vista house · latourell · bridal veil · wahkeena · multnomah
welcome to the gorgeThe 30-mile stretch of the Historic Columbia River Highway from Crown Point to Cascade Locks, with the highest concentration of waterfalls in North America. Vista House perched 733 ft above the river, Multnomah Falls at 620 ft, the historic 1916 highway that started it all. The most-photographed road in the PNW.
Best for
Waterfalls, scenic drives, day trips, photos
From Portland
30 min east · I-84 or Historic Hwy 30
Stay at least
Half day · or 1-2 nights for full slow version
Best time
Apr-Jun peak flow · year-round drivable
getting your bearings
The Columbia Gorge west side is the 30-mile stretch from Crown Point (Vista House) east to Cascade Locks, all on the Oregon side of the river. This is where the waterfalls are. Almost every famous Gorge photo you've seen came from this stretch.
There are two roads through it. I-84 runs along the river at the bottom of the canyon, fast and direct, gets you to Multnomah Falls in 30 minutes from Portland. The Historic Columbia River Highway (US-30) winds along the cliffs above, slower, with stops at every waterfall and Vista House. The scenic highway is the point, take it eastbound in the morning, return on I-84 when you're tired.
Built in 1913-1922, this was the first planned scenic highway in the United States, designed by Samuel Lancaster as a European-style "King of Roads." The stonework, the tunnels, the engineering of this road all still hold up a hundred years later. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places for good reason. The west segment (Crown Point to Multnomah) is the scenic-stops section. Plan to drive it slowly.
1. Vista House at Crown Point. 1916 octagonal observation building 733 ft above the river. Free to enter (open 9 AM to 5 PM, Friday through Tuesday), with a gift shop, museum, and 180-degree views of the Gorge. The photo stop everyone takes.
2. Latourell Falls. 249 ft falls plunging over a wall of columnar basalt. Quarter-mile easy walk to the lower viewing area. The basalt cliff backdrop makes every photo look like a postcard. One of the prettiest waterfalls on the loop.
3. Bridal Veil Falls. Two-tiered falls visible from a short half-mile loop trail. One of the most family-friendly stops, paved trail, picnic tables, easy stroller pushing. The viewing platform is built directly into the cliff.
4. Wahkeena Falls. 242 ft falls right next to Multnomah but almost always less crowded. The quiet alternative. Loop trail connects Wahkeena to Multnomah (5 mi), one of the best short hikes in Oregon.
5. Multnomah Falls. The headline. 620 ft, the tallest waterfall in Oregon, falling in two drops with the iconic 1914 Benson Bridge crossing between them at the 105-ft mark. Multnomah Falls Lodge (1925) at the base, with a restaurant and gift shop. This is the most-visited natural attraction in Oregon, 2 million visitors a year.
6. Horsetail Falls. 176 ft, falls right next to the highway, easy roadside stop. The "we have 10 minutes" stop, no real trail required to see it.
This is essential to know. Multnomah Falls requires a timed-entry permit from May 22 through September 7, 2026, for the main parking lot at exit 31, daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. Reservations release in two waves at 7 AM Pacific: a 14-day primary window and a 2-day secondary window for any remaining slots. $2 per vehicle at recreation.gov. Without a permit during the window, you cannot park at Multnomah Falls. Visitors who arrive by bus or shuttle don't need a permit, and the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale hands out 25 free walk-in permits each morning, first come.
Outside the May 22 to September 7 window, no permit is required. September 8 through May 21 is the unrestricted window. Plan accordingly. The first morning windows and late afternoon (4-6 PM) book up slowest.
Good news first: Eagle Creek Trail and Wahclella Falls both reopened May 1, 2026, after the December 2025 storm damage was cleared. Two closures still stand. The Historic Highway State Trail is impassable between Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks with no reopen date, and Oneonta Gorge is closed to wading, likely into 2027. Check the U.S. Forest Service website before you plan around any of these.
getting there & getting around
30 minutes east on I-84 to Multnomah Falls at exit 31. About 30 miles. Take the Historic Highway eastbound by exiting at Troutdale (exit 17) for the slow scenic version with all the waterfall stops. The full scenic drive Crown Point to Multnomah is about 22 miles, allow 1 hour without stops, 3-4 hours with all stops.
