Welcome to the country's first planned scenic roadway, the Historic Columbia River Highway! The 75-mile road has a laundry list of special awards and designations: It's a Scenic Byway, an All-American Road, a National Historic Landmark, and even a Civil Engineering Landmark, all rolled into one epic route. Of course, all of those titles come with the territory... it really is one of the most incredible drives in the country.
Originally built between 1913-1922, the roads were specifically constructed to highlight the natural beauty along the Columbia River and to blend in seamlessly with the landscape. The highway attracted early car-owners in their Model Ts, and it has been a major draw for roadtrippers ever since.
1228 Junipero Ave, Redwood City, California 94061-2121 USA
From Medford - Route 62 north and then east. From Klamath Falls - Route 97 north to Route 62 north and then west., OR, US
gotta see this
Hood River, Oregon, United States
For a more adventurous side-trip on your cruise down the Columbia River Highway, take some time to hike Oneonta Gorge. The trail takes you into the bottom of a lush, green canyon with a creek in the bottom, and waterfalls lining the walls. It's about as
Just fair warning-- if you do plan on hiking through the enchanting gorge, be prepared to get wet; at times the stream itself is the actual trail, taking you past enormous basalt walls covered in emerald green moss and bubbling, sparkling waterfalls. The lower gorge is a protected habitat for the rare lichens and ferns and wildlife, hence the need to walk upstream through the creek. There are four major waterfalls along the gorge (Upper Oneonta Falls, Middle Oneonta Falls, Lower Oneonta Falls and the triple falls), so the hike, which at times can be through chest-deep water, is totally worth it. If you'd rather not get wet while exploring Oneonta, don't sweat-- there are also trails and observation decks and bridges on dry land through other parts of the verdant gorge, so people of all hiking skill levels can experience it for themselves.
One of the main features of the highway is that there are dozens (77 on the Oregon side alone) of waterfalls along the way, some even lining the road; You don't even have to pull off the route to see them. However, Multnomah Falls is iconic. The two tiers of the falls are straddled by an utterly charming footbridge, which offers a totally different look at the dual drops.
Start off your trip with a breathtaking overlook and some gorgeous architecture at the Vista House at Crown Point. It's a 1917-era rest stop with a few little historic exhibits in the basement and an observation deck up top with a totally unforgettable view. Bring along a camera and take a few photos of the building and the scenery!
Tukwila, Washington, United States
get here by evening to get ready for eclipse. boondock at judi and micky's
Talent, Oregon, United States
1228 Junipero Ave, Redwood City, California United States
After your road trip along the Columbia River Highway, you'll see why it claimed the honor of being the first scenic route... it's still hard to find any highway or byway that can top it! From the waterfalls along the road to the charming towns that have cropped up along the way, it's a truly special place.
