From short waterfront forays to steep ascents, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers breathtaking views, many of which are perfect for short day hikes. The trails listed here represent the shortest exursions in the Gorge. For longer trails and extended trips, please explore our list of Backpacking trails.
We hope you enjoy our spectacular scenery, as it is one of the unique resources that we work hard to protect! You can also help us protect natural resources by staying on the trail. Cutting shortcuts (or switchbacks) can damage plants and lead to erosion.
From short waterfront forays to steep ascents, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers breathtaking views, many of which are perfect for short day hikes. The trails listed here represent the shortest exursions in the Gorge. For longer trails and extended trips, please explore our list of Backpacking trails.
We hope you enjoy our spectacular scenery, as it is one of the unique resources that we work hard to protect! You can also help us protect natural resources by staying on the trail. Cutting shortcuts (or switchbacks) can damage plants and lead to erosion.
One of the premier areas for early spring wildflower viewing in the eastern Columbia River Gorge, Catherine Creek Recreation Area is popular each spring before it dries up by mid summer. The trailhead and parking north of Old Highway 8 are the access point to a network of multi-use biker/hiker/equestrian trails. The site was once a ranch before being acquired by the Forest Service to protect native plants, the unique arch formation, and other sensitive resources after the creation of the National Scenic Area.
Bear right to start the Catherine Creek Loop Trail, which is gradually being improved by the Forest Service and the Washington Trails Association. Take a slight left to follow Old Atwood Road, a route popular with mountain bikers.
The harder-to-follow Bitterroot Trail #4422 also leads west, eventually connecting to the Coyote Wall Area. This route began as a user-created trail, and has never been officially "built" by the Forest Service, so it is easy to get lost.
The agency agreed to maintain some of the trails created by users after a 2012 planning effort. Each year more trail improvements are implemented, and in 2019 a new bridge was constructed over Catherine Creek. Other area trails are being decommissioned to protect native plants, so do your best to stay on marked trails and avoid areas and respect signs that mark areas under restoration. A new kiosk is being designed in 2019. Once installed, this will make navigation and trail rules much clearer.
A massive formation of columnar basalt, Coyote Wall is one of the Columbia River Gorge's most recognizable features from all directions. Known around the Gorge as "The Syncline", local amateur geologists enjoy debating its proper geological classification over a craft brew.
From Coyote Wall Trailhead, bikers, hikers, and riders can access a 30+ mile network trails with an open feel and breath-taking views. Trails include:
Mountain bikers love the range of mountain biking challenges which reward those who climb the trails with amazing panoramas of the Gorge! Naturalists can appreciate the diverse population of rare and sensitive plants found here. The thin, fragile soils were created by Missoula floods, and the habitat remains important for wildlife species.
Please avoid the area directly below Coyote Wall to the west, as it is private land. Trails in the area have been gradually rehabilitated in recent years according to a long-term site management plan, so user-created trails that once damaged natural resources are being decomissioned. New signs make it easy to stay on official trails, but use maps with caution as most are now out of date. (This planning map shows temporary names used during the planning process to label approved trails.) Today's signs do not match the shorthand codes, but they do make it easy to stay on official trails. Please respect signs indicating decommissioned trails and sensitive areas under restoration.
The area is most popular for its spring-blooming yellow balsamroot meadows, which occur at its upper meadows. Look for other wildflowers, such as white phantom orchids, Indian paintbrush and purple lupine, that add color to the mix. On Saturdays and Sundays (and on Memorial Day) during the peak spring wildflower season, each hiker on the Dog Mountain Trail System must carry a permit.
While Dog Mountain Trail tends to be the more popular route up, it is one of the most strenuous hikes in the Gorge due to its steep upward climb. It passes through an even-aged stand of old growth conifers, with an understory carpet of Oregon grape.
Those who choose to loop around via Augspurger Trail will not be disappointed by glimpses of the Columbia River meandering around Wind Mountain towards the western Gorge. Be prepared for potentially dramatic weather changes as you approach the summit.
