Oregon Scenic Drive: Historic Columbia River Highway

The Historic Columbia River Highway is exquisite: Drive through the Columbia River Gorge for nearly 50 miles, and sweep past majestic waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. This byway also travels through a spectacular river canyon that you can often view from the tops of cliffs more than 900 feet above the river. During the spring, you experience magnificent wildflower displays, including many plants that exist only in this area.

This is the first scenic highway in the United States to gain the distinction of National Historic Landmark. (To give you an idea of what this means, less than 3 percent of the sites on the National Register of Historic Places become landmarks.)

The Historic Columbia River Highway's construction was considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the modern age. Its engineer, Samuel C. Lancaster, tried not to mar the existing landscape. It was designed from 1913 to 1914 to take advantage of the area's many waterfalls and other beautiful spots.

Make sure to travel the well-known western section of the byway from Troutdale to Dodson and the less-traveled eastern section from Mosier to The Dalles. The difference in vegetation zones and views is amazing.

Historical Qualities of the

Columbia River Highway

The Historic Columbia River Highway has many nationally significant historic features on the National Register of Historic Places -- one of which is the highway itself.

It is also a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark that includes 23 unique bridges. The historic district includes not only the highway, but also the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, Crown Point and Vista House, Multnomah Falls Lodge and Recreation Site, Eagle Creek Recreation Area, and several other waterfall areas.

Natural Qualities of the

Historic Columbia River Highway

The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon, 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range. The gorge includes 16 endemic plant species (those that exist only within the gorge) and more than 150 rare plant species. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, Snake River salmon, and Larch Mountain salamanders also reside here. Wildflower tours of this route are common in the spring.

Recreational Qualities of the Columbia River Highway

Recreational facilities in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are also of national significance, including the three major highways (Historic Columbia River Highway, I-84, and Washington State Route 14) that are used extensively for pleasure driving. The highways provide access to many hiking trails, windsurfing sites, and the Mount Hood Railroad, a scenic and historic passenger and freight route up the Hood River Valley.

Find more useful information related to Oregon's Historic Columbia River Highway:

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Historic Columbia River Highway Information

Length: 70 miles

Time to allow: Three to five hours

States it runs through: Oregon

Cities it runs through: Troutdale, Cascade Locks, The Dalles

Considerations: Midweek sees the fewest crowds along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Fall has the best weather; spring provides the best time to view the waterfalls. Some attractions are closed in the winter. Also, the byway is narrow and winding, so you may want to consider traveling in a car instead of an RV.

Highlights of the Historic Columbia River Highway

The Historic Columbia River Highway leaves the Sandy River and climbs to the top of the cliffs, offering spectacular views of the landscape. The byway was designed to take advantage of the many waterfalls and other attractive sites along the route.

The corridor contains some of the most dramatic views available anywhere in the country, including the Columbia River, with basalt cliffs and canyon walls; Multnomah Falls, a 620-foot, two-tiered waterfall that is the most visited natural attraction in the state of Oregon; the largest aggregation of high waterfalls outside of Yosemite, including Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Wahkeena Falls, plus numerous small falls; and giant basalt cliffs and monoliths, including Beacon Rock, Rooster Rock, Crown Point (a National Natural Landmark), and Oneonta Bluff.

Begin your must-see 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.

Sandy River: The first stop along the tour is Sandy River. An old iron bridge crosses the river at this point. You can even take a side trip to the north to visit Lewis and Clark Park, but be sure to return to the byway to continue your journey east.

Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint: If you want a stunning scenic vista, you must stop at Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint. It is located about ten minutes from Troutdale.

Crown Point and Vista House: Crown Point and historic Vista House are next, about a mile farther east. Take a stroll around the point (carefully -- the road curves around the building here), and enjoy yet another wonderful view of the river and the Columbia River Gorge.

Multnomah Falls: Scattered throughout the next few miles are many waterfalls, each with its own history and qualities. Latourell Falls, Shepherd's Dell, Wahkeena Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls each whet your appetite for the most visited waterfall on the byway: Multnomah Falls. This beautiful double-cascade falls more than 620 feet. Stop and take the hike up to the bridge crossing the waterfall for an up-close view.

Oneonta Gorge: Back on the highway, you shortly encounter Oneonta Gorge. This narrow canyon and its associated stream are a cool, dark, and shady hike. To enjoy it fully, follow the path to the river crossing, take off your shoes, and wade in the chilly stream.

Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks: Continuing east, you rejoin the interstate for a while. The Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks connects Oregon to Washington.

Hood River: The city of 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.

State Trail: Take time to leave your car and to walk a 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.

Memaloose Overlook: As you leave the rain forest 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.

Gorge Discovery Center : 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.

The Dalles: 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.

What could be better than traveling along a historic landmark that is also naturally breathtaking? The Historic Columbia River Highway has it all.

Find more useful information related to Oregon's Historic Columbia River Highway:

Oregon Scenic Drives: Historic Columbia River Highway is just one of the scenic byways in Oregon. Check out the others.
How to Drive Economically: Fuel economy is a major concern when you're on a driving trip. Learn how to get better gas mileage.