking fee ($10 in-state / $12 out-of-state). Wahkeena and Horsetail remain free.
Multnomah Falls is the most-visited natural attraction in Oregon. Two million people pass through the lower viewing plaza every year, and on a summer weekend the I-84 parking lot fills before the morning fog burns off. The Timed Use Permit system exists to manage that volume, and it has been in place every summer since the U.S. Forest Service piloted it during the COVID era. The rules have stabilized; only the dates change.
This guide covers the 2026 season specifically, including the booking walkthrough, the alternatives if you cannot get a permit, the construction closures that change access this year, and the other gorge waterfalls that need no permit at all. The permit itself is straightforward once you know the process. The crowding around it is what trips most visitors up.
Same permit system, plus four things to know this year
The Multnomah permit itself is unchanged from 2025. Same $2 fee, same 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. window, same Recreation.gov booking system, same I-84 lot scope. If you booked successfully last summer, you already know the drill.
What’s different in 2026:
(1) Oregon State Parks added day-use parking fees at three popular gorge trailheads on March 30, 2026: Latourell Falls Trailhead (Guy Talbot State Park), Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint, and Angel’s Rest Trailhead. Daily permits are $10 for Oregon residents and $12 for non-residents. Walking, biking, and public transit access remains free. An annual permit is $60 (resident) or $75 (non-resident).
(2) The Historic Columbia River Highway / U.S. 30 east of Multnomah Falls is closed for construction from October 2025 through spring 2026, which changes how you can route between the falls and Ainsworth State Park. Travel from Portland via I-84 Exit 31 is unaffected.
(3) Multnomah Falls Lodge restrooms are under renovation through November 2026, with portable units available in the interim.
(4) Eagle Creek Trail and Wahclella Falls Trail are closed under USFS Forest Order through October 31, 2026 due to December 2025 storm damage. These were two of the most popular permit-free alternatives to Multnomah; their closure puts more pressure on remaining options.
When you need a permit
The permit window for 2026 is May 22 through September 7, daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. That is the entire scope. Any other time, you do not need a permit to visit Multnomah Falls.
The window matches Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, which is when crowding actually requires triage. Here is how the time-of-day breakdown works:
| Time / Date | Permit needed? | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., May 22 – Sep 7 | Standard permit window. Reserve in advance. | |
| Before 9 a.m. (any date) | Early-morning visits are permit-free even in peak season. | |
| After 6 p.m. (any date) | Evening visits are permit-free. Long summer days mean dusk lingers past 8:30 p.m. in June. | |
| September 8 – May 21 | Off-season. Free access all day. |
Beating the system is legitimate. If you arrive at the I-84 lot before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m., you do not need a permit and there is no enforcement during off-hours. Many regulars target the 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. window specifically: no permit, no crowds, and the morning light on the falls is the best of the day. Just keep in mind that Multnomah Falls Lodge does not open until 9 a.m., and the gift shop and restaurant open later still.
How to book a permit
The booking process is straightforward but the supply is tight. Here is how it actually works.
Step-by-step booking walkthrough
Reserving a Multnomah Falls Timed Use Permit on Recreation.gov
- Go to the official Recreation.gov page. Direct URL: recreation.gov/timed-entry/10089144. Or search “Multnomah Falls Timed Use Permit” on Recreation.gov.
- Sign in or create a free account. Recreation.gov accounts are free. You will need an email and a password.
- Pick your visit date. Permits release in two waves. The primary booking window opens 14 days in advance at 7 a.m. PT; the secondary window opens 2 days in advance at 7 a.m. PT. Set a reminder. Popular weekend slots disappear within minutes.
- Choose a one-hour entry window. Slots are sold in hourly arrival blocks. Early-morning (9-10 a.m.) and late-afternoon (4-5 p.m.) slots are the easiest to grab; midday is the hardest.
- Pay the $2 fee. One permit covers one private vehicle and its occupants. Each visitor account can buy up to two permits per day.
- Save the permit. Either print it or save it as a digital copy on your phone. You will be checked at the walkway between the I-84 lot and the falls plaza.
What actually works for getting a permit
Set a 7 a.m. PT alarm 14 days before your trip. Permits release at 7 a.m. on a rolling daily window. If you want a Saturday slot in July, log in at 6:55 a.m. PT exactly two weeks ahead. Saturday slots in June and July typically sell out within 5 to 15 minutes of release.
