Catherine Creek Arch

Catherine Creek Arch from below

Quick Facts:  

1.84 mile loop

Moderately easy

Parking & bathrooms

Trailhead Location

Catherine Creek Arch is located just over the Oregon border in Lyle, Washington.  My husband and I went on a trip to Portland, Oregon, and I searched for arches near Portland.  Catherine Creek came up in my search.  I didn't realize that this arch was actually a Washington arch, not an Oregon arch, until we crossed the Columbia River and entered Washington.  It is in the Columbia Gorge area.

The hike is beautiful and moderately easy, although it is very windy up on top of the mountain.  There are loose volcanic rock throughout the hike, and there are steep sections so be careful not to fall on the loose rock.  You can't get under or on top of this arch because it has been fenced off due to its sacredness to the Native American people.  You can view it from below, but it cannot be seen from above because of the fences.

There is a parking lot and bathrooms at the trailhead.  There are numerous trails there, and not very good signage, so I'd recommend downloading the trail map on All Trails.  There are several forks in the road and it's not clear which way to go without the app.  

The trail is a loop that you can take either way.  We chose to go left on the loop, and that's what I would recommend.  The arch comes into view at about half a mile into the hike.  The trail takes you up on top of the mountain gradually, and then you walk past the top of the arch.  You cannot see the opening from above.  A lot of the fences have been knocked down, probably by people who were trying to see the opening.  There are signs reminding people to show respect for the Native American culture and not to enter the fenced area.

As we stood on top of the mountain looking at where we thought the arch was probably located, the winds were extremely high and I was grateful they weren't blowing towards the west or they might have blown us right off the cliff.  

The hike is only 1.84 miles total and was a great start to our morning.  The arch is located here:  Catherine Creek Arch

Headed from Portland towards Catherine Creek Arch trailhead, which is just across the Oregon border in Washington

Highway 84

about to head over the Hood River Bridge into Washington

The Columbia River from Hood River Bridge

Hood River Bridge

Heading into Washington

My husband and I headed to the arch

The Catherine Creek Trailhead, there is plenty of parking

The porta potties at the Catherine Creek Arch trailhead

view from the parking lot

The porta-potty is on the opposite side of the road from the arch trailhead

view of the parking lot and trailhead

There are a lot of different trails in the area.  I used my All Trails app to be sure I was staying on the right trail.  There are a few signs also.

This sign is at the trailhead

beautiful view back at the river

Beautiful flowers along the way

There are a few of these signs placed in the area of the arch to keep people from standing under it or viewing it from above

we crossed this little "creek"

our first view of the arch as we got closer to it

Catherine Creek Arch hidden behind the trees

The fence that protects the arch

The fenced area below the arch

As we walked around the fenced area we found some better views of the arch

Me under the arch

After passing by the arch is when the best views can be seen

looking up at Catherine Creek Arch

My husband and I outside the fenced area that protects the arch

continuing on the trail after the arch -- it slowly winds up on top of the cliff to pass by the top of the arch, although you cannot see the arch from above

continuing on the trail

it was a slow and steady up hill

beautiful views on the trail

one of many divides in the trail -- use your All Trails app to be sure where to turn

We saw a lot of runners on the trail and other trails while we were there

beautiful foliage on the trail

almost to the top

my husband and I on the trail

beautiful view of the Columbia River

The top of the arch is inside this fenced area

The top of the arch is somewhere along the rock line, but I couldn't ever see the opening.  It appeared that many people had gone over the fence to take a look.  Several parts of the fence had been broken.

I wish we could have gotten closer to the top of the arch so that we could have seen the opening

beautiful view from above the arch

This might be the top of the arch

top of the arch

The rock ridge that could be the top of the arch is very long

I wondered if this might be the top of the arch, but from below I can't tell if there's a tree right behind it.

This rock ridge is directly across from another reminder about the arch being sacred to Native Americans.  So it's possible that this is actually the top of the arch

It was incredibly windy, but this is a sign that was posted on the fence above the arch

View from the side of the fence - there isn't even a hint of an opening behind this rock wall

heading down on the trail

view down on the trail

The bridge off in the distance - we end up crossing that later

Here's the bridge

This was a fun bridge to cross

views from the bridge

off the other side of the bridge

Back at the trailhead

back on the Lewis & Clark Road again, headed back in the direction of Portland

back across Hood River Bridge

back in Oregon again

back on Highway 84 again

Video of my All Trails hike of Catherine Creek Arch

Here are screenshots from my Map My Run app:

The total loop distance of the Catherine Creek Arch trail

This is how far into the hike we came across the arch

The All Trails app distance varied slightly from my Map My Run app distance

Following this hike we also hiked to Wahclella Falls, visited Bridge of the Gods, hiked Multnomah Falls, hiked Bridal Veil Falls, drove past the Vista House, and then headed to the airport.

Wahclella Falls

Wahclella Falls is only a 39 minute drive away from the Catherine Creek Arch trailhead.  It is along highway 84.  I first learned about Wahclella Falls when it kept appearing as a screensaver on my computer.  I saw that it was in Portland, and decided to visit it while we were in town.  It was worth the hike!

