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The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting through the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington and Oregon. The gorge is 80 miles long and its canyon walls reach 4,000 feet as it skirts the Oregon-Washington border.
The Columbia River Gorge is more than a natural and historic wonder; the river is a critical transportation corridor and is home to 75,000 people.
The 292,500-acre region was designated a scenic area in 1986. The act does not create a wilderness or park. Instead, it protects the existing rural and scenic features while encouraging compatible growth and development within urban areas.
The USDA Forest Service, a bi-state regional planning agency (the Columbia River Gorge Commission), the states of Oregon and Washington, native American tribes and the six counties with land in the scenic area jointly regulate the region.
Ancestors of today's Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla and Nez Perce tribal nations lived and fished along the river's banks. Tribes from all over western North America would come to this area to trade for dried, smoked salmon.
The U.S. government and the local tribes signed a treaty in 1855. The tribes retained their historic fishing rights, while losing their land. It is still possible to see American Indians fishing from platforms with dip nets in the tradition of long ago. In addition, it is still possible to see ancient petroglyphs and pictographs on stone walls
Visitor centers are located at 1131 S.W. Skamania Lodge Way in Stevenson, Wash., and at Multnomah Falls Lodge off Interstate 84 or on the Historic Columbia River Highway on Oregon Hwy. 30. The Gorge Discovery Center, the scenic area's official interpretive center, is located in The Dalles.
On land, there are more than 200 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, nature viewing, picnicking, rock climbing and other uses. Designated wilderness areas are closed to biking.
A Northwest Forest Pass is needed to park at certain trailheads on national forest land, and some state parks within the area charge entry fees.
In the water, visitors enjoy spectacular windsurfing, fishing, boating and more.
Outdoor Activities |
Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-around waterfall in the United States.
Tsagaglalal - She Who Watches - is evidence of ancient civilizations that once thrived along the banks of the Columbia River.
See the mighty Columbia River.
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