Your national forests and grasslands are 193 million acres of vast, scenic beauty waiting for you to discover. Visitors who choose to recreate on these public lands find more than 150,000 miles of trails, 10,000 developed recreation sites, 57,000 miles of streams, 122 alpine ski areas, 338,000 heritage sites, and specially designated sites that include 9,100 miles of byways, 22 recreation areas, 11 scenic areas, 439 wilderness areas, 122 wild and scenic rivers, nine monuments, and one preserve. And remember, “It’s All Yours.”
Gorge 400 (MP 19.5 - 22.5) Wahclella to Eagle Crk
Hike this section of the Gorge Trail #400 through the forest from Wahclella Falls Trailhead to Eagle Creek Day Use Area/Trailhead. Access to other trails along this section such as Wauna Point Trail.…
HCRH (US 30) - Hood River
This remaining section of the Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) can be explored from I-84 exits 62 and 64. It heads past historic hotels and quaint shops and restaurants of downtown Hood River, leading east of town to the Mark O. Hatfield East visitor's center. There, the car-free Twin Tunnels segment of the HCRH State Trail allows bikers and pedestrians to continue to Mosier. …
Wahkeena Falls
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…
Skamania Lodge
Skamania Lodge, a magnificent resort nestled on 175 wooded acres, is located in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The lodge is located just 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon, on the Washington side of the Columbia River. "Skamania" is the Chinook Indian word for "swift water.” The lodge has three nature trails on the property, ranging from 1 to 1 3/4 miles in…
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…
Sandy River Delta
Pay the new $5.00 per vehicle per day fee at Recreation.gov or at an official Recreation Pass Vendor near you. Or, display a valid pass: …
HCRH (US 30) - Mosier to The Dalles
Full of outstanding panoramas, this section of the Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) is a delightful drive. The world-famous loops that descend from the Rowena plateau to The Dalles is even a joy to drive on weekends, as its distance from Portland has kept it one of the Gorge's less-discovered secrets. Situated on the east end of the Cascades Range, it looks over a grassland ecosystem and is often…
Catherine Creek Recreation Area
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…
Husum Boating Site
Located in Husum, WA, this site offers an opportunity to portage around Husum Falls, a class V waterfall requiring a lot of white water boating experience or a guide to pass.
Coyote Wall Recreation Area
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…
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
Located just west of The Dalles, OR, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This 26,100 square foot exhibit wing holds interpretive displays which describe the tremendous volcanic upheavals and raging floods that created the Gorge, explanations of why ice ages occur, how the…
Dog Mountain
Weekend Permits (Sat & Sun) are Required from April 24 – June 13 & Memorial Day. Click here to reserve. Visitors must carry a permit or an electronic copy of their permit on the trail.
Dog Mountain Day Use Area and Trailhead is the access point for two of the most scenic trails in the Gorge,…
Klickitat Wild & Scenic River
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. This stretch of river begins as a broad canyon with rolling hills that drops at a steady gradient of 26 feet per mile before cascading into a Class V gorge around river mile 2 with an unrunnable entrance feature.
A significant…
Multnomah Falls
The Multnomah Lodge restaurant, gift shop, snack bar and restrooms are open to the public. When indoors, please wear a mask and when outside maintain a 6 foot physical distance from other visitors and wear a mask if unable to do so. The Visitor Center is temporarily closed.
Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest with more than 2 million…
Gorge 400 (MP 0 - 12.5) Angels Rest to Ainsworth
The first 4.8 miles of this hike is the Angels Rest Trail #415. Continue on from this panoramic viewpoint through Wahkeena Creek basin to Wahkeena Trail #420. Hike down past Fairy Falls, a 20 to 30 foot tiered waterfall, before reaching Wahkeena Falls and the return trail…
Multnomah Falls Lodge
The lodge restaurant, restrooms and gift shop are currently open to the public. The Visitor Center is closed for public safety at this time.
Built in 1925, the Lodge is on the National Register of Historic Places. Within its structure, it embodies every type of rock found in the Columbia River Gorge. Bring binoculars to get a better view of these iconic falls and enjoy the sound of rushing…
Columbia River - Washington Shoreline Access
The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area is home to one of the most spectacular stretches of the Columbia River, and within our boundaries lie a variety of state, county, and local parks that provide shoreline access from the Washington side. Be sure to check their website for applicable fees, current conditions, and restrictions:
- Beacon Rock State Park. This freshwater shoreline…
Cape Horn Overlook
Cape Horn Overlook is accessed via Cape Horn Trail #4418. Follow Cape Horn Trail for a scenic 2 mile hike to Cape Horn Overlook. The site was developed in dedication to Nancy Russell, who saved this slice of heaven and its breathtaking views of the Columbia River Gorge.
You can complete the entire strenuous loop between July 16 to Jan 31.…
Eagle Creek Day Use Area
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…
Upper Labyrinth (#4424)
Located just south of Atwood Road in Klickitat County, Upper Labyrinth Trail connects to Desert Parsley Trail to the east, leading to the Catherine Creek Area. To the west, it links up with Labyrinth Trail, providing spectacular views of the eastern Gorge.
Northwestern Park
This park was the site of a reservoir, before Condit Dam's removal from the White Salmon River in 2011. Today, it is a small park owned and managed by Pacific Power that provides a key take-out locations for boaters on the Lower White Salmon River Wild & Scenic River.
Herman Creek Trailhead
Herman Creek Trailhead is the access point for a number of trails including Herman Creek Trail #406 (elevation gain 3,835'), and Gorge Trail #400.
Herman Creek Trail provides loop opportunities with…
Columbia River - Oregon Shoreline Access
The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area is home to one of the most spectacular stretches of the Columbia River. These state, county, and local parks provide shoreline access from the Oregon side. Be sure to check the relevant website for applicable fees, current conditions, and restrictions:
- Cascade Locks - Blackberry Beach. This Port of Cascade Locks site is…
Herman Creek Campground/Horse Camp
Situated in a stand of Douglas Fir, Herman Creek Horse Camp offers 7 sites, some with stalls, on a first come, first serve basis. This site has a turnaround and can accommodate stock trailers.
No hookups available on site.
A trailhead for Herman Creek Trail (#406) and the…
Dog Creek Falls Observation Site
A small pulloff of Washington State Route 14 with a very short hike (0.1 mile) to a viewpoint of Dog Creek Falls. Take a swim in this cool creek or enjoy train-watching!