The trailhead location is here:  Google Maps location of Wahclella Falls trailhead

The lower parking lot was full, that is next to the trailhead, so we parked in the upper lot, which is about a quarter mile hike downhill to the trailhead.

the steep walk down from the upper parking lot to the trailhead

There are porta-potties right by the trailhead

The beginning of the trail

Near the beginning of the trail is Munra Falls, which is right next to the trail

Munra Falls

Munra Falls is located here: Google Maps location of Munra Falls

The waterfall continues below the bridge

Munra Falls on the trail

The trail is very well marked and very, very busy

the inside of a log next to the trail

Finally at Wahclella Falls

beautiful Wahclella Falls

view of the waterfall through a hole in the trees

My husband and I at Wahclella Falls in June 2026

There are several large buildups of logs below the waterfall

This is the view that always appeared on my computer home screen where I first learned about Wahclella Falls

one of the bridges we crossed on our hike

more of the log buildup

another of the bridges we crossed

on the bridge

view from the bridge

continuing back on the trail.  The trail is a loop, and on the way up we took the trail on the left.  We came back on the trail on the right.

back to Munra Falls again

Here is a video of Munra Falls:  Munra Falls

Munra Falls

James thought these mossy creations in the trees looked like dementors from Harry Potter

Here is a video of our visit to Wahclella Falls:  Wahclella Falls

Here are the stats of our hike from my All Trails app

These are the stats from my Map My Run app

Map My Run app shows this route

Map My Run showed .92 miles from the trailhead to the waterfall

Distance to Munra Falls along the trail to Wahclella Falls

Here is a video from my All Trails app:  All Trails route of Wahclella Falls

Bridge of the Gods

We also visited the Bridge of the Gods as we were driving highway 84.  It is a few miles from the Wahclella Falls trailhead.  Its google maps location is here:  Bridge of the Gods  It is also in Cascade Locks.  The bridge is 1,858 feet long and 35 feet wide.  It is 135 feet above the Columbia River.  It was built in 1926.  The bridge gave us a brochure that states that scientists believe that 1,000 years ago a giant landslide blocked the Columbia River Gorge and stopped the river's flow.  This natural dam eventually became a natural stone bridge, which collapsed and created the Cascade Rapids.  There are also Native American legends about the natural bridge, which are detailed in the brochure from the Port of Cascade Locks.  It costs $3 to cross the toll bridge.  

Google Maps screenshot of Wahclella Falls and Bridge of the Gods along Highway 84

Heading to Bridge of the Gods

The Bridge of the Gods

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is one of the most recognizable waterfalls in the world, because of the Benson Bridge at 105 feet above the ground, lending a beautiful view of the 620 foot waterfall.  Multnomah Falls has been featured in a few movies, most notably Twilight.  It can be seen in the background during the baseball scene.  The google maps location of Multnomah Falls is here:  Multnomah Falls  You can access parking for the falls a couple different ways -- exit 31 off of highway 84, which we tried first.  You have to have already purchased a timed entry before arriving, or else you're not likely to get in to see the falls because they only allow a limited number of people in from this parking lot.  Here is the website to purchase your timed entry:  Multnomah Falls Timed Entry

Luckily one of the workers told me to go back on Highway 84 to exit 35 (you could also use exit 28) and take the Historic Columbia River Highway instead.  This brought us to a different parking area right next to Multnomah Falls.  I'd recommend using this old highway in the first place because the views are beautiful and you can access other waterfalls and scenic places, like Vista House.  The parking is limited at this other Multnomah Falls parking area on the old highway.  Luckily when we arrived, there was one spot in the lot, so we got to park and go in.  It costs $20 to park for as long as you want.  From this lot it is only a short walk to the Multnomah Falls Lodge and the falls themselves, much closer than the other lot would have been.

We started our visit by eating lunch at the lodge, which was delicious.  Then we walked to the bathrooms, which were porta-potties outside, since they are remodeling the lodge.  And finally we headed over to view the Falls.  We hiked up to Benson Bridge to enjoy the views of the beautiful Multnomah Falls from there.  Then we decided to hike the trail, including all 11 switchbacks, all the way to the top.  It was a little bit scary for me because of my fear of heights, and as you climb up the switchbacks you are on a paved trail with the mountain on one side, and a steep drop-off on the other side.  There are a few places you can stop and view the falls as you climb up.  When we finally reached the top, the effort had been well worth it.  There is a viewpoint with a fence around it where you can look down on the top of the falls.  I was surprised that I couldn't see this viewpoint from the ground, or from the Benson Bridge.  It is well hidden on top of the waterfall.  If you have the energy, I highly recommend walking this trail all the way to the top.

Google Maps screenshot of the two parking areas for Multnomah Falls and the falls themselves

Exit 31 will take you to a parking area for Multnomah Falls, which is great if you've already purchased a timed entry.  Otherwise, I'd recommend taking exit 35 and following the Historic Columbia River Highway to another parking area, which is first-come-first-serve and is much closer to the falls.