The Dog Mountain fee site includes a gravel parking area, picnic table and vault toilet at the trailhead. Parking is prohibited along roadway, and violators may be cited & towed. Park safely in the parking area and allow room for emergency vehicle and transit access. Consider treating yourself to this hike on a weekday, as the lot is crowded and full before 10 a.m. on weekends in May and June.
Spend a night outdoors in the Forest Service's first developed campground, which originally opened in 1916 at the dawn of America's love affair with car camping! Located in the central Columbia River Gorge, the campground is great for a weekend of hiking, boating, fishing, and other adventures in one of the most scenic places in the Pacific Northwest. Campsites are situated between large trees atop a bluff above Eagle Creek and the Columbia River. Interstate 84 and a railroad run nearby, so the campground may be too noisy for some (especially sites 7-14).
Out of the 17 campsites, 14 must be reserved at www.recreation.gov and three are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve early -- up to six months in advance -- to ensure a spot at this popular campground, which books up early between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Reservations are strongly encouraged, as the three walk-up sites fill quickly on summer weekends.
Each site has a paved parking spot, and most are fully accessible. A full-time host is on site. The site is best for tent camping, as there are no RV hookups and a 20 foot trailer limit due to small spaces and tight curves on the road leading up to the campground. A new vault toilet constructed in 2018 preserves the site's historic charm with its rugged Cascadian architecture.
In fall, the nearby picnic area is a good site to watch spawning salmon, and there are fishing opportunities nearby, but campers must possess a valid Oregon fishing license and follow state rules. The Gorge has many other adventures to offer, including water sports, agricultural tourism, museums, and day hikes.
This historic site is a great accessible spot for a picnic alongside the mouth of the stunning Eagle Creek slot canyon. Today's picnic area was once the site of the first developed campground in the U.S. Forest Service, with facilities that were later rebuilt during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps structures. On site remains the famous historic restroom (currently closed) nicknamed "Big John." The 1916 structure was the first flush toilet in the U.S. Forest Service.
Look for the historic Community Kitchen Pavilion perched on the hillside, which is wheelchair accessible. Stone ovens and an old trail register sit on the road to the trailhead. All the site's historic structures were saved by firefighters in 2017, when a massive wildfire known as Eagle Creek Fire started on nearby Eagle Creek Trail #440 (still closed for repairs).
A lovely suspension bridge which once allowed hikers to cross Eagle Creek for the Gorge Trail #400 and Wauna Viewpoint Trail #402 did not fare so well in the fire. Intense heat snapped a cable, causing the bridge to warp, so it was removed to prevent further damage to the downstream hatchery and other infrastructure. The Forest Service is working on plans to replace the bridge but there is no timeline yet for reopening.
Due to post-fire hazards on the landscapes, many other area trails including Ruckel Creek Trail #405 are still closed while crews clear and stabilize trails.
The roads have tight curves, so trailers longer than 20 feet trailer cannot fit into this recreation area.
The paved Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, great for road biking or a scenic run, runs to the town of Cascade Locks to the east and runs west to connect with the Historic Columbia River Highway Waterfall Corridor (where bikes must share the road with cars).
The state-run Cascade Hatchery is located onsite, offering self-guided tours. During the fall, visitors can view chinook and coho salmon spawning at Eagle Creek. Please protect spawning salmon by looking without touching. Do not throw rocks or poke salmon with sticks and stay out of the creek during spawning season.
This spectacular cliffside hike passes through a forested basalt cliff overlooking Eagle Creek. It affords spectacular views of the creek's slot canyon, where a cool, ethereal fog offers a reprieve on a hot summer day. Small waterfalls trickle along the sides of the cliff, and the trail passes many larger waterfalls, including the iconic Punch Bowl Falls, which is accessed from a side trail about 2 miles up the trail. About 3 miles up, hikers will encounter the aptly named High Bridge, which traverses a narrow gorge 150 feet above the creek. Many hikers choose to backpack as far as Tunnel Falls, about seven miles up the trail, where they can pass behind falling waters.
