No trail in the Columbia Gorge draws more hikers than Eagle Creek Trail #440. From Eagle Creek Campground, off I-84 at exit 41, it works upstream through forest and along ledges cut into basalt cliffs, with sheer drops and no guardrails. At 2 miles, Punch Bowl Falls plunges 100 feet to a blue-green pool in a rock grotto.
High Bridge spans the canyon 150 feet over the creek. Past the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness boundary comes Tunnel Falls, where the path runs through a tunnel behind the water. The upper end climbs to the Pacific Crest Trail near Wahtum Lake, also reached from the Wahtum Lake Trailhead & Day Use. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire hit this area hard.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Hood River
Connects to: Chinidere Cutoff Trail #406M, Eagle Benson Trail #434, Eagle Tanner Trail #433
More about the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and its trails →
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Getting there
From Portland, OR
- Take I-84 eastbound to Eagle Creek exit # 41 and follow signs to the Eagle Creek Campground.
From Hood River, OR
- Take I-84 westbound to Bonneville Dam exit # 40.
- Drive under the freeway and join eastbound traffic.
- After 1 mile take Eagle Creek exit # 41 and follow directions above.
- Go to Wahtum Lake Trailhead to access the south end of this trail.
From the Forest Service
Good to know
In 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire caused extensive damage to this area. The Eagle Creek Trail #440 connects to several other remote, multi-day loop backpacking opportunities in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness on the Hood River Ranger District. It is also a popular alternative route to the Pacific Crest Trail. However, recovery efforts from the Eagle Creek wildfire are still underway on some of these multi-day loop trail opportunities.
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply. Special Wilderness restrictions apply in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness.
Aircraft/UAS/drone takeoffs and landings are prohibited at this site.
Jumping or diving off of Punchbowl Falls is prohibited.
Campfire prohibited June 1 - Sept 15. Fires not allowed within 100 feet of the trail during other times of the year.
All dogs must be on leash. Each year several unleashed dogs fall off of or chase other dogs off of the steep cliffs.
Motor vehicles and bikes are prohibited.
All fees
$5 per vehicle per day from Eagle Creek Trailhead
$10 per vehicle per day from Wahtum Lake Trailhead
Passes and permits
A valid Recreation Pass is required at Eagle Creek Trailhead.
If you're accessing this hike from Wahtum Lake Trailhead, only the Annual Northwest Forest Pass is accepted.
Trails nearby
Chinidere Cutoff Trail #406M
1.4 mi
575 ft
Easy
Eagle Benson Trail #434
5.4 mi
3,390 ft
Hard
Eagle Tanner Trail #433
9 mi
2,550 ft
Very hard
Anthill Trail #406B
3.8 mi
840 ft
Moderate
Rainy Wahtum Trail #409
10 mi
1,442 ft
Hard
Chinidere Mountain Trail #445
0.6 mi
389 ft
Easy
Herman Creek Trail #406
16 mi
4,520 ft
Very hard
Dublin Lake Trail #401B
0.4 mi
256 ft
Easy
Tanner Butte Trail #401
11 mi
1,949 ft
Very hard
Tanner Cutoff Trail #448
4.2 mi
2,510 ft
Hard
Tanner Springs Trail #401E
0.4 mi
103 ft
Easy
Benson Spur Trail #405C
1 mi
47 ft
Easy
