The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to 4,000 feet deep, the canyon stretches for over eighty miles as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range, forming the boundary between the state of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south.
The Columbia River gorge is a spectacular river canyon, 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, that meanders past cliffs, spires, and ridges set against nearby peaks of the PNW’s Cascade Mountain Range.
Known as the showplace of the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls is located 30 miles east of Portland, along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The 620-foot waterfall, which is Oregon’s tallest, is framed by historic Benson Bridge, which dates back to 1914. Accessible parking is available off of Highway 84, in the remote lot, with paved access over to the waterfall area. The path to the lower overlook is paved, but some manual wheelchair-users may require a bit of assistance with the grade. The trek to the top of the falls is not accessible, due to stairs and a steep grade, but the view from the lower viewing area is spectacular. Try to hit this one early in the day, as it’s very popular, and parking may be unavailable later in the afternoon.
Bring your sense of adventure because the Gorge is made for exploring. Walk along a waterfront, discover hidden waterfalls, follow the wildflowers at Rowena Crest or challenge yourself with a trek up Dog Mountain. Cycle the roads around The Dalles or in the Post Canyon mountain bike network. And it’s hard to resist water sports on the Columbia, especially when Hood River is known as the windsurfing capital of the world.
But the Columbia River Gorge isn’t just spectacular scenery. There’s plenty of hand-crafted beer and farm-fresh dining too. Thanks to its unique geography, the Gorge boasts a world of wine — from pinot noir and chardonnay in the cool western hills, to tempranillo and syrah in the drier, sunnier east.
