When visiting Portland, Oregon earlier this summer, I wanted to see the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area – an area I had only heard of and wanted to learn more about.

To see the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area we traveled 30 minutes east of Portland to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Constructed between 1913 and 1922, the Historic Columbia River Highway was designed to allow travelers to see the scenic sights of the Gorge and is considered to be America’s first scenic highway. The area includes various stops for waterfalls, vistas, and hiking trails.

Here is the itinerary I planned along the highway to see the highlights of the region.

Note: You will need a car for this tour. I do recommend doing these locations in the order listed below, otherwise you will end up having to go back and forth on I-84 to get to the correct exits.

Stop 1: Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is the most iconic viewpoint in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. It is a stunning, dramatic waterfall that has two levels you can easily walk to (and other areas you can access if you want to hike further up). Multnomah Falls is worth the hype and is easily one of the most impressive waterfalls I have ever seen.

In addition to the falls, there is a visitor center, snack bar, gift shop, and restrooms.

As this is a popular site, you do need to book timed use parking ahead of time. There is a small parking lot along the Historic Columbia River Highway, but the larger parking lot that the timed parking is for is for the larger lot off I-84. I would advise going to the larger parking lot as the smaller one is often full. Here is where to make the parking reservation ($2).

Stop 2: Bridal Veil Falls

Our next step was at Bridal Veil Falls. After parking, there is a sign that explains the two short hikes you can take in the area: the Bridal Veil Falls Trail and the Overlook Loop Trail. 

The Bridal Veil Falls Trail is a ⅔ mile round trip hike that leads to the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls. Bridal Veil Falls is a two tiered waterfall that you can admire from a lookout point.

The Overlook Loop Trail is a half mile round trip walk that consists of a few viewpoints of the Columbia River.

We did both hikes in about an hour’s time.

Stop 3: Latourell Falls 

Latourell Falls is another great quick waterfall to check out as it is an easy walk from the parking lot to the falls. Latourell Falls is unique in that it drops straight down from a cliff rather than tumbling.

Stop 4: Vista House at Crown Point

The Vista House is a historic building built in 1917 as an observatory and comfort station for travelers on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Sitting 733 feet above the Columbia River, it offers sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area.

While the Vista House itself was not open when we visited, it is common to visit the area to take in the views from the parking area.

Stop 5: Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint

The Portland Women’s Forum was a group of women in the 1940s who wanted to save this viewpoint from private development so it could be shared with gorge visitors. They raised funds to buy the viewpoint and later gifted it to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. There is a plaque dedicated to these women at the site, and it makes for a wonderful place to look out on the Columbia River and Vista House in the distance.

Would you visit the Columbia River Gorge? Which stop sounds most interesting to you?