I found this popular overlook while driving by the Columbia River Gorge in Corbett. It's known for…read moreits panoramic views of the gorge and a beautiful view of the Crown Point Vista House. I learned that The Portland Women's Forum purchased the land to prevent development & to preserve the natural beauty along the gorge & then later donated it to the state in 1963. The names of all the women are listed. I love the location of this overlook as it's easy to view from the roadside which makes it an easy stop for travelers on the Historic Columbia River Highway. This is also located right next to Chanticleer Point.

Ah! The last free viewpoint on the historic hiway 30 going east.As of yet still no parking fee…read moreunlike Vista House and others. Been coming here for decades and the view never disappoints. Plenty of hikes nearby. No amenities. And the viewfinder is gone. Needs a lil TLC but a lovely stop on Larch.

This is another good view point to see the Columbia river banks. The parking lot is adjacent. But…read morethe area is severely under maintained. The trees and bushes are high and all over, that blocks the view a lot. Other than the natural site and some historical plaques, there's not much to see or do here.

Beautiful view! There was plenty of parking. Gorgeous viewpoint of the Columbia River Gorge in…read moreCorbett, OR. You can see the Vista House and the gorge. So glad I stopped by here to capture such a nice viewpoint. Loved that it wasn't packed so I didn't have to find parking & didn't feel rushed to enjoy this viewpoint

Crown point is the highest spot in the Columbia scenic driveway. There are plenty of parking lots…read moreall around the Vista house building. From the lot, you get to see a stunning view of the Columbia River and its surrounding landscape. The Vista house is a dome like structure, mostly made of stone like material. It is closed during middle of the week. The interior is a small space. To me, the view of the landscape much superior than the building itself.

A beautiful observation point on the Historic Columbia River Highway with stunning views of the…read moreColumbia River Gorge and the mountains. It's a great place to stop and enjoy the scenery. There's no entrance fee, but parking fee needed. I've visited in both winter and summer, and the experience was quite different. In winter, it was extremely windy, while the summer (mid June) visit was pleasantly cool with almost no wind, making it much more comfortable to explore. The upper level was closed during our visit, but we still able to visit the basement, there's a small museum, souvenir shop and a café. The staffs were very friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable, making the visit even more enjoyable. Definitely worth a stop if you're driving along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

The ride up to the Vista House at Crown Point is absolutely beautiful! With each twist and curve of…read morethe road you can catch a glimpse of the river below or the farms, orchards and beautiful homes and property along the way. The foliage is lush and green in the Spring with pops of colors as trees are flowering. In Autumn the trees are vibrant shades of gold, red, yellow and orange. A drive through here is a must during these two seasons! Or anytime. Many parts of the road are lined with a white fence or the stone arched wall, part of the National History Civil Engineering Land built between 1913 and 1922. you will see this all along Scenic Highway 30, at Multnomah Falls and many of the other waterfalls and landmarks along the way. once you arrive at the Vista House, there is a large parking area. If no spots, be patient as cars are a,plways coming and going. As you walk around, you will enjoy expansive views of the Columbia River and the Gorge in both directions. The deep blue water against the lush green hills and basalt cliffs is breathtaking. You can even see the Sandy beach of Rooster Rock towards the east. It is often super windy up there, I mean so windy it's challenging to walk! I try to plan my rides out that way based on weather predictions for light or no wind. This makes it perfect for walking all around for the 360 panoramic views. Vista House itself is beautiful with incredible architecture, leaded glass windows and stone. Currently it's not open, but when it is, there is a gift shop downstairs, restrooms, and the ability to read about the history of this magnificent viewpoint.

I love the Columbia River Gorge and Crown Point. I've been coming here since I was a teenager…read more When I was in high school it wasn't that popular of a place for tourists we used to hang out and spend the night occasionally out on the cliff. Fortunately no one ever fell. Kids being kids! It was so fun and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Now as an adult I do enjoy going here for a sunrise or sunset occasionally and there are a couple good areas for meditation. The last couple years I've noticed some people are leaving trash... Which sucks! I feel so lucky to be able to enjoy such a beautiful place and you should too!

