Oneonta Falls had been on my "must-do" adventure list for ages. It is just one of the many waterfalls located through the Columbia River Gorge, but it is unique in that you must hike through water to reach the bottom of the falls.
Parking is along the road in the designated areas by the Oneonta Bridge.
Once through the tunnel, the hike starts on the left. A staircase leads down to the river. Almost immediately, there is a log-jam you must climb over. This is where many people turn back. Just go slow and don't slip!
Following the log-jam, the trail is just the creek for about 0.6 miles. Get ready to get wet! I wore neoprene socks in my shoes so my feet stayed warm. I highly recommend finding a pair! Kingston's feet were frozen by the end of the short hike, but I felt comfortable the entire time.
We did this hike in May during a drought year, so there were only one or two thigh-deep water spots and one chest-deep spot. I imagine during the winter or in years with more rain, this hike is probably much more difficult.
Overall, Kingston and I LOVED this hike. It had everything we look for. Short and slightly challenging with a large reward.
Packing list:
- neoprene socks
- sneakers (we saw some people do this in flip flops, but sneakers keep the rocks and branches out)
- waterproof bag for camera (ziploc bag is fine unless it is raining. Most people just held their bags above their head for the small sections that are chest-deep)
