Greg Lief

Shepperd's Dell Falls

Western Gorge, Oregon

The short paved trail to the falls can be found on the east side of the bridge. The lower falls is a horsetail formation  and the upper falls is a plunge formation.The falls total height is 220 ft. The name of the creek is Youngs Creek.


Here the Shepperd's Dell Bridge on the Historic Columbia River Highway crosses over a dell, a small wooden valley. This is significant since this was the answer to one of the engineering challenges of the highway's construction. The dell was carved by a creek that includes two fairly substantial tumbling waterfalls. Due to the topography of the area, it is difficult to photograph the falls. As such, the bridge is what is normally pictured, and thus is arguably better known than the dell itself or the waterfall.

Trail Map

Driving Directions

Shepperd's Dell Falls is located immediately off of the Historic Columbia River Highway, 4 miles east of Crown Point or about 1.75 miles west of Bridal Veil State Park. Parking can be found on the east side of the bridge, with a short trail leading to a viewpoint adjacent to the lower portion of the falls.