45 minutes west on I-84. About 45 miles. You can do the Gorge west day-trip from Hood River, drive west in the morning, return for dinner. Easier parking from this direction at most waterfalls.
Crown Point now takes a $10 Oregon State Parks day-use permit ($12 out-of-state), new as of October 2025, and one permit covers every fee park that day. Limited spaces, fills by 11 AM on weekends in summer. Vista House itself closes when winds hit 50 mph, check vistahouse.com before you drive up.
As of March 30, 2026, Latourell, Bridal Veil, and Angel's Rest charge an Oregon State Parks day-use parking fee ($10 in-state, $12 out-of-state). Wahkeena and Horsetail remain free, and one daily permit covers all the fee parks including Crown Point. All lots are small and fill by 10 AM on weekends, much earlier at Wahkeena since it shares pressure with Multnomah. The Historic Highway is single-lane in places, can back up with weekend traffic. Tuesday-Thursday mornings are the sweet spot.
Main lot at I-84 exit 31 requires a $2 timed-entry permit during the May 22 to September 7 window, book 14 days ahead at recreation.gov. Without a permit during this window, you cannot park. The small Historic Highway lot at the falls is a paid first-come lot run by Sasquatch Shuttle, no reservation needed. Outside the window: free parking but fills early on weekends.
The CAT Columbia Gorge Express runs daily from Gateway Transit Center to Multnomah Falls, $10 each way, no timed-entry permit needed. The Sasquatch Shuttle is the cheaper hack: $5 per person from the Troutdale outlets at exit 17, hourly 9 AM to 4 PM through permit season, kids under 5 free. Either one skips the parking problem entirely.
The two-year viaduct restoration east of Multnomah Falls finished early, and the Historic Highway reopened in May 2026. The full waterfall corridor from Crown Point to Ainsworth is drivable again for the first summer since 2024. No more construction detours on the scenic route.
Lodge restrooms are closed for renovation through November 2026. Portable toilets are set up on site, but if you have toddlers or someone who can't wait, plan a stop on the way. The Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and Cascade Locks Marine Park both have real bathrooms.
The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is impassable between Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks from December 2025 storm damage. Boulders, downed trees, and about 12 feet of slide material are sitting on the path. Crews are working on it but there's no reopen date. If you wanted to ride or walk that section, don't plan it for this year.
The Historic Columbia River Highway is narrow and winding with tight pullouts, a bad time in anything big. Stay on I-84 with an RV or trailer. Vans and small Class B RVs are fine on the scenic highway. RV parking is tight at every waterfall, head straight to Multnomah Falls main lot which can fit larger vehicles, or use the Express bus instead.
the must-sees
The 1916 observation building 733 ft above the Columbia River. Free to enter, with a small museum, gift shop, and 180-degree views east up the Gorge. The settler memorial on the National Register of Historic Places. Best photos are from outside on the walking path, with the basalt cliff dropping straight down to the river. 15-30 minutes is plenty. Open 9 AM to 5 PM Friday through Tuesday, closes in high winds. Parking takes the $10 state parks day-use permit.
249-ft falls plunging over columnar basalt. Quarter-mile easy walk from the parking lot to the lower viewing platform, mostly flat, stroller-doable. The basalt cliff makes every photo look intentional. The Upper Latourell loop adds 2.4 mi if you want a real hike. Open year-round, $10 state parks day-use permit (the same one covers Bridal Veil and Crown Point). Plan 30-45 minutes.
Two-tiered falls with a short half-mile loop trail. Paved viewing platform built into the cliff. Family-friendly, stroller-doable, picnic tables at the trailhead. Covered by the same $10 day-use permit. Plan 30 minutes. The Bridal Veil State Scenic Viewpoint also has a separate wildflower meadow walk that's prettiest in May.
242 ft falls right next to Multnomah but almost always less crowded. Short 0.4-mile climb to the viewing bridge at the base. The quiet alternative to Multnomah. The full Wahkeena-Multnomah Loop (5 mi, 1,600 ft gain) connects to Multnomah at the top and is one of the best short hikes in Oregon. Free, no permit needed, and the lot sits outside the timed-entry system. When Multnomah permits are gone, park here and walk the flat half-mile connector trail over.
