Bonneville Trailhead
Fee Tube Inoperable
We are currently not able to accept cash at this site. Purchase a recreation pass before you go or scan the QR code to pay once you arrive
Provides access to Tamanous Trail #27, which connects hikers to the Pacific Crest Trail…
Bridge Of The Gods Trailhead
Provides access to: Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 which accesses Mark O Hatfield Wilderness to the south, and the state of Washington to the north across the Columbia River. The trailhead is located at the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, OR the largest city adjacent to the Pacific Crest Trail. This site is also the lowest elevation on the Pacific Crest Trail. The trailhead includes a parking area…
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.…
Catherine Creek Loop
This 1.9 mile loop, northeast of the Catherine Creek Trailhead, offers spectacular wildflower viewing during the spring and passes within sight of a natural arch. The vicinity surrounding the arch is closed to protect resources and is marked off by a fence. Please help keep it nice for the next generation, and do not enter the closed area.
Watch for poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes. This trail is lightly…
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…
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…
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 popular with windsurfers and…
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 on the Columbia River,…
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 breath-taking…
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!
Dog Mountain
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 …
Eagle Creek Campground
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 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 "Big…
Eagle Creek Overlook Group Campground
This historic site was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's as a place to view construction of the Bonneville Dam. Great for family gatherings and other group events.
Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail (#440)
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…
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…
Gorge 400 (MP 15 - 19.5) John Yeon to Wahclella
This 5.2 mile section of Gorge Trail #400 traverses through evergreen forests and wildflower blooms. The trail is a nice day hike for people of all ages. Look for calypso orchids in early spring, along with other wildflowers throughout the season. Enjoy the view of the towering basalt cliffs.
This section runs from John Yeon…
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.…
Gorge 400 (MP 22.5 - 25) Eagle Cr to Cascade Locks
From Eagle Creek Trailhead this 2.6 mile stretch of the Gorge Trail provides some paved sections of the historic Columbia Highway as well as some single track trail. This section ends at Cascade Locks, OR at Bridge of the Gods Trailhead which accesses Pacific Crest…
Gorge 400 (MP 25 - 35) Cascade Locks to Wyeth
This section of the Gorge Trail #400 "piggybacks" on other trails for much of its distance. From the Bridge of the Gods Trailhead in Cascade Locks cross the toll bridge road to find the Pacific Crest Trail. In about 1/10 of a mile, you’ll come to Moody Road as you cross under the freeway. Walk the road uphill to the right and continue straight…
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.
Just…
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…
HCRH (US 30) - Waterfall Corridor
By far the most popular segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway, the waterfall corridor runs from Troutdale to Ainsworth.
It can be extremely congested on weekends (think: bumper to bumper) so if you are hoping for a leisurely drive, plan ahead with Ready, Set, Gorge tips on avoiding congestion.
For more information…
Herman Creek Campground/Horse Camp
The forest surrounding the previous campground was found to have laminated root rot. The campground was treated for this destructive-to-conifers fungus, and replanted with native hardwoods. CRGNSA took the opportunity to redesign the campground. Estimated completion of the new facilty is 2025.
A trailhead for Herman Creek Trail (#406) and the…
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…
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 …
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.
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…
Larch Mountain
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 (…
Lyle Trailhead
Newly developed at the mouth of the Wild and Scenic Klickitat River, the Lyle Trailhead provides access to the Klickitat Trail (a Rails to Trails project) that runs along the scenic Klickitat River.
Select image to view a…