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    Home » Travel » Pacific Northwest

    Oneonta Gorge Hike (9 Essential Tips)

    Published: Jul 1, 2016 · Modified: Mar 16, 2023 · by Renée B. · This post may contain affiliate links.

    The Oneonta Gorge Hike in the Columbia River Gorge creates an indelible memory for those who brave the trail to get there.

    Foggy light coming through a moss covered fissure that seems to go on. Image Credit: Paul Weeks via Flickr (CC 2.0)

    NOTICE: Many of our posts about hikes in the Columbia Gorge were written before the 2017 Eagle Creek Fires, which burned over 50,000 acres of forest. While the majority of trails have reopened, Oneonta Gorge remains closed as land managers consider public safety and the ecological impact going forward.

    This notice will be updated when/if the Oneonta trail is reopened.


    Oneonta Gorge is an amazing, invigorating, hot-weather hike; and one of the most memorable hikes Mr B, Em, and I have ever taken.

    Arriving at the far end of Oneonta Gorge is totally worth the effort it takes to get there. When you stand at the end of that pristine fissure in the earth and feel the spray from Lower Oneonta Falls falling all around you, it is an incredible, indelible moment.

    Waterfall coming down a moss-covered rock-face. Image credit: Waqas Mustafeez via Flickr (CC 2.0)

    Just down the road from Oregon's famous Multnomah Falls, the Oneonta Gorge "trail" is not a trail at all: you hike the creek bed. The hike itself is quite short - just over a mile round-trip.

    The challenge comes in the form of a GIANT log jam completely blocking the route into the Gorge. The only way through the log jam is to climb over it. It is very doable as long as you are reasonably flexible and keep a clear head; however, it requires some patience.

    Large log and rock wall with many. people climbing on it.
    People standing on a large rock.

    After the long jam, as you continue walking the river bed, the water gets very deep at one point. It came up past my waist (I’m 5’3”), and considering we were there in August, I imagine that the water can be much deeper earlier in the year.

    Children playing in a sunlit stream.

    The payoff at the end of the trail is the basin of Lower Oneonta Falls, a place that lends the feeling of standing in a world apart.

    Adorqable middle-aged couple standing in front of a waterfall at the bottom of a large crevasse.

    I highly recommend taking this hike; however, there are a few important things you need to know before you go.

    Oneonta Gorge Hiking Tips

    Prepare to get wet.

    Wear a swimsuit, or a wetsuit, or whatever kind of suit you have that you don't mind getting wet. And while you're at it, wear some shorts or pants or something on the bottom, because we are all going to be climbing over that log jam shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh, and when you are taking a big step above me or around me because I am going slower then you, I don't want your special parts waving hello to me as they brush by. (I'm talking to you, Mr. Red Speedo.)

    Wear water shoes with good tread.

    Yes, of course you can wear your old tennis shoes... as long as the tread on the bottom is still solid. All I'm saying is, this is a very slippery hike, and you do not want to fall. I cannot emphasize strongly this point strongly enough.Case in point: Let's just say that I am not known for my sure-footedness.

    Anyway, on our return trip, I lost my footing in the log jam [because I had not read an awesome blog post like this one that advised me to wear shoes with good tread], and fell about six feet down into the log jam. I missed impaling myself on a vertical log by that much, and the whole experience was extremely traumatic, to say the least.)

    Do not go barefoot, wear flip-flops, or shoes with no tread.

    Hike when the sun shines.

    We took the Oneonta Gorge Hike in early August during a heat wave. At that time, it was refreshingly brisk in Oneonta Gorge, and yet the logs in the log jam were still very slick and slippery. Imagine how cold and wet it might be during one of our infamous PNW torrential downpours.

    Prepare to get up close with other hikers.

    As an Oregon hikers, we are used to having the trail pretty much to ourselves, but there were TONS of people the day we went (a Thursday), and it can get especially up-close and personal while everyone is moving in different directions as they get over the log jam.