The headline. 620 ft, the most-visited natural attraction in Oregon. The lower viewing area is right at the parking lot, 100 ft from the highway. The classic walk goes 0.2 mi up to Benson Bridge, the 1914 stone bridge that crosses between the two falls drops. From there you can either turn back or continue 1 mi up to the top of the falls.
Multnomah Falls Lodge at the base (built 1925) has a restaurant, gift shop, and visitor center. The cafe-style lower level is family-friendly, the upstairs dining room is fancier with full meals and reservations. Reservations recommended on weekends and any summer day.
Heads up on the restrooms. The public restrooms inside the lodge are closed for renovation through November 2026. Portable toilets are on-site but limited. Plan a bathroom stop in Troutdale or Cascade Locks before you arrive, especially with kids.
The full top-of-the-falls hike is 2.2 miles round trip with 700 ft elevation gain. The view from the top platform looks straight down 620 ft, with views east up the Gorge. Allow 1.5 hours up and down.
176 ft falls right next to the highway, no walk required. The "we have 10 minutes" stop. A short trail leads behind Ponytail Falls (a separate falls slightly upstream) for a real walk-behind-a-waterfall experience. The full Ponytail Falls hike is 1.0 mi round trip, 200 ft gain.
The 22-mile drive itself is the attraction from Troutdale east through Crown Point and on to Multnomah. Stone walls, mossy tunnels, hairpin curves, the Larch Mountain viewpoint. Slow down, pull over often. The road was designed for cars going 25 mph, with built-in viewpoints at every bend.
kids pick
The headline day for first-time families. Start at Vista House at Crown Point for the panoramic Gorge view and a quick walk around the observation building. Drop down the Historic Highway to Latourell Falls for an easy quarter-mile walk to the basalt-backed plunge. Continue east to Multnomah Falls and walk to Benson Bridge for the iconic photo (the bridge between the two falls drops). Lunch at Multnomah Falls Lodge cafe downstairs. The 4-hour Gorge day every family with kids should do at least once.
smaller spots most guides miss
Multnomah gets the headlines. The Gorge has whole pockets of beauty that even repeat visitors miss.
1.0 mi round trip from the Horsetail Falls trailhead. The trail goes literally behind the waterfall, walking through a rock alcove with the falls cascading in front of you. The walk-behind experience without the Silver Falls drive. Free, family-friendly.
30 minutes east of Multnomah on the Historic Highway. Peak balsamroot and lupine bloom in late April through early May, the hillside turns yellow and purple. The wildflower stop most Portland tourists never reach. Free pull-off, panoramic views east toward The Dalles.
15 minutes east of Multnomah at I-84 exit 40. Free fish hatchery with underwater viewing windows, plus Herman, the 10-foot, 500-pound sturgeon with his own viewing center. The unexpected kid magnet, takes 45 min, free admission. Open 7:30 AM to dusk daily.
14 mi up Larch Mountain Road from the Historic Highway. Sherrard Point at 4,055 ft, with views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount St Helens, and Mount Rainier on clear days. The five-volcano viewpoint. Free, paved road to the parking area, short 0.2-mi walk to the viewpoint. The road gates for snow each winter, usually open June into October.
20 min east of Multnomah at I-84 exit 44. Small Columbia River town, home of the Bridge of the Gods (the steel cantilever bridge over the river) and the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler riverboat. The "we drove east" lunch stop, with a great waterfront park and ice cream.
40 minutes east of Multnomah, near Mosier. The historic 1921 highway tunnels, now bike-and-pedestrian only, with views of the eastern Gorge dry side. Free, family-friendly, 4.6 mi round trip. Closed to cars but open to walkers and cyclists.
Just west of Vista House on the Historic Highway. The classic Vista House and Crown Point photo is taken from this pullout looking east. The Instagram angle every Gorge photographer uses, especially at sunrise. Free pull-off.
5 min east of Multnomah. A narrow basalt slot canyon with a falls at the back. The famous wade-in hike is closed, likely into 2027, while the Forest Service works out a new access plan. Still worth the 5-minute stop just to see the slot canyon entrance from the road.
trails worth doing
All distances are round trip. The west Gorge has dozens of waterfall hikes, from quarter-mile flat walks to steep climbs up the canyon walls. Most trailheads have small parking lots, arrive early on weekends.
