Historic Columbia River Highway
Historic Columbia River Highway Overview

Words fail many travelers who drive the exquisite Historic Columbia River Highway. Every twist and turn brings a new reward, from majestic waterfalls such as Bridal Veil Falls and Multnomah Falls, to astounding views from the tops of cliffs over 900 feet above the river. During the spring, the gorge area erupts into magnificent wildflower displays, including many plants that only exist in this area. Oneonta Gorge is a botanical treasure that has over 50 different species of plants residing in its perpetually cool and moist shelter.

This is the first scenic highway in America to gain the distinction of National Historic Landmark. Just to give you an idea of what this means, less than three percent of the sites on the National Register of Historic Places become landmarks. The construction of this highway was considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the modern age. Its engineer, Samuel C. Lancaster, "did not [want] to mar what God had put there." It was designed in 1913 to take advantage of the many waterfalls and other "beauty spots." The Hood River County museum is one of the best places to better understand the history of the byway, leading visitors through the time of the earliest settlers of the area to the present.

While you are relaxing after a day of whitewater rafting at the Dalles, take a break in town and see the town's 19th Century churches and homes. Drive further inland to where Ainsworth State Park lies nestled in the Columbia River Gorge, filled with waterfalls, trails and plenty of areas to set down camping gear to make a day of it. Or visit the windsurfing capital of the world at Hood River, and take in the fantastic views of the Columbia River and Mt. Hood while you're there.

For decades the Historic Columbia River Highway has been a favored stop for travelers of all kinds, with its variety of activities and gorgeous scenery. From cascading waterfalls to deep gorges, this historic highway will be a road you will want to travel again and again.

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Other Stories

  • "King of Roads"--History of the Historic Columbia River Highway

    Take a drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway, a winding road amidst lush green trees and cascading waterfalls, and you’ll be at a loss for words. The explosion of color and sound is a sensory feast and a wonder to behold. But the intrigue of the highway doesn’t stop there. Along with its unquestionable beauty, the Historic Columbia River Highway also boasts remarkable history.

  • Hood River: The Windsurfing Capital of the World

    With winds sculpted by the Columbia River Gorge and currents from the Columbia River, windsurfers around the world recognize Hood River, Oregon as their capital city. Nestled in the shadow of Mount Hood along the Historic Columbia River Highway, at the north end of the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway, this city is the ideal location for surfers of all ages and abilities.

  • Biking the Historic Columbia River Highway

    Before the Interstate Highway System carved its wide lanes across the country, the Historic Columbia River Highway in northern Oregon took travelers past some of the most breathtaking, serene, and magnificent sights the Columbia River Gorge had to offer. The Gorge, an 80-mile long, over 700-foot deep playground for windsurfers, white-water rafters, and hikers from all over world, also happens to be one of the nation’s premier road biking destinations.

  • Pacific Crest Trail

    It's a unique vacation that begins in a Mexican desert at its hottest and ends smack-dab in the middle of a Canadian winter, but those who travel the Pacific Crest Trail take pride in their uniqueness. A thru-hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail learns a new reckoning for time, distance, and even neglected hygiene while making the 2,650-mile journey through twenty-four national parks, thirty-three wildernesses, and six out of the seven climate zones in North America. The word "epic" gets thrown around a lot these days, but the Pacific Crest Trail earns the distinction.