Fairy Falls
Oregon · 20-foot drop · Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area · Last verified 2026-05-23
Flow at Fairy Falls is light today (36 cfs) — visit for the geology, not the volume.
Right now
Streamflow
35.9 cfs
NORTH FORK BULL RUN · 33m ago
Overnight
45°F
Mostly Cloudy
Sunday
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
Today's daylight
Sunrise 5:20 AM · Sunset 8:54 PM · 15h 34m
Snapshot built 17m ago. Sources: USGS · NWS PQR.
Fairy Falls is a 20-foot fan-shaped waterfall on a tributary of Wahkeena Creek in the Columbia River Gorge, reached by climbing 1.1 miles up the Wahkeena Trail. The cascade fans across mossy basalt into lacy streams — a favorite of long-exposure photographers. The 2.8-mile round trip climbs 850 feet, mostly on the steep paved section between Wahkeena Falls and the Fairy Falls bench. Best in spring (snowmelt) and fall (rain returns the flow); thin in late summer.
Fairy Falls is a 20-foot waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge in the United States. As part of a tributary of Wahkeena Creek, Fairy Falls is located upstream from the much larger Wahkeena Falls. While small, this fan-shaped waterfall is a destination for photographers, mainly because of the scenic view. The creek cascades through a mossy rock slide lined with ferns, until rocky ledges of basalt break the water into various lacy streams.
The trail
2.8 miles each way, rated moderate with 850 feet of elevation gain. Wahkeena Falls Day Use / Picnic Area, on the Historic Columbia River Highway 1.6 miles west of Multnomah Falls. Paid parking required.
Is the water flowing right now?
Most waterfall sites don't tell you this. The waterfall itself is almost never gauged, but a USGS streamgage in the same watershed can tell you whether snowmelt has started, peaked, or run dry.
USGS gage 14138900 · 6.8 mi away
NORTH FORK BULL RUN RIVER NEAR MULTNOMAH FALLS, OR
View live discharge data →
30-day streamflow
Below 30-day average↻ Same date last year: 16.4 cfs · 114% of last year — similar
Compare to nearby falls
If this one isn't the right fit, here's how it stacks up against the closest documented falls. Every column is filterable on the site — not buried in 13,000 reviews.
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Trail | Dogs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairy Falls (this page) | — | 20 ft | moderate · 2.8 mi | Y | $5 |
| Wahkeena Falls | 0 mi | 242 ft | — | — | — |
| Shady Creek Falls | 0 mi | 177 ft | — | — | — |
| Mist Falls | 0 mi | 518 ft | — | — | — |
| Dalton Falls | 1 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Lower Multnomah Falls | 1 mi | 69 ft | — | — | — |
Related waterfalls
Similar height (~20 ft)
- Allatoona Falls20 ft
- Barrier Falls20 ft
- Bittersweet Falls20 ft
- Borderline Falls20 ft
- Bridesmaid Falls20 ft
Same best season in Oregon
- Abiqua Falls92 ft
- Lower Kentucky Falls117 ft
- Upper McCord Creek Falls64 ft
Questions visitors ask about Fairy Falls
Answers built from our structured data. If a question isn't here, the fact is unverified — we'd rather omit than guess.
How tall is Fairy Falls?
Fairy Falls is 20 feet (6.1 m) tall. Source heights disagree by source — see the discrepancy box on the page.
Is Fairy Falls in a national or state park?
Yes — Fairy Falls is inside Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. See the park page for fees, hours, and current conditions.
Can I bring my dog to Fairy Falls?
Yes — dogs are allowed (Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area permits leashed dogs in most areas). Inferred from park type; check the official site for trail-specific restrictions. Always leash and pack out waste.
Can you swim at Fairy Falls?
No — swimming is not safe or not allowed at Fairy Falls. The fan-shaped cascade lands in a shallow rocky basin — not a swimming pool.
When is the best time to visit Fairy Falls?
Peak flow is typically March, April, May, October, November. Season-wise: spring, fall. Snowmelt and recent rain affect day-to-day volume.
Is there a fee to visit Fairy Falls?
Yes — entry costs around $5. Most Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area entrances accept the America the Beautiful annual pass.
How far is Fairy Falls from a major city?
Fairy Falls is 2 miles from Bridal Veil (about 3 minutes' drive).
More waterfalls in Oregon
Where it is
45.5703, -122.1245
Sources and live status
Where we got the data, and where to check current conditions before you drive.
Official land manager
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/columbiarivergorge/recreation/trails/wahkeena-trail-420
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_Falls_(Oregon)
Wikidata (Q37506)
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37506
Last verified by Fallspots: 2026-05-23
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