Skip to content
Travel Portland logo

The Official Guide to Portland

  • Things to Do in Portland
    • Close Menu
      • three women walk through rows of rosesView All Things to Do in Portland
      • Parks & Gardens
      • Kid-Friendly Activities
      • Shopping
      • Food Carts & Pods Finder
      • On a Budget
      • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • Close Menu
      • a person in bright clothes and high-heeled boots vogues in front of a park fountain, surrounded by manicured rose bushesView All Culture
      • Arts
      • Beer
      • Biking
      • Cannabis
      • Cultural Communities
      • Craft Spirits
      • Food
      • Makers
      • Music
      • Nightlife
      • Outdoors
      • Sports
      • Weird
      • Wine
      • MORE CULTURE
  • Neighborhoods
    • Close Menu
      • aerial view of downtown area with buildings and roadways, bridges crossing a river to a smaller set of buildings that expand into the distanceView All Neighborhoods
      • Alberta Arts District
      • Belmont
      • Central Eastside
      • Division/Clinton
      • Downtown
      • Hawthorne
      • Lloyd
      • Mississippi
      • Northwest / Nob Hill
      • Old Town Chinatown
      • Pearl District
      • St. Johns
      • Sellwood-Moreland
      • Williams
      • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Region
    • Close Menu
      • aerial view of the countryside and coastal range with an old rail bridge turned bike and walking pathView All Region
      • Near the City
      • Columbia River Gorge
      • Mount Hood
      • Oregon Coast
      • Willamette Valley
      • ALL REGIONS
  • Plan Your Trip
    • Close Menu
      • a light rail train on a cobblestone road passes the historic Saturday Market entry archesView All Plan Your Trip
      • Portland Maps
      • Portland Visitor Center
      • Where to Stay in Portland
      • Portland Tours
      • Transportation
      • Accessible Portland
      • Portland Weather
      • Safety in Portland
  • Plan a Meeting
  • Events Calendar
  • Search
Primary Menu Events Calendar Near Me Plan a Meeting content loading animation Search
  • Things to Do in Portland
    • Close Menu
      • three women walk through rows of rosesView All Things to Do in Portland
      • Parks & Gardens
      • Kid-Friendly Activities
      • Shopping
      • Food Carts & Pods Finder
      • On a Budget
      • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • Close Menu
      • a person in bright clothes and high-heeled boots vogues in front of a park fountain, surrounded by manicured rose bushesView All Culture
      • Arts
      • Beer
      • Biking
      • Cannabis
      • Cultural Communities
      • Craft Spirits
      • Food
      • Makers
      • Music
      • Nightlife
      • Outdoors
      • Sports
      • Weird
      • Wine
      • MORE CULTURE
  • Neighborhoods
    • Close Menu
      • aerial view of downtown area with buildings and roadways, bridges crossing a river to a smaller set of buildings that expand into the distanceView All Neighborhoods
      • Alberta Arts District
      • Belmont
      • Central Eastside
      • Division/Clinton
      • Downtown
      • Hawthorne
      • Lloyd
      • Mississippi
      • Northwest / Nob Hill
      • Old Town Chinatown
      • Pearl District
      • St. Johns
      • Sellwood-Moreland
      • Williams
      • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Region
    • Close Menu
      • aerial view of the countryside and coastal range with an old rail bridge turned bike and walking pathView All Region
      • Near the City
      • Columbia River Gorge
      • Mount Hood
      • Oregon Coast
      • Willamette Valley
      • ALL REGIONS
  • Plan Your Trip
    • Close Menu
      • a light rail train on a cobblestone road passes the historic Saturday Market entry archesView All Plan Your Trip
      • Portland Maps
      • Portland Visitor Center
      • Where to Stay in Portland
      • Portland Tours
      • Transportation
      • Accessible Portland
      • Portland Weather
      • Safety in Portland
  • Plan a Meeting
  • Events Calendar
  • Search
Maya Seaman

Maya Seaman

Maya Seaman is a SoCal-born writer who traded palm trees for pines when she moved to Portland in 2010. Read More

the vista house is in the distance, framed by brush and tree branches on three sides in the foreground
i
For more than a century, Crown Point Vista House has offered visitors incredible views of the surrounding Columbia River Gorge.
Credit: Ashley Anderson
Region / What to Do in the Columbia River Gorge

Crown Point Vista House

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

Updated Mar. 19, 2025 3 min read
Maya Seaman

Maya Seaman

Maya Seaman is a SoCal-born writer who traded palm trees for pines when she moved to Portland in 2010. Read More

Know Before You Go

For information regarding what trails and campsites are open, please visit the U.S. Forest Service; Ready, Set, GOrge; and Friends of the Gorge. For road conditions and closures, visit ODOT Trip Check.

As you travel east from Portland along Interstate 84, the lush, tree-lined corridors give way to towering cliffs and recessed waterfalls. Between watching the road and marveling at the craggy bluffs surrounding you, it can be easy to miss seeing the Crown Point Vista House perched atop a rocky outcropping hundreds of feet above.

Called the crown jewel of the Columbia River Gorge, the Crown Point Vista House is a century-old observatory, rest stop and museum. Located only 25 miles (40 km) from downtown Portland, Vista House serves as a beacon for Oregon’s founding history and yields jaw-dropping views, making it a favorite destination.

