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VISITORS AND SUMMER FUN GUIDE
May 2013
MULTNOMAH FALLS:
Breathtak-
ing views and a steep 620-foot
climb define Multnomah Falls,
the second highest year-round
waterfall in the nation and a ma-
jor area attraction for nearly 2
million visitors a year. A foot-
trail leads to Benson Bridge, a
45-foot-long span that allows
visitors to cross the falls 105 feet
above the bottom while snapping
a nice photograph to remember
it. The steep trail continues to
Larch Mountain Lookout, where
you can see a panoramic view of
the Columbia Gorge. Multnomah
Falls Lodge, located at the base
of the falls, provides Northwest
cuisine and a fine view. Inside
the lodge’s lower level are an in-
formation center, a snack shop
and a gift shop where you can
purchase items to remind you of
the trip. To get to Multnomah
Falls, drive east on Interstate 84,
take exit 31 and follow the signs.
HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGH-
WAY:
Drive through the Columbia
River Gorge, an original part of
Lewis and Clark’s journey west-
ward and the Oregon Trail. Con-
struction of the Columbia River
Highway began in 1913, and it
was praised as an amazing ar-
chitectural feat. Now residents
and visitors praise the highway
for its spectacular waterfalls, in-
credible scenery and rich histo-
ry. Start the 70-mile trip in down-
town Troutdale and follow either
part or all of it as it winds east-
ward to The Dalles in Wasco
County.
VISTA HOUSE AT CROWN POINT:
Built in 1916 as a rest stop and
viewpoint on the Columbia River
Gorge, Vista House is an octago-
nal building that serves as a mu-
seum and gift shop with displays
of geologic and historic points of
the area. The main attraction of
Vista House is the panoramic
view of the gorge that it offers
from its perch 733 feet above the
Columbia River. Check out the
interpretive panels inside Vista
House and visit the gift shop. Re-
member your camera. To get to
Vista House, follow the Historic
Columbia River Highway about 3
miles east of Corbett.
PORTLAND WOMEN’S FORUM STATE
SCENIC VIEWPOINT:
Another great
place to snap a photograph of
the Columbia River Gorge. The
viewpoint is 9 miles east of
Troutdale on the Historic Co-
lumbia River Highway. Portland
Women’s Forum is a group that
has been active in the Columbia
River Gorge since 1946. The
founding members were respon-
sible for recognizing that this
viewpoint was special and
should be saved from private de-
velopment and shared with the
gorge visitors forever. The la-
dies had teas, sales and raised
the funds to buy this viewpoint
and eventually gifted the prop-
erty to the Oregon Parks & Rec-
reation Department, which now
takes care of this beautiful spot
for all to enjoy.
GO FISHING AT BENSON LAKE:
1
mile west of Multnomah Falls on
Interstate 84 at milepost 30 (east-
bound access only). Picnickers
love Benson Lake; there’s even a
disc golf course and a reservable
shelter for groups.
HIKE FROM WAHKEENA FALLS TO
MULTNOMAH FALLS:
It’s a short
hike through some beautiful for-
ests and scenery.
LATOURELL FALLS:
Driving east
from Vista House, follow the
“figure-eight loops” down 600
feet to the Columbia River and
drive for about 3 miles until you
come to beautiful Latourell Falls.
On a humid summer day, few
things are better than standing a
stone’s throw away on the falls’
banks and feeling the cool spray.
BONNEVILLE DAM:
Spend a day
exploring the dam and visiting
the fish hatchery.
ROOSTER ROCK:
Three miles of
sandy beaches draw out the
crowds on hot days, as it’s one of
the largest swimming areas near
Portland. It manages to peace-
fully coexist with a hidden nude
beach, one of two sanctioned
nude beaches in the state. Day
use of the park costs $5. To get
here, take exit 25 from Interstate
84.
CORBETT CHILDREN’S THEATER:
The Corbett School District is
recognized for its strong arts
programs, and the independent
Corbett Children’s Theater
proves it, with students taking
on musicals, classic stories and
comedies throughout the year.
See the future Hollywood and
Broadway stars while they’re
still young. Call 503-261-4266 or
visit corbettchildrenstheater.
com for a schedule of upcoming
productions.
CORBETT FOURTH OF JULY FIRE-
WORKS:
The annual community
celebration gets under way with
a parade that begins at 10:45 a.m.
Daylong activities follow at the
Corbett School Complex, includ-
ing food, a pie eating contest,
old-fashioned field games, live
music and fireworks at the end
of the day. Music starts at 12:15
p.m. Admission is $7 in advance
or $10 at the gate, with children
under 3 free. Website: corbett-
funfest.com.
CORBETT FIRE DISTRICT BREAK-
FAST:
Enjoy a pancake breakfast
with Sparky the fire dog Satur-
day, June 1, from 7:30 to 11:30
a.m. at the Corbett Fire Hall.
36930 Historic Columbia River
Highway. All proceeds fund the
Ferd Riehl Scholarship. The day
includes old cars, door prizes,
fire truck rides and more. Cost:
$6 for adults and $3.50 for chil-
dren 10 and younger. Website:
corbettoregon.com.
GORGE
CORBETT
A visit to Vista
House on the
Historic
Columbia River
Highway gives a
panoramic view
of the gorge.
PAMPLIN MEDIA
GROUP PHOTO