Elowah Falls

Elowah Falls is part of John B. Yeon State Park located in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in the state of Oregon. Elowah is a hiker's paradise with a gentle rising gravel trail that permits access to two secluded waterfalls: (lower) Elowah Falls and (upper) McCord Creek Falls. This park was acquired in 1935 and is named in honor of John B. Yeon, who worked with Simon Benson in the early days of the Oregon State Highway Comission.


Elowah Falls is a 289 foot drop over basalt that must be seen to appreciate, unfortunately is the most under appreciated falls in the gorge but its a plus for hikers seeking peace and beauty without the crowds. At Elowah Falls, McCord Creek crashes into a huge amphitheater made up of several distinct lava flows. The view is breathtaking for sure.


Near the trailhead, between the railroad and the river, there once was a pulp mill. When you take the trail to Upper McCord Creek Falls you will cross one of the pipes that supplied water for the mill. The pipe route was uphill and then was used to lay where the trail is blasted out of the cliff at Point Nesmith. The intake for the pipe was a large pool in McCord Creek. I suggest you hike up to McCord first and it will be an easy hike down to Elowah. The hike up to McCord provides easy access and beautiful scenery of the gorge.








Elowah Falls Directions:
From Portland, OR, take I-84 east past Troutdale to exit 35. Turn left at the stop sign towards Dodson. After about 200 feet, turn right on Frontage Road. Drive 2 ¼ miles to the parking lot at Yeon State Park. To return, you can go back on Frontage Road or merge into the eastbound lane of I-84 and turn around at the next exit.

Notes:
Small parking lot, no permits are needed and no restrooms either