Historic Columbia River Highway
US 30 HistoricCrown Point (Vista House) to Ainsworth State Park · Oregon
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 620ft 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 runs
Character
Elevation
217 m rangeKnow before you go
- Heavy tourist traffic in waterfall season
- Narrow blind masonry curves
- Damp shaded surface under tree canopy
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Historic Columbia River Highway.
