Portland Air Tours

Experience Multnomah Falls From Above: One of Portland’s Most Spectacular Scenic Flights

There’s something primal about the raw power of a waterfall: the thundering cascade of water, the endless dance of light on mist, the feeling of being small in the presence of something massive and ancient. Multnomah Falls, plunging 620 feet in a double cascade through basalt cliffs, is Oregon’s tallest waterfall and a testament to the wild beauty that draws people to the Pacific Northwest.

While over two million visitors each year make the pilgrimage to crowd the viewing platforms below, craning their necks to take in the waterfall’s full height, a select few discover what might be the best way to visit Multnomah Falls: from the air. Here, suspended in the peaceful realm above the Columbia River Gorge, you can witness this natural wonder the way eagles do, watching silver ribbons of water catch the sunlight as they fall through space.

Soar Above the Crowds at Multnomah Falls

If you’re wondering, “Are tickets required for Multnomah Falls?” the answer is yes. During peak season, you’ll need timed entry permits, navigate packed parking lots, and share narrow viewing paths with hundreds of other visitors. But imagine instead soaring above it all, watching the waterfall’s majesty unfold beneath you like a living map.

Our Portland scenic flights offer something ground-based visitors never experience: seeing how Multnomah Falls fits into the broader tapestry of the Columbia River Gorge. From this unique Portland scenic overlook, you’ll witness how the waterfall carved its path through six distinct layers of volcanic basalt over 400,000 years. Away from the crowds and highway noise, you can appreciate the scale and majesty of this natural landmark.

A Year-Round Aerial Spectacle

While researching how to book your tickets to visit Multnomah Falls, you might worry about timing your visit perfectly. From the air, every season offers its spectacular display:

  • Winter transforms the falls into ethereal ice sculptures
  • Spring maximizes water flow as snowmelt feeds the cascade
  • Summer surrounds the falls with lush green forests
  • Fall paints the gorge in vibrant autumn colors
 

Unlike ground-based viewing, our Portland plane rides provide consistent access and clear viewing angles regardless of ground conditions or crowds.

Skip the Hike, Take Flight

Our 40-minute Wonderful Waterfalls tour departs from Troutdale Airport, just minutes from downtown Portland. While hiking to the top of Multnomah Falls means climbing the equivalent of 60 flights of stairs, our experienced pilot guides the aircraft effortlessly above the cascade.

From your window seat, you’ll have unobstructed views for photography, while our careful flight path ensures you see the falls from multiple angles impossible to capture from the ground.

Where Water Meets Stone

The Columbia River Gorge tells an epic story best understood from above. This vast canyon, stretching over 80 miles and up to 4,000 feet deep, was carved by some of the most powerful floods in Earth’s history. The Missoula Floods at the end of the last ice age released walls of water up to 1,200 feet high, scouring the landscape and creating the dramatic cliffs and basalt formations we see today.

Along these ancient walls, Multnomah Falls is just one of over 90 waterfalls on the gorge’s Oregon side, with the highest concentration of waterfalls in North America.

From the air, you can trace the paths of multiple cascades as they tumble through layers of Columbia River Basalt, each layer representing a different volcanic eruption that occurred millions of years ago. Latourell Falls plunges in a single elegant strand over columnar basalt. Horsetail Falls lives up to its name as it spreads into a delicate fan. Wahkeena Falls dances down a series of tiers through a narrow canyon.

Hidden Waterfalls, Unseen Landscapes

Our flight path reveals how these waterfalls connect to a complex network of streams and springs fed by snowmelt from Mount Hood and rainwater captured by the dense forest above. Many of these falls remain hidden gems tucked into steep canyons or shrouded by old-growth forests. While hiking trails can take you to some of these falls, others remain visible only from the air, their remote locations protecting their pristine beauty.

You’ll also witness how the gorge forms a crucial transition zone between wet western Oregon and the arid eastern plateau. This unique geography creates a diversity of ecosystems within a relatively small area, from temperate rainforests to oak woodlands to grasslands. During your flight, you might spot the distinct boundary where Douglas fir forests give way to Ponderosa pine, marking this remarkable ecological transition.

The Gorge's National Heritage

This dramatic landscape has drawn people for over 11,000 years, from the Native American tribes who first fished these waters to the Lewis and Clark expedition that passed through in 1805. Today, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area protects 292,500 acres of public and private lands, preserving natural wonders and cultural heritage for future generations.

From our aerial vantage point, you’ll understand why Congress granted this special designation, the first of its kind in America, to protect this remarkable landscape.

Pacific Northwest Scenic Flights

While our Wonderful Waterfalls tour showcases the crown jewel of the Columbia River Gorge, it’s just one of the breathtaking adventures waiting for you in the Pacific Northwest. Soar around the snow-capped peak of Mount Hood, witness the raw power of Mount St. Helens, or see Portland’s elegant skyline sparkle at sunset.

Each flight offers a distinct perspective on Oregon’s diverse landscape, including coastal waves, volcanic peaks, urban landmarks, and pristine wilderness.

Ready to Book Your Scenic Air Tour?

Whether you’re a Portland local looking for a new way to experience familiar landmarks or a visitor seeking the ultimate Pacific Northwest adventure, your flight awaits. Our year-round tours mean you can witness the changing seasons from above.

Join the fortunate few who experience Oregon’s majesty from above. Book your flight today and prepare for views that will take your breath away.

Flights depart daily from Troutdale Airport, weather permitting. Advance reservations are recommended to secure your preferred date and time.

We look forward to flying with you!

Get in touch with us and we will get back to you with answers to any questions you might have about our scenic flights!