The concrete arch bridge spanning the canyon was completed in 1914 as part of the original Historic Columbia River Highway.
The falls are often categorized as a double-tiered plunge waterfall, though local flow conditions frequently obscure the upper tier.
The basalt rock formations surrounding the falls were sculpted by the Missoula Floods, which occurred between 15,000 and 13,000 years ago.
The property is named after George Shepperd, a pioneer who homesteaded the area in the late 19th century.
The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in early 20th-century engineering.
Shepperd's Dell Falls is a tiered waterfall located within the Columbia River Gorge that drops into a narrow basalt canyon. The waterfall is formed by Young Creek, which cascades down two main levels with a combined height of approximately 90 feet. The site is characterized by the historic stone arch bridge, designed by Kirtland Cutter, which spans the gorge directly above the falls. Access is provided via a short trail that descends from the parking area to the canyon bottom. The canyon walls are composed of ancient volcanic rock draped in moss and ferns typical of the Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest. It is part of the larger state park system managed under the Historic Columbia River Highway state trail corridor.
The north side of the historic stone arch bridge provides the classic angle of the waterfall framed by the bridge architecture.
Wear waterproof, high-traction hiking boots as the trail steps and bridge approach are frequently slick with spray.
Use trekking poles if you have stability concerns, as the path from the road down to the viewing area is steep.
Bring a polarizing filter for your camera to reduce glare from the wet basalt and spray.
Attempting to climb down to the creek bed below the bridge, which is hazardous and damages the delicate riparian vegetation.
Open year-round, but access may be limited during heavy winter snow or extreme wind events that close the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Stay behind the wooden guardrails, as the canyon drop-offs are steep and the rock edges are unstable.
