Wahkeena Picnic Area
Page Index
April 30, 2020
The USFS' picnic area at Wahkeena Falls used to be part of the City of Portland's Benson Park. Today, due to the Union Pacific tracks, there is no legal access between the, now, State Park, accessed only from I-84 Eastbound, and the falls area.
"In 1915, Simon Benson, Portland businessman and philanthropist, donated approximately 400 acres in this vicinity to the City of Portland. Thus both Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls came into public ownership. Later, the land was transferred to either the U.S. Forest Service [Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls] or to the Oregon State Parks Department [Benson State Recreation Area]."
Mershon, East of the Sandy III, 50
1946 State Parks Report: Benson State Park
When the Benson Park tract was conveyed to the State, the City transferred all of their holdings south of the railroad right of way to the United States Forest Service and they became a part of its previously established Columbia Gorge Park.
When owned by the city a CCC Camp was established on this tract near Wahkeena Falls, and its members were employed several periods. They erected some buildings, built good trails to the scenic upland points, did considerable roadside and trailside clean up, extensive fire hazard reduction. In this area, where forest fires are a potential danger throughout the entire fire season, clean up adjacent to highway and trails is essential.
W. A. Langille
State Parks Historian
December 5, 1945
USFS: Wahkeena Falls
Wahkeena Falls is day use area and trail situated at the base of beautiful Wahkeena Falls, just west of Multnomah Falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway. One of stops along the famed waterfall area on the Historic Highway, it connects with a network of trails that make for great day hike loop opportunities, and world-class scenery. The 242-foot falls is a tiered type of waterfall, named after the Yakama word for "most beautiful". While not as tall as nearby Multnomah, it is no less lovely.
Amenities at the picnic area (north of the highway) include a large picnic shelter with a stone fireplace, along with accessible picnic tables and fire rings.
Many people ask about reservations for weddings. This is a first-come, first-served area. If the group will be larger than 75 people, a special use permit is required.
USFS: Wahkeena Fallshttps://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recarea/?recid=29996
"Prior to the flood of 1964, numerous attractive outdoor fireplaces built either by Italian stone masons or Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers in the '30s were found here. The park was devastated by the flood, which turned each of the Gorge streams into raging, destructive torrents."
Mershon, East of the Sandy III, 50