Historic Columbia River Highway

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Tour along lookout points and waterfalls along the magnificent Columbia River Gorge.

A.

Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint

NE Rooster Rock Road
Corbett, Oregon

Driving along the Historic Columbia Rive rHighway and the fist stop already bring you to one of Oregon's most scenic shots. From the Women's Forum you have a spectacular view East up the Columbia River Gorge towards Crown Point (the usual next or previous stop on this tour). The place got it's name when the Portland Women's Forum bought the property in 1930 and donated to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department after the Chanticleer. At the lookout you also find a tribute to Samuel Hill, a big supporter if the Columbia River Highway. It was errected in the 1930s.

B.

Crown Point Vista House

40700 E Historic Columbia River Hwy
Corbett, Oregon

Just as the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom, the Vista House serves as the symbol of the Columbia River Gorge. In fact, the architect of the Vista House -- Edgar Lazarus -- and Emma Lazarus (who wrote the poem of the Statue of Liberty), were brother and sister.
Millions of visitors driving from from Portland through the Columbia River Gorge don't realize the full impact of its beauty until they come around the bend near Corbett at exit 22 and see the famous building on the top of the cliff to the right. This is Crown Point and the building is the Vista House.
The Vista House was built in 1916 at the same time as Highway 30 (what is now the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway, and the only way to reach Crown Point). The building was designed to be a place of refreshment and enjoyment of the Columbia Gorge. The octagonal building with its copper dome now houses a museum, gift shop and interpretive display of historic and geologic points of interest in the Gorge (the building is open from March-October).

Crown Point offers picnicking, historic buildings, a museum, historic and interpretive displays, interpretive displays, and opportunities for viewing scenery.

C.

Multnomah Falls

Exit 31 off I-84 or Exit 17 Hwy 30
Corbett, Oregon

Multnomah Falls is arguably "the grandaddy" of the 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. At 620 feet, only three falls in the nation are higher, and none are more beautiful. It attracts large crowds on summer weekends, so plan accordingly. A trail from famous Multnomah Falls Lodge (1925) climbs to the Simon Benson Bridge across the lower cascade, then zigzags to the top.

D.

Mosier Twin Tunnels

Historic Columbia River Hwy.
Mosier, Oregon

A particular pride and joy to its visitors is taken witht reopening of the 4.6 mile Historic Columbia River Hwy State Trail,m open to pedestrians and bicyclists and linking two trail heads and two nerby communityies the Mark O. Hatfield East Trailhead out

E.

Rowena Crest Viewpoint / Mayer State Park

US Hwy 30
Rowena, Oregon

The more eastern version of the Crown Point Overlook is the Rowena Crest Viewpoint at Mayer State Park. It offers a great view over the Columbia River and on a clear day you can see how the landscape dramatically changes further east when the dry high desert of Eastern Oregon begins.

F.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

5000 Discovery Drive
The Dalles, Oregon

The splendor of the Columbia River Gorge comes to life in this world class facility. Your visit will take you back 40 million years to when fiery volcanoes, massive land slides and raging floods created the geologic splendor of the gorge.