Scenic drive

Historic Columbia River Highway

America’s first planned scenic highway, past waterfalls and viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge.

Oregon
110 km
2 min read

Photo: Khamar · CC BY-SA 3.0

Distance: 110 km · 68 mi
Difficulty: Easy
Time needed: Half a day to a full day
Best season: All year; spring for waterfalls and wildflowers, fall for color

Historic Columbia River Highway guide: Vista House at Crown Point, Multnomah Falls, the waterfall corridor, Hood River, the Rowena Loops, permits, parking and the best season.

Overview

Built between 1913 and 1922, the Historic Columbia River Highway was the first planned scenic highway in the United States and is now a National Historic Landmark. Its engineer, Samuel Lancaster, designed it to show off the Columbia River Gorge, with stone walls, arched bridges and gentle curves suited to early cars.

From Troutdale, east of Portland, the road climbs to Vista House at Crown Point, an octagonal stone building high above the river. It then drops into a corridor of waterfalls: Latourell, Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls, at 189 meters the tallest in Oregon. The busiest stops can fill early or need timed permits in summer, so check before you go.

East of the waterfalls, Interstate 84 has replaced much of the old road, but restored sections in the drier eastern gorge are open to cars, including the Rowena Loops, hairpin curves above the river near Mosier. Hood River, a windsurfing and kiteboarding capital surrounded by orchards and wineries, makes a good base.

Columbia River Highway: stops along the way

1

Troutdale

The western gateway, about 25 minutes from Portland, with an old main street.
2

Vista House at Crown Point

A stone rotunda from 1918 with a sweeping view up the gorge.
3

Multnomah Falls

A two-tiered waterfall with a footbridge between the drops.
4

Hood River

Windsurfing, orchards along the Fruit Loop and good restaurants.
5

Rowena Crest

Hairpin loops and a plateau covered in wildflowers in spring, with views over the river.

Good to know

Check whether a timed permit is needed for the waterfall corridor in summer.
Visit Multnomah Falls early in the morning or on a weekday.
Wildfire damage and rockfall close sections from time to time; check ODOT TripCheck before you leave.

Road rules along the way

Laws change at each state line.

Oregon

Top speed limit: 70 mph (113 km/h)
Phone while driving: Hand-held phones banned

All Oregon driving laws

Checked Oct 25, 2026; posted signs take priority.

Fuel, rest areas and charging

Counted along 103 km (64 mi) of road.

Gas stations: 17
Rest areas: 2
Fast chargers: 6
Longest stretch without gas: 48 km · 30 mi

Where to fill up

Never more than 48 km (30 mi) between gas stations.

Leg by leg

Leg	Distance	Gas stations	Fast chargers	Rest areas
Troutdale → Vista House at Crown Point	15 km	8	2	0
Vista House at Crown Point → Multnomah Falls	14 km	0	0	0
Multnomah Falls → Hood River	54 km	6	4	1
Hood River → Rowena Crest	21 km	3	0	1