If 14-day fails, try the 2-day window. A second wave of permits release 2 days before each arrival date, also at 7 a.m. PT. This catches cancellations and late-released inventory. It is a real option, not a hail-mary.
Skip weekends entirely if you can. Weekday slots are dramatically easier to book and the lot is much less stressful. Tuesday and Wednesday are the quietest days at the falls in summer.
Restaurant reservation = permit equivalent. If you have a confirmed reservation at Multnomah Falls Lodge restaurant, you do not need a Recreation.gov permit. Show your reservation confirmation (text or email) at the check-in walkway. Call (503) 695-2376 to book. This is a real workaround that bypasses the permit lottery entirely.
Where to park (the two lots, explained)
There are two parking options at Multnomah Falls. Each has different access and different rules. The map below shows the I-84 Exit 31 parking lot, the larger of the two and the one the Timed Use Permit covers.
Option 1: I-84 Exit 31 lot (the big one, requires the permit)
This is the larger lot, with about 186 parking spaces, accessed directly from Interstate 84 Exit 31. A pedestrian tunnel connects the lot to the Multnomah Falls plaza on the south side of the highway. This is the lot the Timed Use Permit covers. A permit gives you permission to park if a space is available; it does not reserve a specific space. On peak Saturdays, the lot can still fill even with permits issued. ODOT runs a TripCheck camera you can check in real time before driving.
Option 2: Historic Columbia River Highway lot (the small one, no permit)
The smaller lot, accessed from the Historic Columbia River Highway directly in front of Multnomah Falls Lodge, has roughly 54 spaces. No permit is required to park here, but private parking fees apply (Sasquatch Shuttle has been operating paid parking meters at this lot, with fees up to $20 during peak times). The lot fills very quickly and frequently has 20-minute backup queues on summer afternoons. The 2022-era congestion problem has been displaced here, not solved.
Bottom line: The I-84 lot with a permit is more reliable, cheaper, and less stressful than chasing the Historic Highway lot. Get the $2 permit.
Free same-day permits
If you are already in the gorge or did not book ahead, two locations distribute a small number of free same-day Multnomah Falls permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Both are operated by partner organizations, not by Recreation.gov.
Both locations work; both run out fast on busy weekends. If you are flexible on dates, this is a viable backup. If you are on a tight schedule, book through Recreation.gov instead.
If you can’t get a permit (or don’t want to deal with one)
Multnomah Falls is reachable several ways that do not require a permit at all. Each option avoids the I-84 lot and the booking lottery entirely.
| Option | Cost | Permit needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Gorge Express bus | $10 round trip | Runs from Gateway Transit Center in Portland to Multnomah Falls and on to Hood River. The simplest car-free option. | |
| Sasquatch Shuttle | $5 round-trip | Departs from Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets in Troutdale (free parking). Pet-friendly. Runs roughly every 45 minutes during peak season. | |
| Waterfall Trolley (Gray Line) | $39 adult / $20 youth (6-12) / Free 0-5 | Hop-on, hop-off narrated trolley from Corbett with free parking. Stops at Crown Point, Latourell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena, Multnomah, Horsetail, and Ainsworth. | |
| Bicycle | Free | Ride the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Bicycle parking available; e-bike parking not allowed in the plaza. | |
| Walking | Free | Walk-up access through the pedestrian tunnel from the I-84 lot is permit-free; only driving requires the permit. | |
| Visit before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. | Free | Off-hours visits are completely permit-free. Sunrise visits are spectacular. |
Other Columbia Gorge waterfalls (no Multnomah-style permit needed)
Multnomah is the icon, but it is not the only waterfall in the gorge. Six other major waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway require no Multnomah Timed Use Permit in 2026. Three of them, Latourell, Bridal Veil, and Angel’s Rest, now charge an Oregon State Parks day-use parking fee ($10 in-state / $12 out-of-state) as of March 30, 2026, but you can still walk, bike, or take transit to them for free.
Other permit-free options in the corridor: Wahkeena Falls (242 ft tiered, 0.4 mi to base, no parking fee, USFS), Horsetail Falls (176 ft, roadside view, no parking fee, USFS), Oneonta Gorge (slot canyon, currently a wade-only access, no parking fee, USFS), and Angel’s Rest (5-mile round-trip ridge hike with panoramic gorge views; $10/$12 Oregon State Parks parking fee at the trailhead). All accessible from the Historic Columbia River Highway, all permit-free in 2026.
