Visitor Centers

Come on down for a visit! Our field rangers will be happy to answer your questions...

Visitor Centers Areas

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
Historic Columbia River Highway
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.
HCRH (US 30) - Hood River
Multnomah Falls
- Waterfall Corridor & Multnomah Falls Permits
  
  Reservations are required daily May 24 - September 5 , 2022
  
  Get Your Permit
The Multnomah Falls Lodge restaurant, gift shop, snack bar and restrooms are open to the public. Timed Use Permits are required May 24 through September 5, 2022.

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 restrooms, a Visitor Center, a snack bar, a gift shop 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.

On the lower level of Multnomah Falls Lodge is a U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center, snack bar, gift shop and restrooms. The restaurant is located on the upper level and can be accessed by stairs or elevator.
Multnomah Falls Lodge

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Recreation Activities

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/crgnsa/recreation/outdoorlearning/?recid=29872&actid=120