Exploring the Beauty of Eagle Creek Trail in Oregon.
- Crazydsadventures
- Dec 16, 2023
- 10 min read
Eagle Creek Trail in Oregon offers one of the most captivating hiking experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Known for its stunning waterfalls, lush forests, and dramatic cliffs, this trail draws outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore nature’s finest details. Whether you are an experienced hiker or someone looking for a memorable day trip, Eagle Creek Trail provides a perfect blend of adventure and scenic beauty.
Unfortunately, with the crowds, the Eagle Creek Trailhead has seen a significant number of break-ins to cars. Thieves are known to frequent this area and work quickly. They tend to go for the obvious (valuables left in vehicles) but also for identity information left in glove compartments. It is an attractive area for thieves because of its proximity to the interstate on-ramp. In addition, hikers have even reported losing backpacks left at the trailhead momentarily while fetching their vehicle. Many hikers have taken to bringing all their valuables with them, leaving the doors to their car unlocked and the glove compartments open.
There are signs posted that recommend you park at the lower parking area that you first pass by when you drive in from the freeway, next to the fish hatchery (where there are people 24/7, and a window looks out onto the parking area), and during the summer, there is a camp host. Parking here will add about a half mile to your hike, but it is the safer place to park.
Metlako Falls is the first falls along Eagle Creek, serving as a stunning initiation into the area. At 82 feet, it represents one of the taller waterfalls along the Eagle Creek Trail (although the Forest Service seems to think the falls are much higher than 82 feet). The falls are named after a Native American goddess of salmon.
Hikers used to be able to view Metlako Falls from a downstream clifftop, accessed by a spur trail, the Metlako Falls Trail. Overhanging maples were regularly pruned to offer a sterling photo opportunity from a cable-railed overlook. However, in December 2016, the section of the rim with the overlook collapsed into the gorge below, and the best sighting of the entire waterfall is from the approach on the main trail right after you spot Sorenson Falls.
What Makes Eagle Creek Trail Special
Eagle Creek Trail stretches about 13 miles through the Columbia River Gorge, a region famous for its rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes. The trail follows Eagle Creek itself, winding through dense old-growth forests and alongside sheer basalt cliffs. The sound of rushing water accompanies hikers almost the entire way, creating a peaceful and immersive atmosphere.
One of the trail’s highlights is the series of waterfalls that cascade down the cliffs. These include Punch Bowl Falls, a fan favorite, and Tunnel Falls, where the trail passes behind a curtain of water. The combination of water, rock formations, and greenery creates photo opportunities at every turn.
At the junction with the Lower Punch Bowl Trail, you can descend three-hundred-feet down into the gorge to a spot just upstream of Lower Punch Bowl Falls; however, the view of Punch Bowl Falls from the end of this spur trail no longer exists due to a 2018 landslide that blocked the creek, stay on the Eagle Creek Trail, and cross a massive crib wall constructed by the PCTA at a spot where the trail slid away. Soon, you'll come to the Punch Bowl Falls overlook, where you can view Punch Bowl Falls spouting into its circular amphitheater and magnificent deep pool below. You may recognize this viewpoint from photos and postcards. Please stay inside the guardrails. Every year, there is a story about someone falling from this spot and injuring themselves.
If you keep going beyond Punchbowl Falls, you will start working your way toward High Bridge. The trail will begin to rise again from the creek, and soon you will be elevated nearly one hundred fifty feet up on the edge of the cliffs, navigating a very narrow trail. Feel free to use the handrail cables bolted into the edge of the cliff and keep an eye out for oncoming traffic. This is where the trail can get tricky if you've brought a dog or children. Soon, you will come to High Bridge, a bridge that crosses a narrow chasm of the creek and looks down nearly two hundred feet to the water. This is an excellent spot for photos and can be challenging for those who are afraid of heights.
Planning Your Hike on Eagle Creek Trail
Before setting out, it’s important to prepare properly for the hike. The trail can be challenging in parts, with narrow paths and some steep sections. Here are some tips to help you get ready:
Start early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends and holidays.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip to handle slippery rocks and muddy patches.
Bring plenty of water and snacks to stay energized.
Check the weather forecast since rain can make the trail more difficult.
Carry a map or use a GPS app, as cell service can be spotty in the gorge.