Easy to find, friendly people, not crazy crowds, for the most part people picked up after…read morethemselves. Beautiful spot to beat the heat, just make sure you purchase your discovery pass before you go. Water is cold but not terrible, you get used to it after a few minutes. Definitely wear good water shoes with decent tread, rocks are very slippery. We will definitely be back (with tubes next time!) btw we are 67 & 58 and climbed down and out no problem

Dougan Falls is so incredibly beautiful. My wife and I go there at least once in each season. This…read moreFall the water was so powerful and it was pouring outside which was a lot of fun because we like outings in the rain! We were the only ones there but there is plenty of parking even when it's busy. Just make sure you have a "Discover Pass". You can swim there in the summer too. It's just a peaceful beautiful place to be and the drive up the Washougal River is beautiful too.

They've been abusing us for 5 years now fly at academy flies over our house over and over again at…read morelow speeds almost hitting our trees and we've complained a few times to him but they just don't seem to take any action

With walking and picking trails along the Columbia River, there are magnificent views of Mt. Hood…read morestanding tall all along the way. I love the water so being able to walk on a nice paved path and take in these views energizes my soul. As you make your way, there are kiosks and touch and learn signage to educate in the birds, wildlife and history of this area. So many to spot along the way including blue heron, osprey, eagles and more. For those that want to kayak or canoe, there are non motorized launch areas, too. Views from down on the water give a different, equally beatitular vantage point. Along the way is the Natural Play Area, designed to blend in and represent nature with a hillside slide, log balancing beams, a boulder maze and of course, a Sasquatch named Egan. With a few picnic table scattered around, even some in the shade, it's a great place to take a walk, bike ride, kayak and then picnic.

"The Gateway to the Gorge," Troutdale is near the confluence of the Sandy and Columbia rivers, 17…read moremiles from downtown Portland to the west and 14 miles to iconic Multnomah Falls to the east. if you head south, you are on your way up to Mt. Hood. Troutdale is in the center of it all! Whenever I drive to the Columbia Gorge, which is frequently, I can feel my breathing relax as I pass through Troutdale and the immense beauty of the Columbia River and basalt cliffs of the Gorge immediately unfolds and surrounds me. I'm in my happy place! But there is more to Troutdale than passing through! The quaint town whose first settlers arrived in 1850, still has some of the historical buildings. There are several antique shops, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, pubs and coffee shops. The town hosts an art walk on the first Friday from May through September and has several other festivals throughout the year. The tree lighting in December brings all the residents together. Glenn Otto Park, a 6.38 acre park off the East Columbia Highway, is super popular. With riverfront access, the warm months are filled with lots of activities: swimming, rafting, picnicking and walking the trails. There is a playground, a covered picnic area and restrooms. The Sam Cox Great Room and the covered picnic areas can be reserved for parties & picnics. Important to note - no pets or alcohol allowed at the Park. While at the park or in Troutdale, stop at the Sugarpine Drive-In, a popular restaurant and ice cream shop with a drive through and walk up window. The newly opened Troutdale Station is a huge food cart pod that has indoor seating with air conditioning and heat. You can enjoy a variety of food from the dozens of food carts, most a branch of popular food carts in Portland, and adult beverages from the huge bar that lines the back wall. The Columbia Gore Outlets are right off the exit and while it's a pale shadow of its former self, there is a drive through Starbucks, a Coach outlet, Eddie Bauer, Levi's, Rocky Mountain Chocolate, Lane Bryant, Torrid, Rue21, Jockey, Fashion Footware and several others still in business. And of course, you can and should drive the scenic highway From Troutdale up to Crown Point for sweeping 180 degree views of the Columbia River then back down along the row of 7 waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. it's a spectacular ride in all seasons. Troutdale is the gateway to the Gorge and also a destination!

As a resident here for 6 years, I'm very pleased with the changes in the downtown area. The variety…read moreand quality of restaurants is improving and although parking is becoming more of a problem, I always can find a spot somewhere. Glen Otto park is a delightful spot in the summer (and next to SugarPine!) and LoLo's pizza is the best! City Hall has been responsive to my questions, and my specific neighborhood (near Kane and Sunrise Park) is safe, with friendly neighbors, and well managed landscaping. Being so close to the hospital, Safeway, and I-84 are also pluses.