Know Before You Go

Travelers should be aware of closures affecting the Historic Columbia River Highway (also known as U.S. Route 30):
– A section of the highway west of Multnomah Falls will be closed for improvements Oct. 1, 2024–May 26, 2025. Access to the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls will remain open via Interstate 84. Details are available via ODOT.
– An additional section of the highway is closed between Portland Women’s Forum and Vista House, just east of East Larch Mountain Road, due to safety concerns following recent roadway settling. Through users can continue to use Interstate 84; Northeast Corbett Hill Road and East Bridal Veil Road remain open, allowing access to destinations along the route. ODOT’s Trip Check site can provide the latest information.

Attractions, History, Museums, Region

History and Architecture of the Crown Point Vista House

When the Columbia River Highway was completed in 1913, engineer Samuel Lancaster proposed the construction of a “comfort station” atop Crown Point, a stunning basalt promontory jutting out 733 feet (223 m) above the Columbia River. Offering breathtaking, unobstructed views of the gorge, Lancaster declared it a place for weary travelers to rest — “an Isle of Safety to all the visitors who wish to look on that matchless scene.”

The house was designed by architect Edgar Lazarus in the style of German Art Nouveau. The octagonal building stands 55 feet (17 m) high with tall, opalized glass windows offering 360-degree views of the gorge. The interior floors and hand-carved water fountains are constructed from Tokeen Alaskan marble, which extends into the stairwells and bathrooms on the lower level.

visitors walk away from the vista house, past a sign that says "Vista House"
Take in epic views of the surrounding Columbia River Gorge at Crown Point Vista House.

Credit: Ashley Anderson

The building’s peachy-hued walls are pink limestone, which arches fluidly upwards toward a domed ceiling whose supporting ribs are each adorned with a bust of unidentified Native Americans. The sandstone exterior creates the illusion that the observatory was carved out of the mountain itself — a steadfast symbol of Oregon’s connection to the state’s stunning natural beauty.

After its completion in 1918, Lancaster named it the “Vista House” and declared it a memorial to “the trials and hardships of those who had come into the Oregon country.” Ironically, many Oregonians at the time chided it for being an overpriced outhouse. Its opulent $100,000 price tag was considered steep during the end of World War I when materials and manpower were scarce. Over time, however, Vista House’s ethereal charm, historical significance and practicality won out, landing it on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

Modern Upgrades to Crown Point Vista House

After nearly a century of wear, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the State Historic Preservation Office and the nonprofit Friends of Vista House banded together to finance a site restoration. The five-year, $4 million renovation began in 2001 and included restoring the roof, adding new interpretive displays, updating plumbing and providing ADA accessibility throughout, including a custom-designed “invisible” lift.

the interior entrance of the vista house, featuring tall ceilings and visitors milling about
Visitors strolling through the historic Crown Point Vista House.

Credit: Ashley Anderson

Now, visitors can get a crash course in Oregon’s history along with a warm beverage at the espresso bar, then stock up on locally made crafts at the museum gift shop before heading outside to bask in a natural scenic wonderland that has mesmerized generations of travelers.

Visiting Crown Point Vista House

How much does it cost?

There is no fee to enter Crown Point Park or enter the Vista House.

The Vista House is maintained and sustained by donations and volunteers of Friends of Vista House.

When is it open?

In the busy summer season, the Vista House is open Fridays through Mondays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Starting in November winter hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., but those seeking solitude (and an epic sunrise or sunset) can park in the surrounding lot for free at any time.

Keep in mind that the park will close if the wind is above 50 mph (80 kph).

How do I get there?

Heading east from Portland along Interstate 84, use exit 22 (Corbett) and wind your way up along the Historic Columbia River Highway until you reach Crown Point.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. To meet ADA standards, a one-of-a-kind custom lift was designed to match the Vista House’s historic architecture for full accessibility.

Are there any waterfalls nearby?

Crown Point marks the beginning of the “Waterfall Corridor“ that features eight waterfalls along the historic highway, including Multnomah Falls.

Editor’s note: Starting July 20, 2021, advance tickets are required to visit Multnomah Falls through September (tickets won’t be required if you shuttle or take a guided tour instead). Here is everything you need to know about how to book your tickets to Multnomah Falls.

Adventure in the Gorge

Dive into a seemingly infinite supply of outdoor recreation in the Columbia River Gorge.

Go To The Gorge
fish ladder with utilitarian building off to the side in front of a hillside with waterfalls and a winter forest

Bonneville Dam

Admire wonders of engineering and migrating salmon at this historic landmark on the Columbia River.

view from the sky of the vista house and columbia river gorge

Two Days in the Columbia River Gorge

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

skirting a wide river there are yellow and oranges of changing leaves within the evergreen forest

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.

Was this page helpful?

Expedia logo

Find your stay.

Book Now

Visitor Information

visitorinfo@travelportland.com
1-888-503-3291 (toll free)
503-427-1372
Monday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Portland Visitor Center

1132 SW Harvey Milk St #104,
Portland, OR 97205

Monday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

an image of Portland surrounded by a purple frame and the words "Portland your official guide to the city"

Free Visitor Guide

100 pages of tips, must-sees and more.

Get the guide

Screenshot of hand holding mobile phone with Near Me Now Map on the screen

Near Me Now App

An app to explore Portland like a local.




Newsletter Signup

Get your guide to Portland's events, attractions and news.

Follow Us

  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Information For

Local Businesses
Media
Meeting Planners
Travel Industry Professionals
Event Organizers

Brought to you by

Travel Portland Logo

We are a promoter and steward of this evolving city and its progressive values, which have the power to transform the travelers who visit us.

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Español
  • Français
  • Deutsch
  • 日本語
  • 汉语
  • 漢語
  • 한국어
Copyright © 2025 Travel Portland
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Copyright Policy
Visit The USA Logo