    Do not bring your baby or your puppy.

    This might go without saying, but I’ll put it out there anyway: this hike is only for able-bodied folks.

    This is not meant to be exclusionary, discriminatory, or ableist in any way; but we saw so many people (and animals) really struggling on this hike. I don't mean that they were just out of shape (I am definitely out of shape, and I made it.) I mean they should not have been there in the first place.

    For example, we saw a man about a quarter of the way into the log jam trying to coax his hysterical two-year old over a log. A crowd was patiently waiting, all balancing on slippery logs at least eight feet off the ground at the time, while we watched this poor kid, petrified and screaming at the top of his lungs. His dad was so intent on getting on with the hike that, though a few people gently mentioned to him that maybe he should try another day, he would hear neither friendly suggestions nor his own child's pleas.

    Take-away: Sometimes you just need to Parent Up, turn around and go home.

    We also saw an adorable puppy shivering with cold and fear, legs wobbly in frigid water up past his chest. His people had tried to come prepared: the puppy had a canine flotation vest on with a handle, and they were hefting him over the logs, but he was clearly scared.

    When we saw the puppy later up the creek bed, he was trying desperately to stay above water and shivering like a kitten in a snowstorm. I am certain that many people have done this hike successfully with both pets and kids, but honestly, I just don't think it is worth the risk or the emotional toll.

    Hike sober. 

    Seriously, Oregon, don't play innocent with me. I know that at least a few of you are in the habit of enhancing your hiking vibe. Normally, I'd say you be you. But in this case, you really do need your wits completely on for this one. Stay straight and stay safe, folks.

    → Read what others have to say about Oneonta Gorge on TripAdvisor.

    How to Get There

    From I-84, take Exit #35/Ainsworth and head west on the Historic Columbia River Highway for approximately 1.5 miles. Just east of the Oneonta Tunnel on your left/south is the Oneonta Gorge. Parking is limited.

    • Start point: Oneonta Gorge Trailhead
    • End Point: Lower Oneonta Falls
    • Distance: 1.0 miles
    • Elevation gain: 0 feet
    • Moderately-Difficulty: Difficult (due to climbing over logs and deep wading)
    • Best time to hike: Aug - Oct
    • Kid or Pet-Friendly: No

    Fun fact: It was a miner '49er named Carleton Eugene Watkins, originally on the West Coast for the California gold rush, who first photographed the area, and it was he who gave the gorge its unusual name - "Oneonta" after his hometown of Oneonta, New York.

    More Family-friendly Hikes

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    About Renée B.

    Renée is self-taught home chef with a penchant for creating healthy(ish) comfort food recipes, and adapting vintage recipes for the 21st century cook. In her spare time, she writes unfinished novels and songs about cowboys.

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    1. Kimberly Lynne Clement says

      August 04, 2017 at 7:04 am

      Super helpful post with astounding pictures and witty writing! Love your blog.

      Reply
    2. Robert Lopez says

      July 03, 2016 at 11:03 pm

      Beautiful. It's truly rewarding to see a waterfall after a hike...

      Reply
    3. Toughcookiemommy says

      July 03, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      The sights on this hike are absolutely breathtaking. It's such a beautiful destination but, you are right, you have to be especially brave to get through it.

      Reply
    4. Ana De- Jesus says

      July 03, 2016 at 3:03 pm

      I best be taking a disposable camera then? Especially since I am accident prone, the gorge does look like an exciting hike though x

      Reply
    5. Yona Williams says

      July 03, 2016 at 10:24 am

      That looks like a lot of fun, and the surroundings are just gorgeous. The moss-covered rocks are beautiful. I like doing things like this…unfortunately, my other half does not.

      Reply
    6. jill conyers says

      July 03, 2016 at 1:48 am

      We love to hike. We started when my kids were very young and have been hiking ever since. Great tips especially for anyone new to this type of hiking.

