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Columbia River, Oregon and Washington State

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Introduction

Northern Bank - Washington State, from West to East

I-5 does not provide any significant views of the river except from the bridge between Washington State and Oregon.

The town of Vancouver, Washington State is just north of the Columbia. It is effectively a suburb of Portland, Oregon and traffic is very heavy. Washington State Highway 500 might possibly offer a more pleasant if slower alternative route.

Washington State Highway 14 then runs alongside the Columbia all the way to the McNary Dam. This is a magnificent ride.

Shortly after leaving the Portland/Vancouver urban area Wa 14 enters the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, where the river passes through the Cascade Mountains. This area tends to frequently suffer from low cloud, rain and high winds, although the latter mean that you can often see windsurfers on the river. On a good day the views here are fantastic. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest lies immediately to the north.

Further east the river flows through a valley with hills on either side and there are excellent views from the road all the way to the McNary Dam. On a clear day excellent views of Mount Hood, east of Portland, are also to be had.

On Washington State Highway 14 just east of the US97 bridge across the river there is a war memorial built in the form of a replica of Stonehenge as it is thought to have looked when it was fully intact. This is well worth a visit, and being some considerable height above the river affords excellent views. There is no entrance fee. In season the fruit stands in the cherry orchards on the Washington bank just east of the US97 bridge are also well worth a visit - there is a fairly steep but paved road from Stonehenge down to the orchards. There is also a small Washington State welcome center here.

Southern Bank - Oregon, from West to East

I-84 and US30 on the Oregon bank east of Portland, where the river cuts through the Cascade Mountains, pass Crown Point from which there is a most impressive view over the river gorge. The Mount Hood National Forest lies immediately to the south.

East of the Gorge, I-84 is probably a faster road that Washington 14, but I would judge the Washington road as being the more scenic. It also has the advantage of allowing you to stop to admire the views as you wish.

There are a number of dams along this and other sections of the Columbia, including the Bonneville Dam, the Dalles Dam, the John Day Dam and the McNary Dam. Most of these dams have areas open to the public and are well worth visiting.

I-82 crosses the Columbia just west of the McNary Dam, north of the town of Hermiston, Oregon.

Washington State

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Most recently modified 12-Aug-01