Columbia River Gorge (Oregon)

An image of trees, a river, and a mountain in the background.
An image of a person looking out along the forest and mountains.
An image of water with trees in the foreground.

Please note:

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Due to the 2017 wildfire that ravaged the area, some trails are permanently closed or have been altered since my previous visits.

Weather can be volatile in this area, so trails are also subject to temporary closure at any time. Check ahead before setting out.

While the Gorge is known mainly to tourists for its waterfalls, there is also so much more to this area to explore if you're looking to dive into the rich history not just of the landscape but the people who helped carve their place in this beautiful terrain.
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  • The Columbia River Gorge is a 4,000 foot tall (in some places) canyon that stretches across the border of Oregon and Washington for over 80 miles.
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  • This pacific northwest playland can be accessed driving east on I-84 from Portland.
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  • From I-84 in Troutdale you can then also access the Historic Columbia River Highway (HWY 30) which stretches 75 miles all the way to The Dalles.
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  • Oregon is said to be home to almost 240 waterfalls and 90 of those can be found on the Oregon side of the Gorge.

Fee & Permit info:

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The gorge utilizes a fee and permit system during the busy part of the year for certain waterfalls.

Check the Columbia River Gorge Forest Service page for the most up-to-date info when planning your visit.

Curated blogs related to the Oregon side of the Gorge

Latourell FallsMultnomah FallsShepperd's Dell
Wahkeena FallsBridal Veil FallsVista House
Eagle Creek Wildfire of 2017The Proposal