Coming late May 2023: Multnomah Falls Timed Use Permits required at I-84/Exit 31
No permits are currently needed on the Historic Columbia River Highway.
This summer the U.S. Forest Service is requiring timed use permits to access Multnomah Falls from I-84 Exit 31. Between May 26 and Sept. 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., a Timed Use Permit will be required for each personal vehicle accessing Multnomah Falls from Exit 31. Multnomah Falls permits will be available online for a $2 transaction fee per vehicle.
Timed use permits will not be required on the Historic Columbia River Highway/U.S. 30 in 2023. However, parking is extremely limited at the small lot along the Historic Highway/U.S. 30 at Multnomah Falls. A concessionaire will be operating this lot on a first-come, first served basis. There are six ADA parking spots at this lot for those with valid ADA placards. When the parking lot is full, vehicles will not be allowed to stop or wait for an open space.
The most reliable way to see Multnomah Falls continues to be transit, by bicycle, or by tour/shuttle. Avoid the congestion by planning your trip in advance. Permits are only needed if you arrive by personal vehicle at I-84 Exit 31 for Multnomah Falls.
If you want to visit Multnomah Falls by personal vehicle, the best way is to take I-84 to Exit 31. Permits will be available on recreation.gov two weeks in advance of your visit date.
About the 2022 Waterfall Corridor Timed Use Permit pilot
The 2022 Waterfall Corridor Timed Use Permit pilot was successful in providing a safer, more reliable, enjoyable experience for visitors within the corridor. There was no dedicated funding source to operate the pilot in 2022 or in future summers. Last year, traffic continued to be the most congested at the Multnomah Falls parking lot on the Historic Highway/U.S. 30.
Based on what we learned last year, project partners will be targeting congestion at Multnomah Falls. The summer 2023 effort will help reduce congestion by:
- Reducing safety concerns and back ups on I-84 with required Timed Use Permits at Exit 31.
- Using a flagger to direct traffic at the Historic Highway/U.S. 30 crosswalk at Multnomah Falls.
- Using a private concessionaire to manage the small parking lot along the Historic Highway/U.S. 30 at Multnomah Falls.
View a study evaluating the performance of the 2022 Waterfall Corridor Timed Use Permit pilot project.
