COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Two States, Three Volcanoes & One Big River — Oregon & Washington’s Playground™
Up to 4,000 feet deep, the Columbia River Gorge stretches for more than 80 miles as the Columbia River winds westward through the Cascade Range, forming the boundary between the State of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south. Three volcanoes dominate the Cascades and are major attractions when visiting the Gorge. Majestic Mt. Hood is the highest point in Oregon. It is one of the three dormant volcanoes in this region, with Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens located across the river in Washington state.
The western Gorge, with an average annual rainfall of 75 inches, is lush and green with misty mountains, old growth forest and over 40 plus waterfalls. The eastern Gorge, with an annual rainfall of less than 15 inches, is a region of rocky bluffs, rolling hills, desert wildflowers and wide open spaces.
Just taking a drive through the Columbia River Gorge and exploring the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway is an experience in itself, as you will be in awe of the spectacular geological wonders.
The Columbia River Gorge
is the largest national scenic area
in the United States.
In 1986, a group of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts organized a campaign to preserve the Columbia River Gorge’s scenic beauty by successfully encouraging Congress to pass the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act. The purpose of the act is to protect and provide for the enhancement of scenic, cultural, recreational and natural resources of the Gorge— and to protect and support the economy of the Gorge by encouraging growth to occur in existing areas and by allowing future economic development outside these areas if it is compatible with Gorge resources.
The Scenic Area stretches 85 miles and begins in western Oregon, spanning from Troutdale to the Deschutes River and in western Washington from Washougal to Wishram. With 75,000 people calling this area home, two million tourists visit each year. Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood territories, Mt. St. Helens Area, Deschutes River Valley and Goldendale are all outside the scenic area boundaries but are all considered popular tourist attractions when visiting the Columbia River Gorge.
Mt. Hood, Oregon | 11,245 ft.
Mt. St. Helens, Washington | 8,364 ft.
Mt. Adams, Washington | 12,326 ft.
THE REGION’S THREE VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS ARE A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT TO BEHOLD.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR LEGENDS AND HISTORY.
Blog Posts
Sacagawea
Sacagawea was an interpreter and guide for Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's expedition westward from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. Sacagawea helped Lewis and Clark find their route to the Pacific Ocean. She then arranged an agreement with the Shoshoni tribe to borrow horses. Lewis & Clark, and Sacagawea needed more horses, so the Shoshoni gave them 29 horses. The next route they were going to take was the Columbia River which required moving their boats in addition to their horses. Going through the Columbia River would help them reach their goal to get to the Pacific [...]
Food Trucks in the Gorge
Who doesn’t love a food truck? The Columbia River Gorge offers fresh, fast and flavorful dining experiences from over 100 food trucks in the Gorge. Located in several small towns, starting in Troutdale, Oregon and going all the way northeast up to Goldendale, Washington. With such an active lifestyle in the Gorge, it makes perfect sense to have food trucks everywhere, so you can grab lunch and get back on the road as you head to your favorite activity or destination. A bit of history: Food trucks started back as early as the [...]