SCENIC DRIVES

Do you want to see some sights but stay close to the car? By using a combination of state, county and forest roads, one can enjoy the awesome and beautiful scenery found in the Columbia River Gorge and the surrounding area. For a better look at the region and breathtaking countryside, try one of these scenic tours. Drive times are dependent upon sight-seeing and traffic.

Don’t feel like driving? Help protect the Gorge by using car-free options or guided tours. Sit back, relax, and avoid parking hassles. Check out the GORGE PASS which is valid on the four transit systems in the Gorge: CAT, The Link, MATS, and Skamania County Transit. gorgepass.com

For assistance on your next scenic drive, refer to the Columbia River Gorge map, click here.

NOTE: NEW PERMIT INFORMATION 2024
A $2 timed use permit is needed to visit Multnomah Falls when you park on the freeway at Exit 31 and walk in.
For more information: recreation.gov and waterfallcorridorpermits.org
NEW: IF parking at the lot across from the lodge on the historic highway there is a fee year-round.
For fee schedule: sasquatchshuttle.com/sasquatch-parking-lots
WE ENCOURAGE USING A TOUR BUS TO AVOID PARKING HASSLES
For a list of shuttles see guided tours.

NOTE: Drive times listed below are dependent upon sight-seeing and traffic.

WASHINGTON

Mt. St. Helens
Drive time: 2.5 hours

The quickest way to see Mt. St. Helens is via the Carson route. Follow Hwy 14 to Carson, head north on Hwy 30 (Wind River Highway). Just beyond the Carson National Fish Hatchery, turn right towards the Wind River Recreation Area. At the top of Oldman Pass, turn left at FS 51 Curly Creek, look for the McClellan Viewpoint for an outstanding distant view of the mountain. Continue on FS 90, head north on FS 25, and left on FS 99 which will take you to Windy Ridge and Spirit Lake, offering amazingly close views of this spectacular volcano.
NOTE: This scenic drive from Carson to Windy Ridge is 2.5 hours. This route is seasonal and closed during the winter.

Mt. Adams Country Tour
Drive time: 2 hours

Take Hwy 141 from Bingen, Washington to BZ Corners and head east on The Goldendale/Glenwood Road towards Glenwood. Continue west towards Trout Lake returning to Hwy 141 south to Hwy 14. This is a two hour trip with spectacular views of Mt. Adams.

Klickitat River Trail
Drive time: 2 hours

Explore this two-hour adventure on the wild and scenic Klickitat River north of Lyle on Hwy 142, then continue to Goldendale. Travel south on Hwy 97 returning to Hwy 14, then head west back to Lyle.

Highway 14 West Loop
Drive time: 1.5 hours

Running beside the Columbia River through the entire county, State Route 14 is a Scenic Byway known as the Lewis and Clark Trail. Although it stretches from the Idaho border to the Pacific Ocean, the route’s 47-mile traverse through Skamania County is often called its most scenic section. The highway crosses the Cascade Mountains near sea level, allowing year-round transit and easy access to four seasons of outdoor beauty and activity. Starting in Stevenson, travel west on State Route 14 passing by Bridge of the Gods, Bonneville Dam and Beacon Rock. Make sure to pull off on top of Cape Horn for the majestic view looking east down the Columbia River. End your trip in Washougal and Camas and back track east to Stevenson via State Route 14.

OREGON

Historic Columbia River Highway
Drive time: 1-2 hours

This is one of Oregon’s favorite scenic drives. Traveling along the historic highway you will be able to view waterfalls and amazing Gorge scenery. Follow the signs through the charming town of Troutdale and over the Sandy River to the Historic Columbia River Highway. The road follows the Sandy River, then climbs past orchards through the communities of Springdale and Corbett, offering views of Mt. Hood. At the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic overlook, you will see a jaw-dropping view of the Columbia River and the Cascade Mountains. The Vista House is the next stop at Crown Point, a must-see rest area. A 12-mile section of the Historic Highway is open to John Yeon State Park.