Respect trail rules and stay on marked paths to protect the environment.
Best Times to Visit Eagle Creek Trail
The trail is accessible year-round, but the best time to visit is from late spring to early fall. During this period, the weather is generally mild, and waterfalls flow strongly from snowmelt. Fall brings vibrant foliage, while winter offers a quieter, snow-dusted landscape for those prepared for colder conditions.
Skoonichuk Falls is the fourth major waterfall along Eagle Creek, which one encounters when hiking upstream along the Eagle Creek Trail. The falls are flanked on the east by a lofty cliff that towers up above the base of the falls and provides ample shade from the sun during the first half of the day. Located near the top of the falls is one of the numerous camps (Blue Grouse Camp) along the Eagle Creek Trail, as well as easy access to views looking right down the center of the falls (use caution on the slick rocks around the falls).
Continue up the trail to Tunnel Falls. This fall is the traditional turnaround spot for many on the Eagle Creek Trail, and it is indeed a splendid climax. While this scene is impressive enough, the most bewildering aspect is the falls in the passageway behind them. Trail builders from the early 1900s blasted a tunnel behind the falls and then across the sheer rock face on their far side, making this area the slickest and perhaps most precarious section of trail in the Columbia River Gorge. Looking downstream from the falls, you can see where the two forks of Eagle Creek converge, meeting at Grand Union Falls.
Please avoid the temptation to descend to the creek via the large slide on the near side, as so many have done before. Putting aside the obvious danger, the area is eroding before its time, destroying the flora and fauna in the area.
Visitors to this area may choose to continue less than a half-mile ahead to the two-tiered, Twister Falls (some guidebooks call it "Crossover Falls"). It is well worth the minimal additional effort if time affords. It is difficult to see the full span of Twister Falls, but more impressive is the trail to it. Many have referred to this stretch as the "Vertigo Mile" because of the walls of the gorge that surround you.
Twister Falls is aptly named as the waterfall twists and turns violently down the sheer cliff it plunges off of. The trail to Twister Falls is somewhat death-defying as it rests on the edge of a massive cliff and at some points gets as narrow as a foot wide.
What to Expect Along the Trail
The trail begins near the Eagle Creek Trailhead, where parking is available but fills up quickly. From there, the path follows the creek, gradually climbing through a forest of Douglas firs, western red cedars, and bigleaf maples. The canopy overhead filters sunlight, creating a cool and shaded environment.
Waterfalls and Scenic Spots
Punch Bowl Falls: About 2 miles in, this waterfall is famous for its wide, bowl-shaped pool. It’s a great spot to rest and take photos.
Tunnel Falls: Around 6 miles from the trailhead, the path goes behind the waterfall through a man-made tunnel carved into the cliff. This unique feature offers an unforgettable experience.
Metlako Falls: A short side trail leads to this 100-foot waterfall, visible from a viewpoint overlooking the gorge.
Wildlife and Plant Life
The trail is home to a variety of wildlife, including black-tailed deer, river otters, and numerous bird species like the northern flicker and pileated woodpecker. Wildflowers bloom in spring and summer, adding bursts of color to the green surroundings.
Sevenmile Falls is the uppermost of the seven major waterfalls along Oregon's Eagle Creek Trail. Coincidentally, it happens to occur near the seven-mile mark of the Eagle Creek trail, and is the seventh waterfall along Eagle Creek. Since most hikers on the Eagle Creek Trail turn around after either Tunnel or Twister Falls, few see this waterfall, although it is just a quarter mile further up. Brush along the edge of the trail and encroaches around the top of the falls, unfortunately obstructing just enough of the falls that there are no one-hundred percent clear views from the trail.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
Eagle Creek Trail has seen some damage from wildfires and rockfalls in recent years. Trail maintenance efforts continue, but hikers should stay alert for unstable areas or closures. Carrying a first aid kit and hiking with a partner is advisable.
Leave no trace principles are crucial here. Pack out all trash, avoid disturbing plants and animals, and respect other hikers’ space. The trail’s popularity means it can get crowded, so patience and courtesy go a long way.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
After hiking Eagle Creek Trail, visitors can explore other parts of the Columbia River Gorge. Nearby attractions include:
Multnomah Falls: Oregon’s tallest waterfall, just a short drive away.
