Ponytail Falls
Ponytail Falls
5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
19 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
2
Average
0
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0
Nicole L
San Antonio, TX204 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
This was such a fun stop! After picnicking at Horsetail Falls, we followed the Horsetail trail head up some switchbacks until peeping upper Horsetail Falls - AKA, Ponytail. It's only 0.8 miles round-trip, out-and-back, and provides the unique experience of walking behind the falls. Excellent photo opportunities are abundant! Bring your tripod if you can.
Written 3 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorne B
Toronto, Canada512 contributions
Jul 2022
Not well marked from the street. You get there from the base of horsetail falls. It’s a 0.8 mile hike to the falls where you can walk behind the falls. There is also a small swimming hole. The water is very cold and refreshing.
Lots of good photo opportunities.
Lots of good photo opportunities.
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eatintheclaw
Enumclaw, WA329 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
If you visit Horsetail falls take the extra 30 minutes to hike up to see these falls. The trail does have loose rocks and can be a bit dangerous so keep the kids close. Once you get up to them you can walk behind them for a unique view. This place should be visited on weekdays early to avoid the crowds or go late in the evening.
Written 8 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
715amyc
Santa Barbara, CA36 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Short hike with great pay off. Hike to the falls is open, but the two side trails were closed due to the fire. Steep at times but pretty easy.
Written 15 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steamboat323
Windsor, CO616 contributions
Sept 2019
My husband and I visited Ponytail Falls and Horsetail Falls the day after we visited the more famous Multnomah Falls. Multnomah was so crowded that we vowed to get going earlier the next morning before the crowds arrived at any of our other stops.
When we arrived at Ponytail Falls and Horsetail Falls trailhead a little before 8 am on a Friday in early September, the parking lot was EMPTY. We couldn't believe it - absolutely empty. We wandered down the stone steps to Horsetail Falls and just soaked in the beauty of it and the solitude. Awesome photo opportunities. The water is so shallow and clear, you can see the pebbles on the bottom. There are a few picnic tables and boulders to sit on as well.
Next we went to the trailhead to Ponytail Falls. The sign indicated you could go up to Ponytail Falls but no further - apparently there's another set of falls along that path but it's too dangerous right now following the fires. But we did go to Ponytail Falls and it was BREATHTAKING.
An easy trail for casual hikers, with the caveat that it's packed dirt/ loose rock (minimal elevation gain) and a few narrow ledges where small rockslides had occurred following the fires. You wind around and pop out in front of the falls. The trail continues BEHIND the falls along a cave and you can actually stand behind the falls. There are lots of boulders and a large fallen tree trunk that you can carefully climb upon for fun photos. Be careful, the rocks are very slick when wet, even with trail shoes on. We did not see any bats or critters in the cave, though we laughed about both of us thinking those thoughts when we were there.
Wow. Just wow. You can get close enough on the shore to touch the waterfall. In summer, I imagine you can dip your toes in or maybe swim? Very cool stuff.
As we were leaving, another couple arrived in the parking lot. And when we drove back by a few hours later, the parking lot was almost full. Definitely not the same as our all-to-ourselves discovery. So go early, hike to Ponytail Falls, and you won't be disappointed!
This trail is rated as easy on the AllTrails app. The app helped us discover it.
(No restrooms but there are some at the next trailhead on that same road. Parking and access to the falls is FREE.)
When we arrived at Ponytail Falls and Horsetail Falls trailhead a little before 8 am on a Friday in early September, the parking lot was EMPTY. We couldn't believe it - absolutely empty. We wandered down the stone steps to Horsetail Falls and just soaked in the beauty of it and the solitude. Awesome photo opportunities. The water is so shallow and clear, you can see the pebbles on the bottom. There are a few picnic tables and boulders to sit on as well.
Next we went to the trailhead to Ponytail Falls. The sign indicated you could go up to Ponytail Falls but no further - apparently there's another set of falls along that path but it's too dangerous right now following the fires. But we did go to Ponytail Falls and it was BREATHTAKING.
An easy trail for casual hikers, with the caveat that it's packed dirt/ loose rock (minimal elevation gain) and a few narrow ledges where small rockslides had occurred following the fires. You wind around and pop out in front of the falls. The trail continues BEHIND the falls along a cave and you can actually stand behind the falls. There are lots of boulders and a large fallen tree trunk that you can carefully climb upon for fun photos. Be careful, the rocks are very slick when wet, even with trail shoes on. We did not see any bats or critters in the cave, though we laughed about both of us thinking those thoughts when we were there.
Wow. Just wow. You can get close enough on the shore to touch the waterfall. In summer, I imagine you can dip your toes in or maybe swim? Very cool stuff.
As we were leaving, another couple arrived in the parking lot. And when we drove back by a few hours later, the parking lot was almost full. Definitely not the same as our all-to-ourselves discovery. So go early, hike to Ponytail Falls, and you won't be disappointed!
This trail is rated as easy on the AllTrails app. The app helped us discover it.
(No restrooms but there are some at the next trailhead on that same road. Parking and access to the falls is FREE.)
Written 6 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd M
77 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
So, you start at Horsetail Falls and hike a bit to get to these. But it's totally worth it. There's a cave that you can walk under the falls. The falls drop into a little pool that you can swim in. The sound of the rushing water is super relaxing. We went to 6 falls, and these ones rivaled Multnomah for the best.
Written 23 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StefanieMD_69
Souderton, PA185 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The hike up is not paved, and it is up, up, up. DO IT ANYWAY! It really isn't a tough hike, just UP. When you get to the end WOW! It is truly beautiful, AND you get to walk UNDER the falls. SO COOL. We saw folks with small children, and they were having a bit of a time, but they did it!
Make sure to stop, you won't regret this one for sure.
Make sure to stop, you won't regret this one for sure.
Written 30 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon N
10 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Right before you get to Multnomah falls, you’ll hit ponytail falls which is smaller but still beautiful. People there were swimming too.
Written 11 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sdurkin24
St. Petersburg, FL162 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Definitely stop and see this while exploring the Columbia River Waterfalls - easy to park and see Horsetail falls below to see with barely any hike/walking. But even better, make the trail up to ponytail falls above - it's so much better because you literally get to walk behind and potentially swim if you want in this waterfall!! Unless you want to, don't stay on the tail after ponytail falls, it will take you on a hike to Onetonta Creek, away from where you parked your car.
Written 7 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqueline J
Lee's Summit, MO408 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
One of our favorite hikes! Easy to follow. trail is uphill. I would say easy to moderate, but the view is beautiful. You can walk under the fall. Not crowded at all, we enjoyed this much more than the more touristy Multnomah Falls.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the trail suitable for a two year old?
Is there a path accessible for strollers or wheelchair?
Written 17 May 2019
It is a short hike, there were several toddlers on the trail, but most were being carried as it is a step drop in some places.
No stroller or wheelchair access, due to the fires last year the trails are in rough shape.
Written 20 May 2019
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