This is one of the most popular trails in the Columbia River Gorge and can be a crowded experience on summer weekends. Sheer cliffs have no hand rails on parts of this trail, so this hike is not recommended for children or those afraid of heights, despite its gentle overall grade. Don't be lured into thinking you can pull off a short hike with just your flip-flops. In 2017, more than 150 hikers had to be rescued from the Eagle Creek Fire by emergency personnel who assisted them up the remaining 12 miles and 3,000 foot elevation gain to the Wahtum Lake Trailhead. Many shivered through a hungry, exposed night outdoors and shared afterwards that they learned why it's so important to pack overnight essentials, even for a short day hike.
Normally, the trail connects to several other remote, multi-day loop backpacking opportunities in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness on the Hood River Ranger District in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It is also a popular alternative route to the Pacific Crest Trail. However, recovery efforts from the 2017 wildfire are still underway, so this network of trails remains closed. If you are hiking overnight, it is recommended that you park your car near the day use host site as it will be more secure there than at the trailhead. Around mile 5, you enter Wilderness where a free permit is required (available at the wilderness boundary).
The Gorge 400 Trail traverses a number of sites and other trails on the west end of the Gorge in Oregon, from Angel's Rest Trailhead on the Historic Columbia River Highway to Wyeth Trail (#411) near Gorton Creek. Parts of this trail "piggyback" on other system trails. Much of it is along Interstate 84 and can be quite noisy in places. For a breakdown of Gorge 400 waypoints and restrictions, see this chart.
Mountain bikes are allowed on the Gorge 400 Trail from John Yeon Trailhead east to Moody Road in Cascade Locks, OR, and from Wyeth Campground west to Herman Creek Trail #406. Bikes are prohibited between Angel's Rest trailhead and Ainsworth Campground and between Moody Road and Herman Creek trail #406
Constructed between 1913 and 1922, the original Columbia River Highway was designed to bring travelers to the most breathtaking sights and scenes in the Gorge. From the amazing loops at Rowena plateau to Multnomah Falls, its iconic and innovative design included rock walls, bridges earned it the nicknames "King of Roads" and "A Poem in Stone." It was a new type of motorway bringing automobile adventurers to the Gorge's "beauty spots", and many consider it to be America's first scenic highway.
Structures such as Vista House and Forest Service recreation sites Multnomah Falls and Eagle Creek were developed in conjunction with the highway to connect motorists to the Gorge's natural wonders. Parts of the original roadway were replaced by Interstate 84 in the 1960s, so in 1986 the National Scenic Area designation began a process to reconnect this inspiring pathway.
Thanks to interagency collaboration, the Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) State Trail winds through state, federal, and other lands. Travelers can discover waterfalls, vistas, and beautiful bridges as they explore the length of the Gorge, enjoying scenic rest stops along the way. Today, visitors can explore segments of the historic route by driving, biking, or heading out on foot.
This Rails-to-Trails conversion follows an old railroad grade through the spectacular Klickitat Canyon along the Klickitat River. The trail is a wide (12 feet in most places) pathway ideal for mountain bikes, horseback riding and family strolls. The lowermost 10.8 miles of the Klickitat River, from Wheeler Creek to the confluence with Columbia River, are designated as a Wild & Scenic River.
See bald eagles, water fowl, scenic pine/oak forests and an amazing display of spring wildflowers. The Swale Canyon portion of the trail is usually closed from June-October due to fire danger.
The trail begins at the Lyle Trailhead off Washington SR-14 near Lyle, WA and goes through Klickitat, WA. It continues another 18 miles to near Centerville, WA on State Parks jurisdiction.