Hood River: A charming town known for windsurfing and local wineries.
Bonneville Dam: Offers educational tours and fish viewing areas.
Dining options and accommodations are available in nearby towns, making it easy to extend your outdoor adventure.
Now, the fun part, and it's time to turn around and head back the same trail you came in on. If you made it to Seven Mile Falls, you have a seven-mile hike back to your vehicle.
Tips for doing this hike.
I would leave the kids and dogs at home on this hike. It is very slippery and narrow in places, and watching your kids or a dog may make things unsafe for you.
Beating the Crowds: Before you even think about going to the Eagle Creek Trail, know that you'll have to contend with crowds. Even back in 1919, when the trail was built, it had about 150,000 visitors a year. Today, it's many more, mainly limited by the lack of parking (more on that in a sec). The best time to visit without a crowd is to arrive at sunrise. In the late afternoon, parking tends to open up as well. And obviously, weekdays are better than weekends, although the lots do fill up on weekdays too. So if you show up at 9 am on a Saturday, don't expect to do the hike.
Further down from the trailhead, there is a parking area along the road, with space for about 10 cars. The last option for parking is at Eagle Creek Day Use Area, by the salmon hatchery, right at the turn off for Eagle Creek Loop Road. That lot has about 30 parking spaces. This lot also has bathrooms (in fact, the bathroom is named "Big John").
Park along the side of the road at your own risk; illegally parked cars are towed.
You need a parking pass here. You can self-pay at the trailhead, use a Northwest Forest Pass, or display a (worth every penny) National Parks pass.
Another option is to stay at the historic Eagle Creek Campground, which is by the hatchery. If you stay at the campground, you can park your car there while you hike. As you would expect in the Pacific Northwest, it can get very wet here. There are stream crossings, water runoffs, and mud. It's a safe bet to wear shoes that you're comfortable getting wet in. The trail surfaces, which are sometimes raw rock blasted out of the cliff, can be slippery.
If you use trekking poles, I'd recommend just using one. On the various cable sections, you will be able to hold the cable with one hand and a trekking pole with the other. The trail is very gentle in terms of slope, so you don't need the poles.
In the winter, the trail can be snowy and icy, in which case I don't recommend doing it (and the Forest Service may also close it if that's the case). There are sheer cliff walls that you do not want to slip off of, and if you do, it will take a long time for a rescue team to get in and be able to help you. And the upper part of the Eagle Creek Trail, past the seven-and-a-half-mile camp toward Wahtum Lake, is generally snow-covered and often impassable during the winter.
GPS can be inaccurate when you are hiking along the cliff faces. Luckily, the trail is easy to follow without any tricky navigation.
Numerous side creeks feed into Eagle Creek. It's usually easy to access water to refill your bottles. Just make sure you use a water filter before you drink anything from here.
Final Thoughts on Eagle Creek Trail
The Eagle Creek Trail is more than a hike—it’s a passage into Oregon’s wild heart. From the roar of Punch Bowl Falls to the dizzying heights of Tunnel Falls, every step along its canyon walls feels like a dialogue between human endurance and nature’s grandeur. The trail challenges with narrow ledges and rewards with waterfalls that tumble in endless motion, reminding us that beauty often lies just beyond the edge of comfort.
“Gather your courage, lace your boots, and answer the call of Oregon’s canyon of waterfalls…”
Adventurers, the Eagle Creek Trail is no ordinary path—it is a proving ground carved by water and stone. Here, basalt cliffs rise like guardians, waterfalls thunder with untamed force, and narrow ledges test your resolve. This is not a trail for the timid; it is a journey for those who seek awe and embrace challenge.
Claim the Heights: Stand at Tunnel Falls, where the trail cuts through rock and the cascade roars beside you.
Honor the Wild: Respect the canyon’s fragility, its moss-draped walls, and the rivers that have shaped it for millennia.
Carry the Legacy: Every step you take joins the footsteps of countless hikers who have sought adventure in this rugged gorge.
The Eagle Creek Trail calls not just for exploration, but for reverence. Rally your spirit, gather your companions, and step boldly into Oregon’s wilderness. The waterfalls await, the cliffs demand respect, and the trail promises memories forged in courage.
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