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Family Travel › Western Region › Oregon › Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

East of Portland, between Troutdale and The Dalles, Oregon

Called the king of roads, this expansive thoroughfare travels east-west through the Columbia River Gorge. Built between 1913 and 1922, this road was America's first scenic highway and was also the first modern highway in the Pacific Northwest. Running along the south side of the Columbia River, it was designed to be in harmony with nature. Since the mid-1980s more than 10 miles of abandoned highway have been restored as pedestrian and bicycle paths known as the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. You pass between two climate zones in the Twin Tunnels portion of the trail, between Hood River and Mosier. Leaving the car allows you to take a more leisurely look at the Ponderosa pine, moss-covered rocks, ferns, and wildflowers. The gorge itself is among the most awe-inspiring sights in the United States. Open year-round. Day-use admission charged per vehicle.

www.oregonstateparks.org/park_155.php

(800) 551-6949

From Off the Beaten Path