Celestial Falls
Wasco County, Oregon
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 43 ft (13 m)
- Location
- Wasco County, Oregon
- Access status
- State park canyon trail to the power plant viewpoint
- The walk
- Short, steep canyon walk; the full out-and-back to Lower White River Falls is 1.4 miles
- Ground & access
- Steep, rough, rocky canyon trail with about 150 feet of elevation change, per Oregon State Parks. Poison ivy and rattlesnakes are reported. Oregon State Parks says swimming is not recommended because of dangerous currents.
Celestial Falls is the lower step of White River Falls, a drop of about 41 to 45 feet a short way downstream of the main falls. From the parking area, an overlook of White River Falls is a short walk on flat gravel. For Celestial Falls, take the trail down the slope, cross the wide wooden catwalk in front of the old settling pond, and keep left down the railroad-tie steps to the old power plant. A rough scramble path to the right gives an early view, but Oregon Hikers advises staying on the main trail. The best view of Celestial Falls and its basalt amphitheater is from behind the power plant. Return the same way, uphill.
Plan your visit
White River Falls State Park parking area, down the canyon trail to the old power plant below the falls
Oregon Hikers gives 1.4 miles round trip for the canyon walk from the trailhead to Lower White River Falls, which passes the Celestial Falls views. Oregon State Parks describes the canyon trail as a steep, rough 0.7-mile trail to the power plant and on to Lower White River Falls.
Steep, rough, rocky canyon trail with about 150 feet of elevation change, per Oregon State Parks. Poison ivy and rattlesnakes are reported. Oregon State Parks says swimming is not recommended because of dangerous currents.
Where to start
Graveled parking area 0.1 miles inside White River Falls State Park, off Highway 216 about 4 miles east of Highway 197. In winter the gate is closed and visitors park at the main gate and walk in.
Timing & water
Open year-round for day use. The main parking lot and flush restrooms close from November 1 to mid-March. Flow is strongest in spring and drops to trickles by fall.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned on the Oregon State Parks page for this park.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- Oregon Hikers Field Guide: White River Falls Hike
- Oregon Hikers Field Guide: White River Falls
- Oregon State Parks: White River Falls State Park
- Oregon State Parks: White River Falls State Park
- Oregon State Parks: White River Falls State Park
- Oregon State Parks: White River Falls State Park
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Celestial Falls
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
White River FallsResearched visit notesWasco County, OR0.0 miNW
Lower White River FallsState park canyon trail and user trail to the falls20 ft (6 m) · Wasco County, OR0.2 miSE
Sherar's FallsPartial guide: public viewing and parking spots on tribal land not described in detail15 ft (4.6 m) · Wasco County, OR3.0 miE- Cushing FallsWasco County, OR26 miN
Tamanawas FallsResearched visit notes108 ft (33 m) · Hood River County, OR26 miNW- Sahalie FallsResearched route and starting areaHood River County, OR27 miW
- Switchback FallsHood River County, OR28 miW
- Umbrella FallsShort route and trailhead parking verified59 ft (18 m) · Hood River County, OR28 miW
- Lower Heather Canyon FallsHood River County, OR28 miW