Recreation


Looking east down the Gorge, you see the historic Crown Point perched on a cliff and endless trees

Discover an Area by Activity

Select an activity to find an area to visit.

Know before you go. Take a look at Current Conditions below the Recreation Map.

The Columbia River Gorge receives a high volume of visitors and popular sites can get crowded. Please consider a few "Plan B" options in case your first choice is too crowded when you arrive. Please visit ReadySetGorge interagency website to plan your trip. 

Recreation Passes
Alerts & Notices
Maps & Publications

Interactive Recreation Map of Forest Service sites

 

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Angel's Rest Trail (#415) Open Open
BZ Launch Site & Trail (#4413) Open Open Boat launch, take-outs and trail are open for use. One vault restroom open year-round.
Balfour-Klickitat Area & Trail (#4414) Open Open
Bonneville Trailhead Open Open
Bridge Of The Gods Trailhead Open Open 11/14/23: Restrooms are closed for the season. A valid recreation pass is required for parking.  Fee tube is out of service; cash not accepted. Use QR code on bulletin board to pay or purchase a pass at Columbia Market in Cascade Locks
Cape Horn Overlook Open Open
Cape Horn Trail (#4418) Open Open Seasonal closure on lower loop in effect Feb 1 to Jul 15 to protect peregrine falcon nesting habitat. (See closure area on posted signs.)
Catherine Creek Interpretive Trail (#4400) Open Open A fallen tree is blocking the "connector" trail within the trail system. Trail Crew has been alerted. (2/22/24)
Catherine Creek Loop Open Open
Catherine Creek Recreation Area Open Open
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Open Open The Discovery Center is open daily 9am-5pm. Call for more information (541) 296-8600.
Coyote Wall Recreation Area Open Open
Devils Rest Trail (#420C) Open Open
Dog Creek Falls Observation Site Open Open
Dog Mountain Open Open A permit is required to park at the Dog Mtn Trailhead parking lot on Saturdays and Sundays. Permit season for 2024 is April 27 - June 16 and Memorial Day. If there are no permits available, hikers may take the shuttle from Stevenson and a hand stamp will serve as your hiking permit.
Eagle Creek Campground Open Open Make reservations at Recreation.gov.Opens 5/1/24
Eagle Creek Day Use Area Open Open A valid recreation pass is required. 
Eagle Creek Overlook Group Campground Open Open Make reservations at Recreation.gov.Opens 5/1/24
Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail (#440) Open Open A valid recreation pass is required.
Gorge 400 (MP 15 - 19.5) John Yeon to Wahclella Open Open
Gorge 400 Trail Open Open
Gorton Creek Trail (#408) Open Open South of the intersection with the Deadwood Trail the trail is unmaintained, extremely brushy, and difficult to follow.
Herman Creek Campground/Horse Camp Closed Closed Closed for site restoration. Est. re-opening in 2025
Herman Creek Trail (#406) Open Open
Herman Creek Trailhead Open Open A valid recreation pass is required for parking. 
Historic Columbia River Highway Open Open
Horsetail Falls & Trail (#438) Open Open Switchbacks near the intersection with Oneonta Trail have been damaged by treefall.
Husum Boating Site Open Open
Klickitat Trail Open Open Open for day use only.
Klickitat Wild & Scenic River Open Open
Larch Mountain Open Open Larch Mountain Road is managed by Multnomah County. CLOSED FOR THE WINTER 11/27/23check current status here. 
Larch Mountain Trail (#441) Open Open Larch Mountain Road is managed by Multnomah County, SCHEDULED TO CLOSE FOR THE WINTER 11/27/23 check current status here. . There is a landslide above the intersection with the 420 (Wahkeena) Trail. Cross with extreme caution. There is also a slide on the Wahkeena Trail near Fairy Falls. If you are attempting the loop hike from Multnomah Lodge to Wahkeena Trailhead, you will encounter this slide. Use extreme caution if attempting to cross. We have received reports of a logjam causing the creek to flow over the trail just below Weisendanger Falls. Expect fallen trees.
Lower Punchbowl Trail (#440B) Open Open Be extremely cautious when attempting to cross Eagle Creek to reach Punch Bowl.
Lyle Trailhead Open Open 11/16/23: Flush restrooms closed for the season but portable toilets are on site.
Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness: Columbia Gorge Open Open Parts of the wilderness are closed due to post-fire hazards. Plan your hike carefully, and check specific trails for status. Do not hike off trail and respect closure signs.
Metlako Falls Spur Trail (#440A) Closed Closed Trail no longer exists due to cliff collapse.
Moffett Creek Trail (#430) Closed Closed Closed due to hazards and unstable conditions.
Mount Defiance Trail (#413) Open Open Expect rugged conditions
Multnomah Falls Open Open A Timed Use Permit will be required daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m from May 24, 2024 through Sept. 2, 2024. Permits will be available online at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10089144 for a $2 transaction fee starting May 10, 2024.
Multnomah Falls Lodge Open Open
Nesmith Point Trail (#428) Open Open
Nick Eaton Trail (#447) Open Open Avoid during high winds and heavy rains due to tree fall and landslide hazards.
Northwestern Park None None Northwestern Park, owned and operated by PacifiCorp Power, provides public access to the White Salmon Wild and Scenic River with a boat ramp and picnic facilities.
Oneonta Trail (#424) Open Open Oneonta Trail is open. ONEONTA GORGE (separate from the trail) is closed until further notice. 
Oneonta Trailhead Open Open Oneonta Trail is open. ONEONTA GORGE remains closed.
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (#2000) Open Open
River Front Trail (#4406) Open Open
Sams Walker Day Use Area & Trail (#4402) Open Open A valid recreation pass is required
Sandy River Delta Open Open Site is for day use only. Must keep dogs on leash in parking lot and surrounding area as well as confluence trail. Do NOT park in trailer parking area (unless you have an RV or trailer). A valid recreation pass is required.
Skamania Lodge Open Open
St. Cloud Day Use Area & Trail (#4410) Open Open
Starvation Ridge Trail (#414) Open Open This trail is only accessible via Mt. Defiance Trail Trail #413 as the old cutoff trail (414A) is currently closed.
Wahclella Falls Trail (#436) Open Open 7/28/23: We are unable to accept cash at this site. A valid recreation pass is required or scan the QR code at the trailhead to pay once you arrive.Parking is limited; do not leave any items of value in your vehicle.
Wahkeena Falls Open Open Gates and restrooms closed. opens 5/1/24.
Wahkeena Trail (#420) Open Open 2/18/24: Landslide above Fairy Falls (approximately 2.0 miles from trailhead)has blown-out trail switchbacks. No timeline for repairs. Trail is not officially closed but access is not recommended. Cross slide with extreme caution.
White Salmon Wild & Scenic River Open Open
Wyeth Campground Open Open Potable water not available until July 1. Flush or portable toilets will be available during this time. Make reservations at Recreation.gov.Opens 5/1/24
Wyeth Trail (#411) Open Open