Fire Impacts
This trail was impacted by the 2017 Eagle Creek fire. We encourage hikers to be extra alert when hiking in burned areas in the Gorge. Falling trees, landslides, and debris flows are more likely in the burned areas because of unstable soil due to less vegetation to hold it in place.
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On the Trail
See one spectacular waterfall with a short walk, or three more waterfalls on a longer bike ride or hike. The easiest-to-see waterfall is 227-foot Starvation Creek Falls, viewable via a 0.1-mile walk at Starvation Creek Park, possibly the most scenic rest area in Oregon.
Or see all four waterfalls on a flat, 5.6-mile round-trip hike or ride on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, from Viento State Park to Lindsey Creek.
Permits & Pets
The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and Viento and Starvation Creek State Parks are managed by Oregon State Parks. No passes are required at Starvation Creek. An Oregon State Parks pass is required at Viento. Dogs must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long.
Trail Notes
- From Viento State Park, find the State Trail at the west end of the day use parking area. Ride or walk west to Starvation Creek Falls and three other waterfalls.
- If you start at Starvation Creek State Park, the path to Starvation Creek Falls begins behind the restrooms. Interpretive panels give the backstory to the intriguing name. From here, walk west on the State Trail to the three waterfalls.
- First, come to Cabin Creek Falls (220 feet in two drops), on Cabin Creek.
- Next is manmade Hole-in-the-Wall Falls (96 feet in two drops) on Warren Creek. It has an unusual origin. In 1939, debris carried by Warren Creek had damaged the Historic Columbia River Highway bridge over the creek. Rather than move or reinforce the bridge, highway engineers decided to move Warren Creek Falls, which was located upstream of the bridge. A tunnel to divert Warren Creek was blasted into the cliff, Hole-in-the-Wall Falls was born, and Warren Creek Falls went dry, thousands of years after it first began dropping off the cliff.
- The next waterfall to the west is Lancaster Falls on Wonder Creek. It drops 303 feet, but only the lowest parts of it can be seen from the trail.
- Until completion of the State Trail’s next section to the west—Lindsey Creek to Wyeth—the trail ends at the bridge over Lindsey Creek. From the creek, return to your starting point via the same route.
- Please always stay on the trail and clean your boots before and after you hike. Hikers are a common vector for spreading invasive seeds.
- Restrooms are east of the parking area, at the campground.
Post-Hike Explorations
Visit Viento State Park’s beach to watch kiteboarders, wade, or swim. From the day use parking area on the south side of I-84, cross over the freeway, and drive past the campground to the river access parking lot. Views are spectacular: Across the river is 2,948-foot Dog Mountain and to its east 3,014-foot Cook Hill. From here, Hood River’s brewpubs are just another 7 miles farther east, off I-84, at exit 63.
Nearby Hikes
Directions & Travel Tips
For the longer hike or bike ride, start at Viento State Park. From east- or westbound I-84, take exit 56. Drive to the day use parking area on the south side of I-84. Restrooms are east of the parking area, at the campground.
To start at Starvation Creek Falls, from eastbound I-84: Take exit 55/Starvation Creek State and drive to the parking area. Westbound I-84: Take exit 51/Wyeth and return to eastbound I-84, then take exit 55 as described above. Restrooms are at the east end of the parking area.