the mouth of the Sandy River to the mouth of the Deschutes and spanning Southern Washington and
Northern Oregon. The Gorge is unique in its natural and cultural history, and truly has something for
everyone. Come discover scenic natural beauty, world-class accomodations, and year-round recreation.
Plan your trip to Columbia River Gorge today!
to reach the Pacific in 1805. Steamboat lines and railroads were
subsequently established in the gorge by early European and
American settlers, and in the early twentieth century, the scenic
Columbia River Highway became the first major paved highway
in the Pacific Northwest. All of this and much more is explained
in detail at the interpretive centers in The Dalles and Stevenson,
as well as historical museums in communities throughout the
Columbia River Gorge.
When Congress first established the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in 1986, it recognized two main goals: preservation of the natural environment and the enhancement of
the local economy. Since that time, scenic area managers and
local communities have worked to find a
balance between these two disparate yet