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The historic Vista House at Crown Point serves as both a museum, resting point for travelers and panoramic viewpoint of the incredible scenery.
Credit: Travel Oregon

Columbia River Gorge

Starting just 30 miles (48 km) east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers amazing vistas, trails and more than 90 waterfalls.

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The historic Vista House at Crown Point serves as both a museum, resting point for travelers and panoramic viewpoint of the incredible scenery.
Credit: Travel Oregon

Know Before You Go

COVID-19 Update: Many Columbia River Gorge destinations are closed or inaccessible as of March 2021. Closures include Vista House and the historic highway from Bridal Veil to Ainsworth State Park.

For the latest information, please visit the U.S. Forest Service; Ready, Set, Gorge; Friends of the Gorge; and ODOT.

Travel 30 miles (48 km) east of Portland and you’ll discover the Columbia River Gorge, a deep canyon of the Columbia River that’s also home to gorgeous waterfalls, epic vistas and seemingly endless options for outdoor recreation. Along the way, historic landmarks and small towns provide places to rest and relax while exploring this one-of-a-kind Oregon destination. Read on for our recommendations for ways to explore and things to do while visiting the Columbia River Gorge.

Region

Know Before You Go

The gorge draws more than 2 million visitors a year. To get the most enjoyment out of your trip, we recommend:
– Traveling car-free
– Visiting mid-week
– Going east of Hood River
– Use Oregon Department of Transportation’s Trip Check website to look at current road conditions

Explore the Gorge

Discover a few of the gems of the Columbia River Gorge.

Multnomah Falls, 30 miles east of Portland, is Oregon\'s tallest waterfall.

Multnomah Falls

Located just 30 miles (48 km) east of downtown Portland, Oregon’s tallest waterfall attracts visitors of all ages and abilities.

Sunshine Mill in The Dalles

The Dalles

Explore the sunny and historic Columbia River Gorge town of The Dalles.

For more than a century, Crown Point Vista House has offered visitors incredible views of the surrounding Columbia River Gorge.

Crown Point Vista House

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Columbia River from this 100-year-old observatory.

Two Days in the Columbia River Gorge

Savor the views and flavor of Hood River and the scenic gorge with this 48-hour itinerary.

Hit the Gorge

Activities in the Gorge

Enjoy the region's stellar outdoor recreation and craft beer scene.

Test your mountain biking skills on the expert-only Syncline trail.

Biking in the Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a recreational biker’s paradise, with options including car-free blacktop, smooth single-track flows and canyon trails with tricky switchbacks.

The Pfriem Family Brewers taproom in Hood River.

Brewing in the Gorge

Take in the outstanding beauty of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area while enjoying five outstanding brewpubs.

Adventurers love the waves and windsurfing at the Columbia River Gorge.

Windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge

Grab your board and head to the Columbia River Gorge, the windsurfing capital of the world, located a short drive east of Portland.

Car-Free Trips to the Columbia River Gorge

With convenient shuttle buses, tour services and bike trails, visitors don't need a car to explore the gorge.

Let's go!