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.
This is one of the premier areas for early spring wildflower viewing in the eastern Columbia River Gorge. The trailhead and parking is located on the north side of the county road, leading to a multi-use biker/hiker/equestrian trail.
Visitors can carefully cross the county road to reach the south side Catherine Creek Trail #4400, an accessible one mile paved trail with views of the Columbia River. Be aware that individuals with disabilities may need some assistance.
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.
Dog Mountain Day Use Area and Trailhead is the access point for two of the most scenic trails in the Gorge, Dog Mountain Trail #147 and Augspurger Trail #4407. These two trails form a popular loop hike, if you connect via the 1.5 mile Dog-Augspurger Tie Trail. The area is known for the spring-blooming yellow balsamroot flowers in the upper meadows, yet there are other wildflowers to see such as white phantom orchids, Indian paintbrush and purple lupine.
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. 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.
On Saturdays and Sundays from March 31 to July 1, each individual using the Dog Mountain Trail System is required to obtain a permit.
Eagle Creek campground is the first developed campground in the National Forest System, having opened in 1916! This campground makes a terrific base camp for a weekend of adventures such as hiking, boating and river activities, interpretive centers, fish hatcheries, bird watching and picnicking. The campground includes 17 campsites, 14 of which must be reserved at www.recreation.gov and 3 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site has a paved parking apron and most are fully accessible. A central restroom features flush toilets (no showers) and drinking water. Faucets for drinking water are scattered throughout the campground. A full-time host is on site. Campsites are situated between large trees atop a bluff above Eagle Creek and the Columbia River. There are no RV hookups and there is a 20 foot trailer limit due to small spaces and tight curves on the road leading up to the campground.
The campground is part of the Eagle Creek Recreation Area featuring the Historic Eagle Creek Trail, constructed in 1916 and still considered one of the most popular and scenic hikes in the Gorge. Explore other area trails for outstanding day hikes and views, including Buck Point, Gorge #400, Ruckel Creek #405, Wauna Point #402, and Shady Glen #402A. Be aware many of these trails are steep or pass along cliffs with steep dropoffs. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Columbia River Gorge from Wauna Point or Buck Point or access Mt. Hood National Forest and Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness with extended overnight trips.
Eagle Creek campground is situated adjacent to Interstate 84 and railroad tracks, so the campground may be too noisy for some, especially sites #7-14.
This historic recreation site is a great spot for a picnic lunch, with access to a variety of trails, historic Civilian Conservation Corps structures, perched on a hillside overlooking Eagle Creek. The picnic area is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible picnic shelter. There is a 20 foot trailer length limit in this recreation site due to tight curves in recreation area.
Cascade Hatchery is located onsite. 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 hike passes through forest, waterfalls, and sheer cliffs of basalt. Its spectacular views and waterfalls make it one of the most popular trails in the Columbia. Sheer cliffs have no hand rails on parts of this trail, so this hike is not be suitable for children or those afraid of heights, despite its gentle overall grade.
Its iconic Punch Bowl Falls, about 2 miles up the trail, spills 100 feet into a blue-green pool set in a large grotto. High Bridge traverses a narrow gorge, 150 feet above the creek. At Tunnel Falls, the trail passes through a tunnel behind the shower of falling water.
This trail is part of a multi-day loop opportunity which continues into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness on the Hood River Ranger District in the Mt. Hood National Forest. 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.
The full length of the segment runs 11 miles out-and-back, but there are a number of great stops along the way you can visit and use as turnarounds, if you are looking for a shorter ride. For example, from Cascade Locks, this is a great alternative route to bike or walk in to Eagle Creek, where parking fills early and remains a challenge all summer long. Toothrock Trailhead is another place where you can start or end your journey.
This partially constructed segment of the HCRH State Trail is named after Mitchell Point, an impressive promontory just west of Hood River.
It includes the newest paved section of the HCRH State Trail, which opened in late 2016 and runs from Starvation Creek to Lindsey Creek. It's now possible to bike or walk from Viento State Park, past Starvation Creek State Park, to Lindsey Creek and view a number of impressive waterfalls along the route.
Two unfinished sections remain. The first will connect Wyeth to Lindsey Creek and will be under construction during 2017 - 2018. The "final five" miles, which will complete the full HCRH reconnection, will either circumvent or traverse Mitchell Point. This section is one of the most challenging parts of the reconnection project to date, and is still early in the planning process. No completion date has yet been settled.
This Rails-to-Trails conversion follows an old railroad grade through the spectacular Klickitat Canyon, and its wide (12 feet in most places) pathway is ideal for mountain bikes, horseback riding and family strolls.
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. For more information, visit the Klickitat Trail Conservancy web site.
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.
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. In the upper portion of the lodge is a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is also accessible by elevator.
The lower viewing platform is now open but the trails are not accessible at this time due to a continued closure in place while the Forest Service continues to monitor hazards and implement safety mitigations. Review frequently asked questions about the re-opening of the lodge.
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:
Sandy River Delta is a multi-use recreation area open to horseback riding, hiking, biking, and even hunting in the allowable area. A quick drive from Troutdale and not far from Portland, this is a great spot for a nature getaway. Its views, extensive trail system, and easy mountain biking make this site a quick retreat from the city.
Confluence Trail 1.25 miles (accessible trail, dogs on leash), which leads to a commemorative bird blind listing species recorded by Lewis and Clark. Read information about this site & listen to a audio tour by the Confluence Project.
Meadow Trail 0.5 miles
Ranch Dike Trail 1.25 miles
Old Channel Trail 0.75 miles
There are parking spots designed for vehicles with trailers. Visitors in vehicles without trailers are asked to honor these spots and reserve them for trailers.
Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Access via Hiking Trail; Fish available include: Salmon, Steelhead, Bass; Types of fishing available include: Wade, Shore, Spin, Bait.
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.
Wyeth Campground includes 13 individual sites and 3 group sites in a beautiful setting surrounded by Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple trees. Fully paved, it offers access to hiking on the nearby Wyeth Trail #411 and Gorge Trail #400 via Wyeth/Gorton Creek Trailhead. All but 2 individual sites are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Sites 1 and 2 are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.
No hookups ARE available and only small trailers and RVs, less than 30 feet overall in length, will fit. Potable water is available.
Reserve early to ensure a spot! This is a popular campground, so sites are usually fully booked out months in advance for dates between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
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.
