Recreation


Looking east down the Gorge, you see the historic Crown Point perched on a cliff and endless trees

Discover an Area by Activity

Select an activity to find an area to visit.

Know before you go. Take a look at Current Conditions below the Recreation Map.

The Columbia River Gorge receives a high volume of visitors and popular sites can get crowded. Please consider a few "Plan B" options in case your first choice is too crowded when you arrive. Please visit ReadySetGorge interagency website to plan your trip. 

Interactive Recreation Map of Forest Service sites

 

Recreation Conditions Report

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Angel's Rest Trail (#415) Open Open
BZ Launch Site & Trail (#4413) Open Open Boat launch, take-outs and trail are open for use. Please use winter stairs to access the river as the metal stairs have been raised for the season. One vault restroom open year-round.
Balfour-Klickitat Area & Trail (#4414) Open Open
Bonneville Trailhead Open Open
Bridge Of The Gods Trailhead Open Open 5/1/23: Restrooms are open for the season. A valid recreation pass is required for parking. 
Cape Horn Overlook Open Open
Cape Horn Trail (#4418) Open Open Seasonal closure on lower loop in effect Feb 1 to Jul 15 to protect peregrine falcon nesting habitat. (See closure area on posted signs.)
Catherine Creek Interpretive Trail (#4400) Open Open
Catherine Creek Loop Open Open
Catherine Creek Recreation Area Open Open 3/3/23: Damaged bridge on lower trail impeding ADA wheelchair access on the west side (out and back OK) East side is wheelchair passable.
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Open Open 2/24/22: The Discovery Center is open daily 9am-5pm. Call for more information (541) 296-8600.
Coyote Wall Recreation Area Open Open Dogs must be on leash Dec 1 - June 30 to protect nesting birds. Alert: Heavy traffic on weekends and afternoons. Do not park in lanes of traffic. Violators subject to tow.
Devils Rest Trail (#420C) Open Open
Dog Creek Falls Observation Site Open Open
Dog Mountain Open Open One (per vehicle) permit required on weekends, including Memorial Day and Juneteenth, from April 29 - June 19, 2023. A valid recreation pass is also required. 
Eagle Creek Campground Open Open 5/1/23: Open for the season; make reservations at Rec.gov.
Eagle Creek Day Use Area Open Open Day Use restroom is now open; flush toilets available ; a valid recreation pass is required for parking. 
Eagle Creek Overlook Group Campground Open Open 5/1/23: Open for the season, potable water available; Reservations only.
Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail (#440) Open Open A valid recreation pass is required for parking.  Flush toilet restrooms are open at Big John and trailhead.
Gorge 400 (MP 15 - 19.5) John Yeon to Wahclella Open Open
Gorge 400 Trail Open Open
Gorton Creek Trail (#408) Open Open
Herman Creek Campground/Horse Camp Closed Closed Closed for site restoration. Est. re-opening in 2024
Herman Creek Trail (#406) Open Open
Herman Creek Trailhead Open Open A valid recreation pass is required for parking. 
Historic Columbia River Highway Open Open Timed Use Permits no longer required.
Horsetail Falls & Trail (#438) Open Open
Husum Boating Site Open Open
Klickitat Trail Open Open Open for day use only.
Klickitat Wild & Scenic River Open Open
Larch Mountain Closed Closed 11/29/2022: Larch Mountain Road will be closed for maintenance through 2023.
Larch Mountain Trail (#441) Open Open
Lower Punchbowl Trail (#440B) Open Open
Lyle Trailhead Open Open
Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness: Columbia Gorge Open Open Parts of the wilderness are closed due to post-fire hazards. Plan your hike carefully, and check specific trails for status. Do not hike off trail and respect closure signs.
Metlako Falls Spur Trail (#440A) Closed Closed Closed indefinitely due to landslide that destroyed the viewpoint.
Moffett Creek Trail (#430) Closed Closed Closed due to hazards and unstable conditions.
Mount Defiance Trail (#413) Open Open Expect rugged conditions, not cleared since 2016.
Multnomah Falls Open Open Timed Use Permits will be req'd starting May 26 through Sept. 4, 2023.
Multnomah Falls Lodge Open Open
Nesmith Point Trail (#428) Open Open
Nick Eaton Trail (#447) Open Open Avoid during high winds and heavy rains due to tree fall and landslide hazards.
Northwestern Park None None Northwestern Park, owned and operated by PacifiCorp Power, provides public access to the White Salmon Wild and Scenic River with a boat ramp and picnic facilities.
Oneonta Trail (#424) Open Open 9/6/22 Oneonta Trail is open. ONEONTA GORGE (which is separate from the trail) is closed until further notice.
Oneonta Trailhead Open Open Oneonta Trail to Triple Falls and beyond is open. ONEONTA GORGE remains closed.
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (#2000) Open Open
River Front Trail (#4406) Open Open
Sams Walker Day Use Area & Trail (#4402) Open Open
Sandy River Delta Open Open Open for day use. Must keep dogs on leash in parking lot and surrounding area as well as confluence trail. Do NOT park in trailer parking area (unless you have a horse trailer). A valid recreation pass is required.
Skamania Lodge None None
St. Cloud Day Use Area & Trail (#4410) Open Open
Starvation Ridge Trail (#414) Open Open Only accessible via Mt. Defiance Trail #413 as the old cutoff trail (414A) is now closed.
Wahclella Falls Trail (#436) Open Open Limited parking; do not leave any items of value in your vehicle.
Wahkeena Falls Closed Closed 5/4/23: Opening soon!
Wahkeena Trail (#420) Open Open
White Salmon Wild & Scenic River Open Open
Wyeth Campground Open Open 5/1/23: Open for the season; no potable water.
Wyeth Trail (#411) Open Open