Dry Creek Falls is a 230-foot series of plunges on Dry Creek in Hood River County, Oregon, in the Columbia River Gorge just southeast of Cascade Locks. A side trip off the Pacific Crest Trail leads to its lowest drop, a 74-foot plunge in a narrow gorge, with a concrete water diversion at its foot.
The falls
The falls counts five drops totaling 230 feet. Only the bottom one, a 74-foot plunge about 5 feet wide, is seen from the trail; the other tiers hide in the canyon above. Below the falls, a concrete dam diverts the creek into a tunnel that supplies water to Cascade Locks.
Getting there
Two trailheads serve the hike. The traditional start is Toll House Park: from I-84 exit 44, follow signs toward the Bridge of the Gods and turn into the wooded park before the tollbooth. A Northwest Forest Pass is required, or $5 cash can be paid at the kiosk. Restrooms are at the trailhead. Cross the bridge approach road to pick up the Pacific Crest Trail.
The newer paved Bridge of the Gods Trailhead on Harvey Road, south of I-84, has about 20 spaces and connects directly to the PCT. It is day use only with no facilities yet. The Port of Cascade Locks charges $1 an hour or $5 a day there (zone 6477, pay by app, online or phone), and overnight parking is not allowed.
Follow the PCT about a mile to a power line access road, turn right under the lines, then left at the PCT sign. Near the 2-mile mark, a gravel road climbs about a quarter mile up Dry Creek to the falls. The hike is rated moderate, 4.4 miles out and back with 700 feet of gain.
When to go
Dry Creek flows all year, with high flows around 20 cubic feet per second for seven months, dropping to about 3 during the dry five months. Autumn color appears around the falls.
On site
The trail ends at the base of the lowest plunge. The upper tiers can only be reached by canyoneering with ropes and wetsuits. The hike is considered family friendly, and keeping dogs leashed is recommended.
History and name
From 1896 to 1937, water from the creek powered the lock gates at Cascade Locks. With the flow diverted, the creek bed below ran dry, which gave Dry Creek its name.
Nearby
Upper Dry Creek Falls is about 0.2 mile away, an unnamed waterfall on Dry Creek about 0.4 mile and Pacific Crest Falls about 1.3 miles. The town of Cascade Locks is about 1.5 miles northwest.
Distances are straight-line.