NOTE: NEW PERMIT INFORMATION 2024
A $2 time used permit is needed to visit Multnomah Falls when you park on the freeway at Exit 31 and walk in.
For more information: recreation.gov and waterfallcorridorpermits.org
NEW: IF parking at the lot across from the lodge on the historic highway, there is a year-round fee.
For fee schedule: sasquatchshuttle.com/sasquatch-parking-lots
WE ENCOURAGE USING A TOUR BUS TO AVOID PARKING HASSLES
For a list of shuttles see guided tours.

Larch Mountain Viewpoint
Drive time: 1.5 hours from Larch Mountain Road

Travel along the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Corbett, until you see a fork in the road with a sign for Larch Mountain on the right. If you get to Vista House you have gone too far. The drive up Larch Mountain is 14 miles from the highway. Once there, a short trail leads from a picnic area to a panoramic viewpoint. From this 4,000-foot-high extinct volcano, visitors enjoy a sweeping view of the Columbia River Gorge and many of the major peaks including Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Jefferson.
NOTE: NW Forest Pass required to park at viewpoint. The road to the summit is closed in the winter.

Rowena Crest Lookout Drive
Drive time: 30 minutes from Mosier

From the town of Mosier, continue east along the Historic Columbia River Highway climbing gradually for seven miles to the top of Rowena Crest Lookout. The scenery will take your breath away from this popular viewpoint. Continue down the long winding road known as the Rowena Loops, to the town of The Dalles.

Hood River Fruit Loop
Drive time: Varies

This 35-mile scenic drive known as the Fruit Loop has something for everyone. As you drive along the Loop past gorgeous pear, cherry, apple, nectarine and peach orchards, you’ll find farm stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, alpaca ranches, lavender farms, plus great jams, jellies, pies, wines, beer and more. Visit 29 unique attractions as you travel the scenic Hood River Valley with outstanding views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.
NOTE: Maps for this route are available at Hood River Chamber visitor center or online at www.hoodriverfruitloop.com.

Historic Desert Loop
Drive time: 2.5 hours

Escape the rain by heading to the southeastern section of Wasco County. From The Dalles, head straight on Hwy 197 towards Maupin and Dufur. Travel through the farmlands and wheat fields and visit the ghost town of Shaniko. When you reach Hwy 97, head north through Shaniko and Moro to connect back to Interstate 84 at Biggs. Return via I-84 to The Dalles.

Mt. Hood Scenic Byway
Drive time: 2-3 hours

This is a day trip that is absolutely worth your time! Loop around 11,245 foot Mt. Hood and take in the countless panoramic viewpoints and natural wonders along the way. The Mt. Hood Scenic Byway takes visitors on a majestic route around the edge of this iconic landmark, being exposed to some of the state’s most stunning scenery and sought after recreation destinations. From Hood River travel south on Hwy 35 and from Gresham travel west on Hwy 26. You can venture back on Hwy 14 on the Washington side of the Columbia River or I-84 in Oregon.

West Cascades Scenic Byway
Drive time: 4-6 hours

Leaving Estacada, this scenic drive follows the Clackamas River for the next several miles and you will enter the Mt. Hood National Forest, where you will find many opportunities for hiking and picnicking. The West Cascades mountain range bursts with lush old-growth forest scenery, mountain lakes and rushing rivers. This is a bike-friendly route as it doubles as the Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway between Estacada and Detroit.

TWO STATES

Two States Bridge Tour
Drive time: 2-3.5 hours

Travel on both sides of the river and experience the majestic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge in both Washington and Oregon. A scenic drive on Interstate 84 on the Oregon side to Hwy 14 on the Washington side will take you on a beautiful tour along the Columbia River. You will have options to cross the Hood River Bridge, The Dalles Bridge, the Biggs Bridge or the Bridge of the Gods. Views of Mt. Hood, Dog Mountain, Drano Lake and Coyote Wall are sites along the way.

Help protect the Gorge by using car-free options or guided tours. Sit back, relax, and avoid parking hassles. Check out the GORGE PASS which is valid on the four transit systems in the Gorge: CAT, The Link, MATS, and Skamania County Transit. gorgepass.com

For more information, go to the following websites:
columbiagorgecarfree.com  •  readysetgorge.com  •  gorgetranslink.com  •  gorgepass.com