Location:
Follows the Columbia River along Oregon's northern border from The Dalles
near Portland
Length: 70 miles (112 km)
Time To Allow: 3 to 5 hours
Description/Highlights/Points
of Interest
Travel to magnificent overlooks that provide views of the Columbia River
and five waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls; additional waterfalls
are accessible via the many adjacent hiking trails. Throughout the spring
you'll see beautiful wildflower displays, including many endemic plants.
The Columbia River formed the last leg of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
that was part of the early route of the Oregon Trail.
Suggested
Itinerary
Start your tour in Troutdale, the western entry point to the Historic
Columbia River Highway. The attractive setting, unique shopping district
and convenient distance from the interstate make this small town a perfect
start to your tour of the highway.
Driving east,
your first stop along the tour is Sandy River. An old iron bridge
crosses the river at this point. You can take a side trip to the left
to visit Lewis and Clark Park, but be sure to return to the byway
to continue your journey east.
If you want a stunning scenic vista, stop at Portland Women's Forum
State Scenic Viewpoint, located about ten minutes outside of Troutdale
(Milepost 10.3). Turn off here to view Crown Point, Vista House and the
Columbia River Gorge.
Crown Point and historic Vista House are next, about a mile
(1.6 km) further east at milepost 11.5. Look inside or take a stroll around
the point (carefully as the road curves around the building here) and
enjoy yet another wonderful view of the river and the Gorge.
Scattered throughout the next few miles are many waterfalls, each with
their own history and qualities. Latourell Falls, Shepherd's
Dell, Wahkeena Falls and Bridal Veil Falls each will whet your
appetite for the most visited waterfall on the byway, Multnomah Falls.
This beautiful double-cascade falls more than 650 feet total. Stop and
take the hike up to the bridge crossing the waterfall for an up-close
view. Have a meal at historic Multnomah Falls Lodge or visit the
gift shop.
Back on the highway, you will shortly encounter Oneonta Gorge.
This narrow canyon and the stream that runs through it offers a cool,
dark and shady hike. To enjoy it fully, follow the path to its river crossing,
take off your shoes and wade in the chilly stream. Continuing east you
will rejoin the interstate for a while. The Bridge of the Gods
at Cascade Locks connects Oregon to Washington.
Hood River, at the confluence of the Hood River and the Columbia
River, is the windsurfing capital of the world. Stop and watch expert
windsurfers from the riverside or from vantage points at hotels and viewpoints
along the river. Or, visit the downtown historic district and stop by
the Hood River County Museum.
Take time to leave your car now and walk the portion of the Historic Columbia
River Highway between Hood River and Mosier that has been converted to
a state trail. Remnants of the original auto highway and railings may
still be seen. Or if you continue in your car along the main highway instead,
look for tunnels and roadbed high above you, a visible clue to a tremendous
engineering feat.
As you leave the rainforest of the gorge and enter the drier wide rolling
plains west of Rowena and the Dalles, stop a moment at the Memaloose
Overlook near the Tom McCall Preserve. Below you, the highway
twists in the hairpin turns of the Rowena Loops. This engineering
achievement remains remarkable even by today's standards.
After you navigate the switchbacks of the Rowena Loops, catch your breath
with a stop at the Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Museum.
Opened in 1997, this museum offers interpretive exhibits about the human
and natural history of the Columbia River Gorge. End your trip on the
Historic Columbia River Highway at The Dalles. You can view the
nearby Dalles Lock and Dam, or tour the historic district of this
city.
The
following organizations offers trips near the Historic Columbia River
Highway:
Great Northwest
World
Wide Country Tours, Inc.
America's Great Northwest is blessed with spectacular scenery, snowcapped
mountains and dramatic river gorges, waterfalls and rocky coastlines,
arid deserts and fertile valleys. Experience breathtaking vistas of Mt.
Hood. Take in extraordinary views of the Columbia River Gorge. See Mt.
St. Helens and how this region has recovered since the 1980 eruption.
View spectacular Multnomah Falls, one of America's ten highest waterfalls.
Stay in the charming town of Newport, Oregon along the Pacific Coast.
American Driving Vacations
Traveling
America
Traveling along the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway, visitors experience
some of the most spectacular scenery and waterfalls in the world. This
4-day/3-night getaway will expose you to the beautiful scenery of the
Columbia River Gorge and surrounding areas. With accommodations at The
Governor Hotel in downtown Portland, you will stay right in the heart
of the city, ironically, a great starting point for your natural adventure.
Enjoy a historic walking tour of downtown Portland and visit the International
Rose Test Gardens, Hoyt Arboretum, Vista House at Crown Point, Multnomah
Falls, Historic Multomah Falls Lodge, Bonneville Dam, Historic Columbia
Gorge Hotel & Gardens, Hood River Valley, Historic Timberline Lodge and
Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Oregon
Tauck World Discovery
Experience the great outdoors on a journey through Oregon - snow-capped
peaks, dramatic coastline, lush forests, untamed rivers, sage-colored
deserts and gorged canyons abound. Explore coastal waters on a marine
cruise, take an exciting jet boat trip along the scenic Rogue River, enjoy
a guided hike or stroll along one of Oregon's magnificent beaches.
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