Best time to visit Multnomah Falls
Permit availability is one variable. Crowds, weather, and waterfall flow are the other three. Here is how the year breaks down.
| Season | Months | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar – May | Strongest waterfall flow of the year, no permit required until May 22. Snowmelt swells the falls. Some rain expected. | |
| Summer (permit window) | May 22 – Sep 7 | Reliable weather, longest days, but the permit and the crowds. Flow drops by August. Book early or visit off-hours. | |
| Fall | Sep 8 – Nov | Permit window over. First fall rains restore flow. Yellow big-leaf maple color. Light crowds. Our quietest favorite. | |
| Winter | Dec – Feb | Heaviest flow, occasional ice formations on the cliff face, rare frozen-falls events. Watch for road ice on I-84. |
Best time of day in summer: before 9 a.m. The falls face roughly southeast, so morning sun lights the cascade and the cliff. The lot is empty, the air is cool, and you do not need a permit. Worst time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a summer Saturday, when the lot fills, the lodge backs up, and the spray photography window closes as the sun gets overhead.
Closures and construction in 2026
Three closures that affect a Multnomah Falls visit this year.
Historic Columbia River Highway / U.S. 30 east of Multnomah Falls is closed from October 2025 through spring 2026 for construction. This means you cannot drive east from Multnomah Falls along the historic highway toward Horsetail, Oneonta, Ainsworth, or beyond. Travel from Portland via I-84 Exit 31 is unaffected. To reach falls east of Multnomah, take I-84 to the appropriate exit (35 for Ainsworth, etc.).
Multnomah Falls Lodge restrooms are under renovation through November 2026. Portable restrooms are available in the interim but are limited; plan accordingly.
Eagle Creek Trail and Wahclella Falls Trail are closed under USFS Forest Order (effective January 21, 2026, through October 31, 2026) due to December 2025 storm damage. These were two of the most popular permit-free alternatives to Multnomah; their closure puts more pressure on remaining options.
Visiting Multnomah Falls with dogs
Multnomah Falls is dog-friendly throughout the publicly accessible areas. Dogs must be on a leash up to 6 feet long, per Forest Service rules. The paved viewing plaza, the trail to Benson Bridge, and the trail to the top of the falls all permit dogs. Service dogs are welcome everywhere.
Dogs are not permitted inside Multnomah Falls Lodge buildings or the restaurant. The lodge does have water bowls available outside the gift shop entrance, and the spray from the lower falls keeps the plaza cool even on hot summer afternoons. The Sasquatch Shuttle from Troutdale is one of the few gorge transit options that allows dogs on board.
Accessibility at Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is one of the more accessible major waterfalls in the United States. The paved walkway from the I-84 parking lot, through the pedestrian tunnel under the highway, and out to the lower viewing plaza is fully wheelchair- and stroller-accessible with no significant grade. The lower viewpoint delivers the iconic view of the full 620-foot cascade and the historic Benson Bridge between the tiers.
The trail from the plaza up to Benson Bridge is paved with a moderate grade and is doable in a manual wheelchair with assistance, or independently in a power chair. The trail from Benson Bridge up to the top of Multnomah Falls is steep, switchbacked, and not wheelchair accessible. Multnomah Falls Lodge has accessible restrooms (under renovation through November 2026; portable units available in the interim) and an accessible main entrance.
Service dogs are permitted everywhere. The Columbia Gorge Express bus and the Sasquatch Shuttle are both wheelchair-accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to visit Multnomah Falls in 2026?
How much does the Multnomah Falls Timed Use Permit cost?
When is the Multnomah Falls permit season in 2026?
How do I book a Multnomah Falls permit?
Can I get a Multnomah Falls permit on the day of my visit?
What if I cannot get a Multnomah Falls permit?
Does the permit guarantee me a parking spot at Multnomah Falls?
Is there a permit for the Historic Columbia River Highway lot at Multnomah Falls?
Do I need a permit for other waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge?
Can I cancel or modify my Multnomah Falls permit?
Are dogs allowed at Multnomah Falls?
Is Multnomah Falls accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?
Are there construction or trail closures affecting Multnomah Falls in 2026?
Last updated: May 2026 · Permit rules and dates change yearly. Always verify current-season information at Recreation.gov and the ODOT Waterfall Corridor Permits page before traveling.