Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a canyon that extends 80 miles through the Cascade Range, separating Washington and Oregon states. The rock walls rise up to 4000 feet (1200 meters) above the riverbed on both sides, forming a natural corridor between mountain ranges.

Indigenous tribes established fishing sites here over thirteen thousand years ago and used them for generations. Celilo Falls formed an important gathering place for trade and fishing until a dam flooded it in the 20th century.

The name comes from the period when William Robert Broughton named the river after his ship Columbia Rediviva in 1792. Today you can see rock drawings made by indigenous peoples along the canyon walls and places where salmon have been caught for centuries.

Visiting is possible throughout the year, though autumn and spring offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Many viewpoints and trails sit directly along the main roads and are accessible even for less experienced hikers.

More than ninety waterfalls sit on the Oregon side, with some visible directly from the road. Multnomah Falls ranks among the tallest waterfalls in the continental United States with its 620-foot (190-meter) drop.

Location: Multnomah County

Location: Hood River County

Location: Wasco County

Location: Klickitat County

Location: Skamania County

Location: Clark County

Website: http://fs.fed.us/r6/columbia

GPS coordinates: 45.70472,-121.79167

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:51