Government Camp, Oregon

This hike starts at the Starvation Creek Rest Area. After parking, head west back along the shoulder of the freeway, where you’ll see a wooden sign stating “Mt. Defiance Trail.” Continue heading west along the abandoned Columbia River Highway. Keep going west as you pass the junction with the Sta...

Starvation Creek Falls is an impressive 190 ft. waterfall just a few feet from the parking lot. If you don't know it's there, you'll miss it. Keep walking past the restrooms, away from the trail head to see this beautiful two-tiered waterfall. There are a couple of picnic tables near the creek to...

The trailhead for this short hike is right off of the Columbia River Highway just west of Multnomah Falls. You can't miss the parking lot for it; there is a sign for Bridal Veil and the parking lot is visible from the road. The hike is only 0.6 miles and has hardly any elevation gain (70 feet). ...

The Dog Mountain trailhead is located halfway between Stevenson and Bingen. Look for the big signed parking area just after milepost 53 (Eastbound). The parking lot fills up quickly, especially during peak wildflower season, so if you can go on a weekday that would be better. There are 3 trails ...

If you know the Columbia Gorge, you know Dog Mountain. It's the ever-rewarding, incredibly challenging, insanely popular, calf-burning 6.5-mile hike that attracts hundreds of people every weekend, especially during May and June when the wildflowers are in full bloom.  If you're like me and you h...

Latourell Falls is a beautiful and unique waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. This amazing waterfall is just a few hundred yards from the road and parking lot. Once you park, there is a viewpoint for the falls that is straight ahead. The view from there isn't that great compared to ...

Once you reach the parking lot, walk down the hill and find the trail head, which is easily seen as it is marked. Begin your trek up the trail. The way up is pretty much all uphill, and is a great workout for the legs. You will walk through forests and over many rocks on the way up. As soon as y...

The Cape Horn Trail is great for those who are short on time, but still want to get outside for something close by with great views. Located just 35 min east of Portland, the Cape Horn Trail offers a few different possibilities for you to hike. The whole loop (lower section is closed from Feb 1s...

The Vista House located in the Columbia River Gorge offers those looking to photograph the night sky without traveling long distance from Portland the opportunity to do so. Vista House is just far enough away from Portland's light pollution to allow you to capture enough stars on a clear night.T...

NOTE: Access to this hike is currently closed. A Part of this hike goes through private land. At this time, the landowner is not granting access to hikers. There are no signs or trail head for the falls, but it's a popular spot for kayakers and photographers, so look for a faint boot path direct...

The Columbia River Gorge is full of hidden gems, especially for new folks like me. I just found out about this little trail right in the middle of Mosier Oregon.  The trail is great for new hikers, and if you have some friends visiting this would be the perfect trail to take them on if they don'...

The family friendly Naked Falls is just 20 minutes outside of Camas, Washington. It is a great introduction to kids of the great Pacific Northwest. It is also a great reminder for cliff jumpers that there are still great spots that aren’t too far from home. A $12 fee per car is required for parki...

Coyote Wall is a relatively uncrowded trail system in the Columbia River Gorge that provides outstanding views of the Columbia River. The trail system is made up primarily of user-created mountain biking trails, allowing hikers a choose-your-own-adventure approach to exploring the area. Start o...

White River Falls is perfect for those looking for an easy hike with great rewards. From the parking lot, it is a brisk walk to a view point, where you can immediately take in the gorgeous falls! To get down to the bottom of the falls, turn left and begin walking down the trail. You will cross a...

White River Falls is located 35 miles south of The Dalles and 4.5 miles east of Tygh Valley. With only a short walk from the parking area to the viewing area and trails leading down to the water.White River Falls, which is the furthest upstream, drops about 75 feet with multiple channels, and at ...

Steep Creek Falls is located about 5 miles from the small town of Stevenson. Take Highway 14 one mile west of Stevenson to Rock Creek Drive and turn north, passing the Skamania Lodge and Resort. Turn left onto Ryan Allen Road and follow it for about a mile, then turn left onto Red Bluff Road. Fo...