Larch Mountain Picnic area is a wonderful day trip destination and a gateway to several long hikes via Larch Mountain Trail #441. From Larch Mountain Trailhead, hike downhill all the way to Multnomah Falls or hook up with other trails (Multnomah Creek Way or Oneonta Trail # 424) to make a loop.
Sherrard Point Trail #443 (0.2 miles) provides picnickers with a chance to get epic views on a clear day. Sherrard Point is not ADA accessible, but the picnic grounds (about 10 tables) and restrooms are accessible. No drinking water available.
Note: Larch Mountain Road is maintained by Multnomah County and is closed annually at milepost 10 from Nov. through late May or early June. Use caution when driving as the road is narrow in places with limited visibility and is very popular with road cyclists.
Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness covers 65,822 acres of basalt cliffs, waterfalls, and lush coniferous forests between Mt. Hood’s northern slope and the sheer cliffs south of the Columbia River. Not far from the only sea-level route through the Cascades, its northern boundary within the National Scenic Area is near a busy transportation corridor, while its southwest boundary is much more remote terrain in Mt. Hood National Forest. Travelers seeking solitude may pass through heavily visited areas within the Columbia River Gorge before the crowds thin, making it critical to practice leave no trace principles and observe the wilderness ethic and regulations.
First designated in 1984, Hatfield Wilderness was expanded in 2009 to include the Gorge Face (from Oneonta Creek west to Viento Creek) and Larch Mountain (Oneonta Creek canyon, Bell Creek, and Multnomah Creek). The main waterways through the area flow north toward the Columbia, through old growth western hemlock and Douglas fir. The wilderness trails that start in the National Scenic Area climb steep drainages to Benson Plateau before continuing on to mountain peaks (4,900-foot Mount Defiance), talus slopes, and high elevation lakes. Those uncomfortable with heights should be aware that these hikes pass steep cliffs and drop-offs. The rewards for trekkers include spectacular views, sparkling waterfalls, and serene old growth forests with mossy-green cliff faces.
Bull Run Watershed, located at the southwest boundary of the wilderness, provides drinking water to the Portland metropolitan area. It is closed to public entry except for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail which travels along the watershed’s eastern edge.
Access to Multnomah Lodge is currently limited to restrooms and the gift shop. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing while enjoying your visit. The visitor center is temporarily closed.
Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest with more than 2 million stopping by each year to take in the views! Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the flow over the falls varies, but is usually highest during winter and spring. This is also one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to study geology exposed by floods.
The Multnomah Falls Lodge, which is run by a concessionaire, is well maintained with bathrooms, a visitor center, snack bar, and a restaurant that is fully ADA accessible. The visitor information area within the lodge is jointly staffed by Friends of Multnomah Falls and the U.S. Forest Service. Offerings include a free simple trail map and free brochures about Multnomah Falls in multiple languages. Books, detailed maps of the Columbia River Gorge & Pacific Northwest, and Northwest Forest Passes are also available for purchase.
Inside the lower level of Multnomah Falls Lodge is a USDA Forest Service Information Center, a snack bar, and a gift shop.
Oneonta Trailhead is the gateway to popular day hikes as well as rigorous backpacking routes up Larch Mountain and into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. Parking at the trailhead is a simple pullout with about 8 spaces and a kiosk.
The journey starts with a steep ascent up Oneonta Trail to to start your adventure. One of the most popular routes from there is to continue down Oneonta Trail to Triple Falls, then return back to the junction with Horsetail Falls Trail (#438), where you will head east and downhill, creating a loop that passes by Middle Oneonta Falls and underneath Ponytail Falls (the nickname for Upper Horsetail Falls). This route ends at Horsetail Falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway, within a short jaunt of Oneonta Trailhead.
This trailhead also provides access to a journey along Gorge Trail #400, which runs parallel to much of the Historic Columbia River Highway.