Our view from the parking lot off of exit 31 on highway 84

This is where we were turned away because we hadn't already purchased a timed entry

view of the falls from the farther parking lot

We went back on highway 84 and took exit 35, then headed on the Historic Columbia River Highway towards the other Multnomah Falls parking area

driving on the old highway was very beautiful

The Multnomah Falls Lodge, which was under construction when we visited in June of 2026

We were lucky to get the last parking spot in the old highway parking area for the falls.  We paid at this machine, $20 for as long as we wanted to stay.

view of the falls from the closer parking lot off of the old highway

We ate lunch at the lodge before going to visit the falls

my husband and I eating lunch inside the lodge

the food was delicious and the wait wasn't too long

view of the falls and the Benson Bridge

the bathroom area, since the lodge was under construction

The Benson Bridge and Multnomah Falls

view of the bridge and the falls

hiking up to the Benson Bridge

The bridge is only a .2 mile hike -- definitely don't miss out on that!  Also, the 1 mile hike to the top of the falls is well worth it!

view of the Falls as we hiked to the bridge

beautiful foliage along the way

the hike to the bridge

heading onto the bridge

view of the Falls from the bridge

starting the hike up to the top

view of the falls from a viewpoint along the way

my husband and I at the viewpoint

view of the Columbia River and the highways from the falls viewpoint

looking down on the two parking areas

There are switchback signs all the way up the mile-long trail

the creek that runs into the waterfall

the falls above the falls that you can see from the ground or the bridge

the upper falls

the top of Multnomah Falls, looking down from the look-out area

view from the top of the falls

view from the top of the falls down at the parking lots

looking down from the top

My husband and I at the top of the waterfall

we started our trek down from the top

watch out for the poison oak

back to the viewpoint again

view from the trail down at the bridge

view of the falls from the trail

looking up at the top of the falls from the bridge - no sign of the overlook

view of the falls from the bridge

view down from the bridge

walking on the bridge

this is posted beside the bridge

looking down from the bridge

off the other side of the bridge, looking down

My husband took these photos of me on the bridge, from the viewpoint down below

view down from the bridge

signs on the way down from the bridge

view of the falls

last look up at the falls and the bridge

signs at the viewpoint

leaving the parking lot and heading out on the old highway

My Map my Run app showed that the distance to the top of Multnomah Falls was actually 1.25 miles

This is what the hike looked like on my Map My Run app

You can watch a video of our visit to Multnomah Falls here:  Multnomah Falls

Just for fun, here is a screenshot from Twilight with Multnomah Falls in the background.  Here is the scene that spotlights the falls:  Multnomah Falls in Twilight

Bridal Veil Falls

After visiting Multnomah Falls, I was really excited to also see Bridal Veil Falls.  I have seen the Bridal Veil Falls in Utah many, many times, and I wanted to see Oregon's version of the waterfall.  Google Maps took me to the top of the waterfall, which runs under a bridge that we drove over.  So I was able to see the falls from above, although it's not really a very good view.  We continued on the old highway until we found the parking area for Bridal Veil Falls.  Its google maps location is here:  Bridal Veil Falls

Google Maps screenshot of the Bridal Veil Falls viewpoint

It costs $12 to park in the Bridal Veil Falls parking lot.  The hike is short and easy down to the Bridal Veil Falls viewpoint, and is well worth the stop.

Here is a video of our visit to Bridal Veil Falls:  Bridal Veil Falls Oregon

Driving on the Historic Columbia River Highway we went through a tree tunnel like the one we drove through on Kauai, Hawaii

beautiful views on the old highway

google maps brought me to this spot when I typed in "Bridal Veil Falls."  It is the falls -- it's above them.  This is looking down from the bridge at the falls below.  Not a very good view.

This is the parking lot for the short hike down to the viewpoint

our first view of the falls from below

Bridal Veil Falls

my husband and I at the falls

the path back to the bridge and to the parking lot, but I wanted to get a little closer to the falls

As close as I dared to get to the falls

our last look at the falls

beginning the hike back

looking back at the falls

the bathrooms at the parking lot

We continued our beautiful drive on the old highway

beautiful views like this can be seen from Vista House

We thoroughly enjoyed our last day in Portland!  Then we headed to the airport!

Arches in the Portland Area:

Natural Rock Arch

Phantom Natural Bridge

Arch Cape Arch

Sea Lion Arch

Twin Rocks Arch

Three Arch Rocks

Catherine Creek Arch

Places to Stay in Portland

We stayed at the Fairfield by Marriott located in Lake Oswego, which is located here:  Fairfield Inn because it was centrally located to everywhere we wanted to go.  There is not a hot tub, but there is a heated pool and there is a pretty good hot breakfast, which included sausage patties, scrambled eggs, spinach quiche, and sometimes sausage patties or bacon.  There are also waffles, oatmeal, cereal, fruit, bagels, and bread.  The room was comfortable and clean and the staff was friendly.  Their official website is here:  Fairfield Inn & Suites

Resources to enhance your visit to Portland:

These items might make your adventure to Portland more enjoyable.  Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases.  This is at no additional cost to you.

Best Easy Day Hikes Portland

Columbia Women's Arcadia II Jacket (this is the rain coat that I use)

Compact Travel Umbrella

Portland Family Adventures

Portland Hiking Guide

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland