Columbia River Gorge
How to pass the time?
Vista House
The highway opened in 1916 and was the first major paved road in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the first designated scenic highway in the United States. This Highway includes The Vista House, and Waterfall Corridor where you’ll find Multnomah Falls, HorseTail Falls, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Viewpoint, and Wahkeena Falls.
Hood River is known as the windsurfing capital of the world. Lessons are offered on site, or you can just watch.
Hood River
The Dalles Lock and Dam is one of the ten largest hydropower dams in the United States. Since its completion in 1957, it has provided the Pacific Northwest with a reliable water source for hydropower, navigation, recreation, fish passage, irrigation, and flood mitigation.The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, between May 1 and Memorial Day weekend. After Memorial Day, the center begins daily operations, seven days a week through Labor Day weekend. Labor Day through the end of September, weekend only operations resume. There are no fees for the Visitor Center.
Four different kinds of cruise experience is offered. Enjoy a 2-hour cruise on an authentic sternwheeler where you can view the spectacular scenery offered along the Cascade Locks.
Little Zig-Zag Falls
Bonneville Dam features a visitor center facility with free admission where visitors may watch salmon climb fish ladders, learn about hydropower generation, hike a trail and during the summer, watch vessels pass through the navigation lock. Bonneville Hatchery is Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s largest hatchery facility and has a diverse fish production program. Display ponds offer a relaxing place to feed large rainbow trout and view adult white sturgeon measuring more than 10 feet long. There is a gift shop open all year.
Don't always rely on a GPS! Some of the areas listed have little to no
reception, so make sure you bring hand written, or a printed out map.
Some areas of the Columbia River Gorge were impacted by the
Eagle Creek fire of 2017. When planning your travel, please note
that some trails may be closed off.