Shepperd’s Dell Falls is a delicate, two-tiered waterfall tucked into a mossy basalt canyon beneath the Historic Columbia River Highway. Young Creek cascade about 50 feet into a fern-lined grotto before slipping quietly beneath a charming stone bridge.
Shepperd’s Dell was named for the wife of George Shepperd, the original landowner, who donated the land to in 1915. The bridge spanning the gorge dates back to 1913, when the original Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway was constructed, and is registered as a National Historic Landmark.
Built in the early 1900s, the arched bridge frames the falls beautifully and gives visitors an up-close view without a long hike. The setting feels intimate and almost secret—lush greenery clings to the cliffs, mist hangs in the air, and the sound of rushing water echoes softly through the narrow ravine.
Easily accessible year-round, Shepperd’s Dell is especially enchanting in spring when rainfall swells the flow and wildflowers dot the surrounding slopes. Though smaller than some of its famous Gorge neighbors, its quiet charm and storybook setting make it a memorable stop along the scenic drive.
As fall settles into the Pacific Northwest, storms begin to roll in, feeding Oregon’s magnificent waterfalls with even more power and beauty. Don’t let a little rain keep you away—this is when the cascades are at their most breathtaking. Once winter snow arrives, many falls become harder to reach (though still possible for the adventurous with the right gear). And with autumn’s brilliant foliage fast approaching, now is the perfect time to feel the mist of Oregon’s waterfalls on your face.
Our Chasing Waterfalls and Oregon Waterfall Wednesdays series continues. According to Northwest Waterfall Survey there are well over 1000 waterfalls in Oregon! We’ve set out to witness the beauty of as many as we can. We’ll share our finds with you, our guests, so you too can set out to Chase Waterfalls.
Peruse Chasing Waterfalls on our blog and while there explore Where To Stay. What To Do. Where To Eat. Where To Play. You’ll find a mountain of epic trip ideas for your next outdoor, cultural or culinary adventure in every corner of the state. Now more than two dozen inns are ready to help you plan your most EPIC Oregon road trip!
Get the Oregon Trail of Waterfall map and start the new year right with some Oregon inspiration. Our Oregon Trail of Waterfalls Map was created with your planning in mind. We included where to stay, things to do in Oregon, where to eat and of course, where to find some of the very best Oregon Waterfalls.
You’ll find a mountain of epic trip ideas for your next outdoor, cultural or culinary adventure in every corner of the state. Now more than two dozen inns are ready to help you plan your most EPIC Oregon road trip!
Oregon Association of Independent Inns are ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved member of the Oregon Association of Independent Inns.
Since 1989, the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has served as a statewide information network for its member properties, providing a unified voice for the industry with state regulatory and tourism agencies.
Now known as The Oregon Association of Independent Inns, we’re the same trusted organization, with a new name, a fresh look, and an expanded focus on independent lodging properties beyond traditional bed and breakfasts. Member properties represent a wide range of accommodations, from small guest cottages, cabins, and intimate two-room B&Bs to larger country inns, boutique hotels and dude ranches.