Latourell Falls lower view
Paved · stroller-friendly · 30 min
Bridal Veil Falls loop
Paved · stroller-friendly · picnic tables
Multnomah Falls to Benson Bridge
Paved climb · iconic bridge photo · 30 min
Wahkeena Falls base
Paved short climb to viewing bridge
Ponytail Falls walk-behind
From Horsetail trailhead · behind the falls
Upper Latourell loop
Includes upper falls · forest loop
Multnomah Falls to top
700 ft gain · panoramic view down · 1.5 hrs
Triple Falls (Oneonta Trail)
Three-falls viewpoint · 700 ft gain
Wahkeena-Multnomah Loop
Connects both falls at the top · 1,600 ft gain
Angel's Rest
Cliff-top viewpoint · 1,500 ft gain
Larch Mountain from Multnomah
Big day · 4,000 ft gain · five-volcano view
heads up · 2026
Eagle Creek Trail and Wahclella Falls both reopened May 1, 2026, after the December 2025 storm damage was cleared, so Punchbowl Falls is back on the table. Still closed: the Historic Highway State Trail between Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks, no reopen date, and Oneonta Gorge wading, likely into 2027. Check the U.S. Forest Service website before you build a day around any of these.
when you want low-key
The waterfall day is full-throttle. These are the lower-energy options when the kids are tired or the weather is moody.
I-84 exit 40, 15 min east of Multnomah. The free fish hatchery with underwater viewing windows, the giant sturgeon Herman, and the dam visitor center. The "we need a break from waterfalls" stop, family-friendly, indoor option for rainy days.
I-84 exit 44, 20 min east of Multnomah. Walk the riverfront park, watch the Sternwheeler dock, look at the Bridge of the Gods. Lunch at Thunder Island Brewing or grab ice cream at Eastwind. The lazy lunch stop, free, takes 2-3 hours.
5 min east of Multnomah. The narrow basalt slot canyon visible right from the highway. The "we'll just look" stop, no walking required, takes 15 minutes. The wade-in route is closed, likely into 2027.
At the base of Multnomah Falls. The 1925 lodge cafe downstairs is family-friendly with sandwiches and salads. The upstairs dining room is fancier, reservations needed on weekends. The rainy-day lunch with the waterfall view, takes 90 minutes.
40 minutes east, near Mosier. The historic highway tunnels are now bike-and-walking only. Easy 4.6 mi round trip flat path, rent bikes in Hood River. The dry east side looks nothing like the waterfall side.
Cascade Locks, summer sightseeing, brunch, and dinner cruises. The PNW riverboat experience, family-friendly, about $50/adult for the 2-hour sightseeing cruise, dining cruises run $65-100. The boat passes Bonneville Dam and Eagle Creek on the way.
where to eat
The west Gorge is mostly day-trip country, with the food clustered at Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, and Troutdale. For real dinners, head to Portland west or Hood River east.
Black Rabbit Restaurant at McMenamins Edgefield. Troutdale, right at the entrance to the scenic highway. Full breakfast daily starting at 7 AM inside the 1911 poor farm turned resort, and the gardens are worth a wander on the way out. The breakfast that sets up the waterfall day. About $15-25/person.
Heading in early? Grab breakfast before Troutdale or book the Multnomah Falls Lodge dining room. The waterfall corridor itself has no breakfast.
Multnomah Falls Lodge (downstairs cafe). At the base of Multnomah Falls. Family-friendly sandwiches, soups, salads, plus the indoor view of the falls through the lodge windows. About $15-25/person. The convenient lunch stop in the middle of the waterfall day.
Multnomah Falls Lodge (upstairs dining room). The fancier sit-down option. Reservations recommended on weekends and all summer days. American menu, with views of the falls. About $30-50/person.
Sugarpine Drive-In. Troutdale, by the Sandy River. Burgers, grilled cheese, and pulled pork from a walk-up window, with the soft serve everyone lines up for. The reward-on-the-way-home stop. About $10-18/person.
Thunder Island Brewing. Cascade Locks waterfront. Family-friendly brewery with a riverside patio and a real food menu, plus craft beer. The eastern Gorge lunch stop. About $15-25/person.
