Looking for great places in the Columbia River Gorge?
Check out my guides to the Best of the Hood River Fruit Loop and Eating Up the Columbia River Gorge.
LOCATION
Punchbowl Falls Park is located outside Dee, Oregon, off Highway 281. The park is situated at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Hood River, midway between the towns of Hood River and Parkdale.
LENGTH
1.5 mile lollipop loop (with the lollipop in the middle)
DIFFICULTY
Easy/Moderate — The trail is well-maintained and mostly flat, especially the central trail, which follows an old road. There are, however, some brief steep sections to reach the river confluence. There are also no guardrails at the overlook above the falls. Keep a safe distance from the edge, and be especially careful when hiking with young children.
WE HIKED IT
April, 2021, about 45 minutes
CURRENT INFO
Punchbowl Falls Park is a Hood River County park created in 2016. Visit the Oregon Hikers website or Trailkeepers of Oregon for additional information and trail reviews.
GOOD TO KNOW
- There is no fee to park at Punchbowl Falls Park.
- A port-a-potty is available at the trailhead.
- Pets on leash are welcome.
- In summer when the water level is low, the confluence of the West and East Forks of Hood River is a wonderful swimming hole. Expect crowds on weekends! While lower water levels means more beach, it’s still a small area.
- The 0.75-mile hike along the service road to the confluence is mostly flat, but somewhat steep and narrow on the final decent to the river.
- Beware of poison oak! Avoid it by staying on the trail, and don’t touch unknown plants. The leaves, grouped together in threes (hence the well-known saying, “leaves of three, let it be”) range in color from bright to deep green, maroon, or fiery red. The leaves fall off in winter, but you can still get a rash from oil produced by the plant’s bare, stick-like branches.
HIGHLIGHTS
Hear the name, “Punchbowl Falls”, and a very different waterfall may come to mind for anyone familiar with the Columbia River Gorge. The more famous falls, located along Eagle Creek, is actually named “Punch Bowl” — two words instead of one. Humble Punchbowl Falls on the West Fork of the Hood River only became accessible via a public trail in 2016. It may not have the same allure as its more famous cousin, but the basalt amphitheater surrounding it is nonetheless stunning. These spectacular rock columns, together with the ramshackle staircase to a former fish ladder, steal the show. The trail is short but lovingly maintained, and is a good stop on a longer day trip.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
This short hike offers a quick payoff — you’ll reach the falls only a quarter mile beyond the trailhead. The kids were pretty impressed by the basalt amphitheater surrounding Punchbowl Falls, and also suitably wary of the steep overlook. Keep an eye on them, as this is no place to play around! Most of the trail, however, is easy, especially the old service road, which is perfect for running. On a hot summer day, the confluence can be a great place for some beach and swim time (well supervised, of course).
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Since the hike to Punchbowl Falls is short, it’s a great stop to include with another local hike, or when driving the Hood River Fruit Loop. Looking for a treat? Try the fruit soft serve at The Old Trunk, a funky antique store only a few miles from Punchbowl. The Apple Valley Country Store is another great stop, specializing in huckleberry milkshakes and local fruit jams. There’s even a nearby campground with a pleasant day use area, Tucker Park, located downstream along the Hood River.
For another fun, short hike in the area, head to the Mosier Plateau Trail, which also features a stunning waterfall. The Historic Columbia River Highway Trail connects Mosier with Hood River, and is an awesome way to take in the views from the seat of a bike.
Our Experience
During our stay in Hood River, we took one day to explore the Fruit Loop, a 30-mile drive between the towns of Hood River and Parkdale, connecting orchards, vineyards, and beautiful views of Mount Hood. To cap it off, we had a dinner reservation at Grateful Vineyard. In the meantime, we happily slurped fruit soft serve at The Old Trunk. It was undeniably delicious, but there was no way I could sit down for dinner without getting out and moving a bit first. With the trailhead for Punchbowl Falls a mere eight-minute drive away, I knew just the place.
It was a late Friday afternoon in April, and few other cars were parked at the Punchbowl Falls trailhead. We started off down the access road trail, a wide path carpeted with soft dirt and fir needles. A beautiful wood sign welcomed us to the park. In a matter of minutes, we came to the turnoff for the White Oak Trail, branching left toward the river. Following the trail, we soon spied a decrepit wooden staircase barely managing to cling to the side of the basalt cliffs. These stairs once provided access to a fish ladder built in the 1950s.
Just beyond the stairs, the river plunges down a tight, ten-foot drop to a wide pool ringed by mossy-topped basalt columns. In the distance, Mount Hood peeked over the trees. It’s a spectacular sight, although unfortunately marred by the concrete remains of the old fish ladder. The overlook to the falls is also a little unnerving. It’s a steep drop-off, with no guardrails or boundaries to protect you from the edge. I warned the kids to stay well away, and kept T close at hand.
From the Punchbowl Falls overlook, another waterfall, Dead Point Falls, is visible as it tumbles 75 feet to reach the Hood River. It’s a lovely falls, although tricky to photograph in the waning late afternoon sun. You’ll have to visit for yourself to see it at its best. A better, although still unprotected, view of Dead Point Falls is found just down the trail.
Beyond Dead Point Falls, we noticed a sign pointing toward the confluence. It was only another 0.3 miles, so Michael, J, and I headed onward, while T and my father-in-law stayed behind. Kudos to the volunteers who built this wonderful trail! I was particularly impressed by the expertly placed rocks lining the trail’s edge.
Before long, we were above the confluence, looking down as the rushing West and East Forks of the Hood River join together as one. A steep but short path led down to a rocky beach. J and I clambered down eagerly. It was a gorgeous spot. On one side, the East Fork frothed and foamed, tumbling over rocks worn smooth from the river’s relentless pummeling . On the opposite side, the West Fork, broad and shallow, rippled gently.
After enjoying a few minutes on the shore, we headed back up the trail and soon came to a crossroads. For the most part, signage at Punchbowl Falls is excellent, but without a map I was unsure where the trail branching off to our left led. Michael decided to try it, while J and I stayed to the right, returning the way we came.
As we walked, I admired the spring wildflowers, pausing to take a few photos. Soon we met with the access road, and it felt like only minutes before we were back at the car. But I was puzzled. Where were the others? My father-in-law and T were nowhere to be seen, nor was Michael. Earlier, we all agreed to walk along the access road on the return trip (or so I thought), but J and I passed no one. I headed back down the trail to investigate, calling out their names as I went.
It wasn’t long before I heard a reply. As it turns out, the rest of the family opted to return via the Dogwood Trail, a meandering path through the woods near the service road. Thankfully, the trails here are so close that it’s hard to lose anyone for long (but please don’t test that assertion — I would hate for anyone to actually lose a family member!). Now, with everyone together again, we set off for dinner. Punchbowl Falls was a charming hike — short, yes, but surprisingly satisfying. For those looking for a quick hike near Hood River, it’s just about perfect.
