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GPS Coordinates:
Troutdale (west end): 45.529444, -122.391667 The Dalles (east end): 45.601111, -121.182778 |
REGIONS > CENTRAL OREGON
There are dozens of historic and scenic routes in Oregon, but probably few are as famous or as popular as the Historic Columbia River Highway. The original highway was the brainchild of local Oregonians who wanted to model the route after the great scenic roads of Europe, especially those in Switzerland, which featured majestic views, windowed tunnels, and plenty of recreational opportunities. Planning began in 1909 with construction occurring between 1913 and 1922. Building the highway was partly practical, as it connected the river port of The Dalles with smaller communities along the southern bank of the Columbia. But the main reason was to provide a scenic drive for Americans who were also becoming new car owners. With the advent of the automobile in the first decade of the twentieth century, "going for a drive" was both a luxury and a growing recreational activity. The Columbia River Highway provided a two lane thoroughfare that connected major scenic, historic, and commercial points along a 74 mile (119 km) route, and gave Americans from a century ago an easy way to explore it all. |
Depending where you are along its route, you can enjoy the highway by car, on foot, or on a bicycle. There are plenty of side trips as well, including the Columbia River Gorge’s famous waterfalls — 90 of them in all!
Over the intervening decades, the route and features of the highway have changed. Natural phenomenon like rock fall or forest fire may have required parts to be moved or closed to ensure the safety of motorists. Bypasses were built in other areas as communities expanded, or due to large construction projects like the Bonneville Dam (opened in 1938) and Interstate 84 (constructed in 1966).
Today, Interstate 84 runs a parallel route to the highway. The interstate is now one of the largest east-west travel corridors in Oregon, connecting the major metropolitan areas of Portland to Boise, Idaho, and Ogden, Utah. While the interstate is faster and carries more traffic than the historic highway, it doesn't necessarily connect you to the same amazing views, recreational opportunities or historical places even though they run mostly parallel of each other.
For those Oregonians who want a more leisurely tour of the Columbia River Gorge, the Historic Columbia River Highway is still the preferred route, and hosts nearly 1 million people every year.
Indeed, the highway is a lot more than a road along a river. Over the years it’s been added to the National Register of Historic Places, designated as a National Historic Landmark and as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
To learn more about traveling the highway and enjoying all its wonders, click here.
Over the intervening decades, the route and features of the highway have changed. Natural phenomenon like rock fall or forest fire may have required parts to be moved or closed to ensure the safety of motorists. Bypasses were built in other areas as communities expanded, or due to large construction projects like the Bonneville Dam (opened in 1938) and Interstate 84 (constructed in 1966).
Today, Interstate 84 runs a parallel route to the highway. The interstate is now one of the largest east-west travel corridors in Oregon, connecting the major metropolitan areas of Portland to Boise, Idaho, and Ogden, Utah. While the interstate is faster and carries more traffic than the historic highway, it doesn't necessarily connect you to the same amazing views, recreational opportunities or historical places even though they run mostly parallel of each other.
For those Oregonians who want a more leisurely tour of the Columbia River Gorge, the Historic Columbia River Highway is still the preferred route, and hosts nearly 1 million people every year.
Indeed, the highway is a lot more than a road along a river. Over the years it’s been added to the National Register of Historic Places, designated as a National Historic Landmark and as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
To learn more about traveling the highway and enjoying all its wonders, click here.
Features Related to the Historic Columbia River Highway:
Eating My Way Through the Fruit Loop: A young Oceanscape volunteer hungrily explores this driving tour through Oregon's agricultural heartland.
Going, Going, Gone... Missing Animals of the Columbia River Gorge: The Columbia River Gorge has seen plenty of species come and go over the millennia. Here is a short list of species you WON'T see when you visit there today.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: This legendary overland expedition not only lead to the discovery of new places and species, but helped pave the way for American expansion across the continent to the Pacific Ocean.
Going, Going, Gone... Missing Animals of the Columbia River Gorge: The Columbia River Gorge has seen plenty of species come and go over the millennia. Here is a short list of species you WON'T see when you visit there today.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: This legendary overland expedition not only lead to the discovery of new places and species, but helped pave the way for American expansion across the continent to the Pacific Ocean.
Explore the Area:
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Representative Species of the Historic Columbia River Highway:
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Suggested Activities for the Historic Columbia River Highway:
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