Bridgeside Restaurant. Cascade Locks. Riverside cafe with the Bridge of the Gods view, sandwiches and salads. The casual Cascade Locks lunch. About $12-20/person.
Multnomah Falls Lodge (upstairs). The dinner anchor. The 1925 historic lodge dining room, with white tablecloths and a real menu, Pacific Northwest cuisine. The romantic Gorge dinner, reservations essential. About $40-70/person.
Eastwind Drive-In. Cascade Locks. Old-school burger and ice cream stand, the casual family dinner option in the eastern Gorge. The classic Bridge of the Gods burger stop. About $10-15/person.
For real dinner, head to Portland west or Hood River east. The west Gorge itself shuts down by 7 PM most nights, with few real dinner options between Troutdale and Cascade Locks.
Sugarpine Drive-In. Troutdale. Famous for the made-from-scratch soft serve sundaes, worth every minute of the line. The post-waterfall ice cream stop.
Eastwind Drive-In ice cream. Cascade Locks. Classic walk-up ice cream window, the eastern Gorge equivalent of Sugarpine.
where to spread the blanket
Bridal Veil Falls picnic area. Picnic tables right at the trailhead, with restrooms. Family-friendly with kids running off the trail to the meadow. Same $10 day-use permit as Latourell, easy parking.
Crown Point lawn at Vista House. The grassy area surrounding Vista House. Picnic tables, the 180-degree Gorge view, and the breeze. Covered by the $10 day-use permit, restrooms inside Vista House. The view-picnic of the Gorge.
Multnomah Falls Lodge upper terrace. Outdoor seating area between the lodge and the falls. Buy lunch from the cafe, eat with the falls right there. Free seating, restrooms inside.
Bonneville Dam picnic area. Adjacent to the fish hatchery, with tables, restrooms, shade trees. The "kids saw fish, now we eat" combo. Free, easy parking.
Cascade Locks Marine Park. Waterfront park with the Bridge of the Gods view. Multiple tables, restrooms, a real lawn. The most-recommended Gorge picnic spot. Free, easy parking.
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site. Troutdale, at the entrance to the Historic Highway. Tables along the Sandy River, restrooms, same $10 day-use permit as Crown Point. The "we just arrived" first stop.
amy's check
For traveling families: what's nearby and what's not. The Gorge itself has nothing, but everything sits at the Troutdale end, 10 to 25 minutes from the falls.
Costco
Portland, Airport Way at NE 138th · 15 min west of Troutdale
Target
Fairview, on NE Halsey · 10 min from the Troutdale entrance
Trader Joe's
Gresham · 20 min southwest · the closest one to the Gorge
Chick-fil-A
Wood Village · 10 min from the Troutdale entrance
groceries, gas & van basics
The west Gorge has almost no services between Troutdale and Cascade Locks. Stock up before you arrive. Troutdale on the west end and Cascade Locks on the east end are your only real options.
In Troutdale (west entrance), Safeway on SE Stark Street is the one full grocery store in town. The stock-up stop before the Gorge.
In Cascade Locks (east end), Columbia Market for basics, plus the Bridge Mart for gas-station-level groceries. Limited selection, prices higher than Troutdale.
For full grocery runs: 15-25 minutes west (Costco on Airport Way, Target and Walmart at Wood Village, Fred Meyer in Gresham) or 1 hr east to Hood River (Safeway, Rosauers).
Troutdale has multiple gas stations on Halsey Street, lowest prices in the area. Cascade Locks has a single gas station (Bridge Mart), prices 30-50 cents higher than Troutdale. Fill up before entering the Gorge if possible. The longest gas-free stretch is from Troutdale to Cascade Locks on the Historic Highway (no gas stations).
Restrooms at every major waterfall (Multnomah, Wahkeena, Bridal Veil, Latourell), plus Vista House, Bonneville Dam, and Cascade Locks. At Multnomah it means portable toilets until the lodge renovation wraps in November 2026. Drinking fountains at Multnomah Falls Lodge and Vista House. No drinking water at smaller waterfall trailheads, bring your own.
RV dump stations at Cascade Locks Marine Park (free for park guests), plus Ainsworth State Park off the Historic Highway. No dump stations along the scenic highway itself. Public trash bins at every major waterfall stop.