NOTE: Oneonta Gorge (the creek flowing through a slot canyon to Lower Oneonta Falls) has its own sign and is located near Oneonta Tunnel. Although people enjoy taking the stairs down to the creek bed, please be aware this route is NOT an official trail and therefore we do not actively maintain it. We recommend stopping at the large log jam, which is naturally formed from fallen trees carried down by the river's force because it is slippery, unstable, and dangerous to cross. Please recognize your skill level and realize there are frequent injuries here. There has been one death on the log jam, so it is not family-friendly.
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, a 2750-mile epic route that traverses from Mexico to Canada, includes 26 miles that pass through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This scenic area section include Cascade Locks, Oregon, which is both the largest city and lowest elevation along the entire Pacific Crest Trail route. The Scenic Area's section is bounded by Gifford Pinchot National Forest to the north and Mt. Hood National Forest to the south. View a map of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Columbia River Gorge on the Pacific Crest Trail Association website.
To learn more about the features associated with the Pacific Crest Trail at Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area view the Oregon and Washington sections below:
Wahkeena Falls is day use area and trail situated at the base of beautiful Wahkeena Falls, just west of Multnomah Falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway. One of stops along the famed waterfall area on the Historic Highway, it connnects with a network of trails that make for great day hike loop opportunities, and world-class scenery. The 242-foot falls is a tiered type of waterfall, named after the Yakama word for "most beautiful". While not as tall as nearby Multnomah, it is no less lovely.
Wakheena Falls and several trailheads are located south of the highway, where an accessible overlook provides a prime view and photo opp for visitors. Nearby trailheads include Wahkeena Trail #420, Gorge #400 Trail, and a short Return Trail that can be used to hike to nearby Multnomah Falls.
Amenities at the picnic area (north of the highway) include a large picnic shelter with a stone fireplace, along with accessible picnic tables and fire rings.
Many people ask about reservations for weddings. This is a first-come, first-served area. If the group will be larger than 75 people, a special use permit is required.
From Gilmer Creek, near the town of B Z Corner, to Buck Creek, the Lower White Salmon is designated as Wild & Scenic. Along this stretch of the river, glacial headwaters are supplemented by seeps and springs along the canyon walls, sustaining a cold but consistent flow of water year round. The Lower White Salmon's rapids, waterfalls, and abrupt drops can challenge even the most advanced boaters.
Husum Falls is a class V waterfall requiring a lot of experience or a guide to pass, so plan your portages and take-outs accordingly.
You can check current river flows using the nearby U.S. Geological Survey streamgage at Underwood, but please note that the river level (stage) there is different from the river's stage as measured by the Husum gauge.
Wyeth Campground includes 13 individual sites and 3 group sites in a beautiful setting surrounded by Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple trees. Reserve early -- up to six months in advance -- to ensure a spot at this popular campground, which books up early between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Sites 1 and 2 are available on a first-come, first-served basis only; however, with the Gorge's busy pace all summer these spots also fill quickly. Its location in the central Columbia River Gorge makes it a a convenient basecamp for the Gorge's many outdoor adventures and historic sites. Like most Gorge campsites, it is near a railroad and interstate so campers should expect some background noise.
No hookups are available, but there is potable water onsite. Only small trailers and RVs, less than 30 feet overall in length fit, so the campsites are best suited for tent camping.
From the campsite, visitors can day hike the Gorge Trail #400 from the small Gorton Creek Trailhead to the southwest of the campground. A recently restored segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway that runs from Wyeth to Viento State Park passes through talus slopes, spectacular views, waterfalls, and mossy forests. Campers could also bike about three miles east along Wyeth Bench Road to grab a meal or explore local shops in Cascade Locks. Note that adventurous types could bike to water access at either Viento State Park (the day use area provides water access) or via Blackberry Beach in the Cascade Locks area.
The Wyeth area has an interesting history, as it was an early settlement site and was later used as a CCC camp in the 1930's and a Conscientious Objector camp in the 1940's. History buffs can learn more at nearby museums in Cascade Locks, Hood River, Stevenson or at Bonneville Dam.
