I’ll write this from my knowledge of the park. Guy W. Talbot State Park is well-known for Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.

Guy W. Talbot State Park

Tucked along the Historic Columbia River Highway just 30 miles east of Portland, Guy W. Talbot State Park is home to Latourell Falls — one of the most striking and accessible waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. The falls plunge 249 feet over a basalt cliff streaked with bright yellow lichen, creating a scene that feels almost otherworldly against the lush green canyon walls.

The park’s main trail leads from the parking area to a viewpoint at the base of Latourell Falls in just a few minutes, making it one of the easiest waterfall hikes in the Gorge. For those wanting more, a 2.4-mile loop trail climbs above the falls and passes Upper Latourell Falls before looping back — a moderate hike with rewarding views throughout. The surrounding old-growth forest of Douglas fir and western red cedar adds to the sense of being deep in the wilderness, despite being so close to the highway.

Guy W. Talbot is a day-use park with no camping facilities. Picnic areas are available near the trailhead, shaded by towering conifers. The park is open year-round, though the falls are at their most dramatic in late winter and spring when snowmelt and rain swell the flow. Summer brings drier trails and lighter crowds on weekdays. Fall foliage adds warm color to the canyon.

No parking pass is required, making this an easy, free stop along any Gorge road trip.

Explore Nearby

• Historic Columbia River Highway — Scenic Byway in Oregon
• Sandy Wild and Scenic River — Public Land in Oregon
• Lost Lake sits within the Widow Mountain Wilderness Study Area — Public Land
• Mount Hood National Forest — National Forest in Oregon
• Cedar Creek Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Washington