Treat the Gorge as a day trip, not a stay. Base in Portland for the west Gorge waterfalls, Hood River for the eastern Gorge and Fruit Loop. The Gorge itself has limited lodging, and what exists is expensive for what you get. Drive in early, drive out by dinner.
For families: The Columbia Gorge Express bus from Portland is the smart way to skip parking entirely. $10 each way, drops at Multnomah Falls, no timed-entry permit needed. Especially helpful during the May 22 to September 7 timed-entry window. Park at Gateway Transit Center in Portland.
lodges, hotels & van
Most travelers don't stay in the west Gorge itself, they base in Portland (30 min west) or Hood River (1 hr east). A few options exist along the river. Summer weekends book up 2-3 months ahead for the limited Gorge-side hotels.
Budget · $100-$160/night
The "we just need a bed near the Gorge" tier
In Troutdale (west entrance), McMenamins Edgefield ($100-$180/night) is the historic 1911 poor farm turned into a quirky hotel with restaurants, breweries, a movie theater, and a soaking pool on-site. The most-recommended Troutdale stay. About $100 for the European-style shared-bath rooms, $180+ for private bath.
In Cascade Locks (east end), Bridge of the Gods Motel ($90-$140/night) for the classic budget motel option.
Mid-range · $160-$280/night
Real beds, real amenities
Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn in Cascade Locks. Riverfront rooms with the Bridge of the Gods view, indoor pool, free breakfast. About $160-$240/night, family-friendly.
Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA (across the river from Cascade Locks). The big PNW lodge experience with a golf course, spa, real dining room, and forested views. About $200-$350/night. The "we want a real lodge stay" option.
Splurge · $280-$500/night
When you want the full Gorge experience
Skamania Lodge premium rooms. The view rooms looking out over the Gorge run $300-$500/night. The romantic Gorge weekend stay.
And no, you can't sleep at Multnomah Falls Lodge. The lodge is day-use only, no overnight rooms, no matter what an old blog post promised. Skamania across the river is the closest real lodge stay.
Vrbo and Airbnb have lots of options in Corbett, Troutdale, and Cascade Locks. River cabins and forest cabins throughout the Gorge area, family-friendly options for 6-8 run $250-$500/night. Book 2-3 months ahead for summer weekends. The "river view" properties get booked 6+ months out for prime weeks.
Van life · campgrounds
Multiple state and forest service options
Ainsworth State Park. Right on the Historic Highway between Multnomah and Bonneville Dam. 45 sites, full hookups, $25-$35/night. The closest campground to Multnomah Falls, books out months ahead for summer weekends. Reservable at oregonstateparks.org.
Eagle Creek Forest Campground at I-84 exit 41. The oldest Forest Service campground in America (1915), 19 sites along Eagle Creek. About $25/night. First-come first-served, arrive by Friday morning for weekend sites. Bonus: Eagle Creek Trail reopened May 1, 2026, a short walk from your site.
Cascade Locks Marine Park Campground. Right on the river with hookups, $25-$45/night. The Cascade Locks RV park anchor. Reservable.
Memaloose State Park 20 miles east of Cascade Locks. The eastern Gorge state park, 110 sites, full hookups, $25-$35/night. Drier and warmer than the west Gorge, good shoulder-season option.
Where you can't sleep: No overnight at waterfall trailheads, Vista House parking, or Multnomah Falls Lodge parking. Strictly enforced.
Skamania Lodge: 4-6 months ahead for prime summer weekends (mid-June to mid-September) or holiday weekends. The most-booked Gorge lodge.
McMenamins Edgefield: 2-3 months ahead for summer weekends.
Ainsworth State Park campground: 6 months ahead via oregonstateparks.org for summer weekends. Reservations open exactly 6 months out at 6 AM, the popular weekends book within minutes.
Eagle Creek Forest Campground: First-come-first-served, arrive Friday morning for weekend sites in summer.
Multnomah Falls timed entry permit: 14 days ahead at recreation.gov, with a second release 2 days out at 7 AM. First morning windows and late afternoon (4-6 PM) are most available.
Vacation rentals: 2-4 months ahead for summer (especially July-August), 1-2 months ahead for fall and spring weekends.
Shoulder season (April-May, September-October): 2-3 weeks ahead usually fine for lodging. April-May is the wildflower-and-waterfall peak season, busier than expected.