      Reply
    7. Cate says

      July 02, 2016 at 7:15 pm

      Excellent tips, looks like a great place to vacation!

      Reply
    8. Terryn Winfield says

      July 02, 2016 at 4:27 pm

      Wow, stunning pictures. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful place!

      Reply
    9. Wendy says

      July 02, 2016 at 7:18 am

      Wow - this place is amazing. I would love to go there! Thanks so much for sharing those beautiful images and great tips.

      Reply
    10. Yvonne says

      July 02, 2016 at 6:25 am

      A lot of good tips at the end there. You'd think is common sense stuff but during packing and the stress of traveling you'd tend to forget all that. And yea I agree with the not bringing the big camera for sure, as much as you wanna take amazing shots.

      Reply
    11. Blythe Alpern says

      July 01, 2016 at 8:00 pm

      The scenery is so unbelievably gorgeous. If I ever make it the gorge, I will definitely remember these tips. This looks like a hike you want to be prepared to enjoy.

      Reply
    12. Reesa Lewandowski says

      July 01, 2016 at 7:10 pm

      THis looks like a beautiful place! I always wanted to visit Oregon!

      Reply
    13. Cynthia L says

      July 01, 2016 at 5:18 pm

      Wow! What great photos. I would love to visit here. I have never seen this part of the United States and need to make sure that I do. It looks like you had a great time.

      Reply
    14. Cassandra @ Powered By BLING says

      July 01, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      This gorge would be amazing to paddle a kayak around in. What a relaxing way to take in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest!

      Reply
    15. Rese says

      July 01, 2016 at 4:23 pm

      This location is simply gorgeous. I love that they allow you to actually go in the water. Some places like this won't even allow a foot to touch the water. I would love to visit here some day.

      Reply
    16. Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama says

      July 01, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      What good tips! I definitely want to try this hike... but maybe when my girls are your kids' age!

      Reply
    17. Rachel Langer says

      July 01, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      I have never seen a waterfall in real life. I need to head to Oneotha and see this beauty for myself.

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        July 01, 2016 at 3:37 pm

        Rachel, if you ever visit my neck of the woods, you'll have tons of waterfalls to choose from!

        Reply
    18. Pech says

      July 01, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Seriously more people need to read this post to understand whether this hike is for them or not! There are so many beautiful hikes and waterfalls to do, I don't know why you would choose this one if you have restrictions that don't make it a good match, sigh... but it happens all the time anyway.

      I particularly though like your tip about remembering to dress appropriately enough for the log climbing 🙂

      Reply
    19. Brianne says

      July 01, 2016 at 11:42 am

      Great tips. I LOVE chasing waterfalls in the Gorge. This Oneonta hike is definitely an area "must do."

      Reply
    20. Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife says

      July 01, 2016 at 11:29 am

      I've always wanted to go here but everyone keeps saying how crazy busy it is ALL the time so I will just enjoy all of your photos for now 🙂 But it really does seem like an incredible place. So scary about you falling into the log jam! Oh my goodness! Glad you got out of there in one piece! Thanks for sharing this beautiful space -- and sharing the tips!

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        July 01, 2016 at 11:36 am

        We went in the late afternoon, which is the busiest time of day. I've heard that weekday morning are much less crowded, and we will definitely be aiming for a less popular time.

        Reply
    21. Terri Steffes says

      July 01, 2016 at 11:11 am

      What a gorgeous place! I'd love to go there but I have a weak knee so maybe that's not a great idea. I appreciate the post, for people like me who won't get to go. I LOVED your warnings about staying straight. Made me laugh out loud!

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        July 01, 2016 at 11:13 am

        Thanks, Terri! I just try to keep it real. 🙂

        Reply
    22. Robin Masshole Mommy says

      July 01, 2016 at 10:33 am

      That has to be one of the most beautiful places to hike that I have ever seen. It's absolutely breathtaking! WOW.

      Reply

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