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Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area, Near Portland, OR

Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area

A two-tier waterfall beside the Historic Columbia River Highway, reached by a short, stair-lined trail.

Near Portland, OR

About Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area

Shepperd's Dell is a state natural area along the Historic Columbia River Highway, often visited between the larger waterfalls on that route. Water drops in two tiers over steep cliffs into Youngs Creek and then toward the Columbia River below. Visitors can hear the falls from the historic bridge, but seeing them requires a brief trail with some short stairs down to the base. The park also has roadside parking on both sides of Highway 30. The land was originally given to Portland as a memorial by a local dairy farmer, and the city later passed it to the state.

  • #waterfall
  • #historic highway
  • #short trail
  • #day use
  • #Columbia River Gorge

What's around here?

The closest stops to Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing

    Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint

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    A small Columbia River Gorge state site with a steep trail down to a two-tier waterfall and a paved loop with river views.

    0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Guy W. Talbot State Park

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    Quiet Columbia Gorge picnic park beside the Historic Columbia River Highway, with access to Latourell Falls.

    1.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Rooster Rock State Park

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    Riverside day-use park on the Columbia River about 22 miles east of Portland, known for windsurfing and a basalt column.

    1.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Tour

    $50+

    A small-group day tour along the Historic Columbia River Highway, stopping at Vista House and a string of waterfalls.

    2.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing

    Crown Point State Scenic Corridor

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    A basalt cliff above the Columbia River Gorge, crowned by the historic Vista House observatory and rest stop.

    2.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Benson State Recreation Area

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    A state recreation area on the south shore of the Columbia River, a mile west of Multnomah Falls, with a lake for swimming and fishing.

    4.1 mi awayMore like this

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