Oregon · United States
Historic Columbia River Highway
US 30 HistoricCrown Point (Vista House) to Ainsworth State Park
Samuel Lancaster’s 1913 cliff-hung byway threading the waterfall corridor of the Columbia Gorge, past Vista House and Multnomah Falls.
This is the surviving drivable spine of America’s first scenic highway, built into the basalt walls of the Columbia River Gorge with hand-laid masonry, arched viaducts and gentle figure-eight loops. From Crown Point and the domed Vista House the road dips down through dripping rainforest, skirting the base of Latourell, Shepperd’s Dell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena and the 620 ft Multnomah Falls in quick succession before easing out at Ainsworth. Speeds are low and the corners constant rather than fast, so it rewards a relaxed pace over commitment. It is one of the most photographed stretches of road in the Pacific Northwest and stays busy on summer weekends. Mind heavy waterfall-season tourist traffic, narrow blind masonry curves, and frequent low-light damp patches under the tree canopy.
Where it runs12.1 mi · point to point
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Corners
busiest around mile 1Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%13.1 – 229.9 mFrom the road
Points of interest3 stops
- Crown PointViewpointat the start
- Shepperd’s Dell FallsLandmark3.6 mi in
- Bridal Veil FallsLandmark4.6 mi in
Hazards
- Heavy tourist traffic in waterfall season
- Narrow blind masonry curves
- Damp shaded surface under tree canopy
Sources
“The drive is very scenic and offers stunning views of the Oregon side of the Columbia River.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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