My wife and I set out for an adventure from East Vancouver, heading to Dog Creek Falls, which we…read morereached in about an hour. The falls are conveniently located right off the highway, with ample parking available. In fact, we had the place to ourselves for the first 25 minutes or so. From the parking lot, it's just a short, easy walk--about 100 yards--to the falls. The waterfall is absolutely stunning, with crystal-clear water cascading into a serene, picturesque setting that feels tucked away from the world.

A small waterfall...especially if compared to the endless supply of spectacular falls along the…read moreColumbia Gorge. There's a nice sign for Dog Creek easily seen when traveling along the 14. If you're heading west you might not see the turnoff to the parking area until you pass it. There's a decent amount of parking available, but no toilet or trash bins. Dog Creek is sweet and in a peaceful setting. The falls are easily seen from the highway, but a very short path leads from the lot to the water. A small and simple single drop falls comes down from the canyon, however we took the drone up and could see there's quite a bit more to the river and falls higher up...we did not attempt to venture up there though. There's a small pool at the base of the falls and great shade. I could see it be a nice place for families to picnic and kiddos to splash around in the summer. In an area full of fabulous hikes and sites Dog Creek Falls might not stand out, but it's a easy place to stop off the highway and quickly enjoy a falls with the fam.

A short, but pretty cool trail in BZ Corner along the White Salmon to a waterfall…read more We noticed this falls mentioned in an online article. Since we were hiking nearby, we decided to drop by and check it out. Clearly a popular drop-in site for rafters and kayakers, the day-use site has plenty of parking, as well as toilets. From the lot the trail starts off with a rail system to assist in sliding crafts down to the water. Pretty cool setup, I'd actually never seen this type of system. Once you reach the base of the cliffs, the hiking trail takes off to the left while the rails continue to the right and down to the water. The trail is an out and back about a 1/2 mile with various types of footing...planks, a boardwalk, rocks, and dirt...all fairly muddy right now. We also had to hopscotch through running water a couple times, nothing huge though. The trail runs between the cliffs and the river all the way, and with the waters running fast right now the sound was fabulous. It comes to an end on a platform overlooking a small falls in the river, as well as one coming over the cliff...the latter of which was pretty hidden in the brush and trees currently, but you can get a peek of it. There's actually a gate on the platform that allows you a bit more access to get a closer view of the falls. We got a bit muddy last weekend, but to be expected this time of year. The trail is quite pretty, with one exception at the end. Unfortunately someone has dumped a couple old tires over the cliff that settled just below the partially hidden falls off to the left of the viewing platform. Such a shame... Overall it's a short and easy hike for most any ability in a pretty river setting. Not too shabby... besides those tires. Grrrr.

Moderately challenging, the "non-launch" trail is a neat walk. A good view of the power of the…read moreriver, the trail was dry on this spring day. It's less groomed though so shoes with decent grip would be well-advised.

A simple yet beautiful trail that is fully paved and meanders down towards the river providing…read morevast, expansive views of the magnificent Columbia River. If you visit during wildflower season, it's even more beautiful with colorful wildflowers covering the fields. This trail is one of the few ADA accessible, which I really appreciate. While I do not use a wheelchair, I do have a disability and my legs can not handle the dirt and rock trails that are uneven. So having a paved path means that I can enjoy the gorgeous nature in this area. Wildflower season ranges from end of March to June, but every year is different based on the weather. This year (2022) was a very cold and rainy spring which delayed and prolonged the season. In April the hills were covered in yellow balsomroot and then blue lupine. End of May and heading into June, the next wave of flowers brings shades of blue from the delicate cornflowers with California poppies providing vibrant pops of orange Along the way. It's stunning! Wildflower season is my favorite season! Along the path there are many benches for those wanting to just relax and chill; some in the shade, some in the sun. There are also placards providing info on the area, the wildflowers, and the importance of pollination. The Catherine Creek paved trail is south of the parking area, which is a gravel section along Highway 8. Cross the street, the access is just past the porta potty. If you want the Catherine Creek Arch trail, it is on the same side as the parking, just head up the hill on the dirt trail. It's an easy 1.5 mile paved path that does have some declines and inclines as you make your way down, around, and then back up. If you head clockwise, you can see the creek to your left. If you decide to go off the paved path down to the creek, know there is a lot of poison oak and ticks. I stayed on the path, which is clear and well maintained. Note for wheelchair users - the path is wide and paved, but there are some areas where it slopes down and then makes it way back up. Another great thing about Catherine Creek Trail and Catherine Creek Arch Loop is that parking is free, no day pass required. The parking area is on the smaller side and on weekends, especially during wildflower time, it does get crowded. I went midweek and there was plenty of parking and I only came across two people on the path. Great for people of all ages and skills. For expert hikers, do the Catherine Arch first then finish with Catherine Creek.

The trailhead was pretty busy Saturday afternoon, but there's a decent amount of parking along Old…read moreHwy 8 at the head. There are trails on both sides of the Hwy...according to the trail map only two above 8 and one below within Catherine Creek, but another trail leads towards Coyote Wall. We only took one uphill loop this day. The trails are quite narrow and the footing mostly uneven and rocky. The views are stunning throughout, and the flowers are emerging. As the trails wind mostly through the open ridge there is almost no shade...sunblock sunblock! It's an enjoyable spot for a hike for sure, although for me not quite AS pretty as the nearby Labyrinth Trail. We will definitely return to complete the other trails...good times.

TLDR: Mostly great trail except it passes directly by the dump and has terrible signage…read more I had read somewhere that there was a 7.5 mile trail from Riverfront Park to The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. From Downtown The Dalles, I had an easy time finding the trail, and finding my way to Riverfront Park. According to the map, the dam is only an additional 2.5 miles east of the park. But, the unpaved section of trail about a mile past the park had a lot of glass and other debris in it, so I decided to turn around. Heading west of Riverfront Park, I had a hard time figuring out where to pick up the trail. There is little to no signage. I kept riding past the dump, thinking, "This can't be right," and turning around. Turns out that the trail is just past this. So, ride until it smells really, really bad. Ride until it smells like death, and then turn right when the road runs into the Google data center. This is where a small aux trail runs from the wide paved Industry trail to the real Riverfront trail. The section from Google to the Gorge Discovery Center is by far the best section of trail. If I only had an hour or two to do this trail and knew everything I know now, I would park at the Discovery Center, and ride from there. Between Google and the river, there is a mini bike park with tables for snacking and stretching, a water bottle refill station, and a bike repair station. There were a lot of older couples and children walking along the trail, so this is not necessarily a great trail for riding fast, but it is very pretty. The views of the volcanic bluffs and basalt deposits along the river are unique and distinct from the rest of the Gorge. Due to the recent fires, a lot of the trees and shrubs on the east side of the trail are currently missing. Even though that's obviously sad, it's resulted in amazing views of the river from the trail. The very last section of trail climbing up to the Discovery Center is a kind of brutal switchback. Coming back down the other way, I got hit by a strong gust of wind that I swear almost blew me straight into the river. I would be very cautious about riding with small children in this area. From the bike trail, you can see so many things that you can't see from the road. There are lots of little inlets full of moss and birds that you would never notice from the freeway. Overall a very pretty trail except for the ride by the dump.

Located in the Columbia River's edge, the Riverfront Trail in The Dalles offers expansive views of…read morethe Columbia River, the basalt cliffs along the Washington side, and The Dalles Bridge and powerful dam with lots of wildlife to see along the way! The ten mile trail goes from The Discovery Center to The Dalles Dam Visitor center winding along the southern bank of the Columbia River. The path is paved, which is why I like it, and it's about 10 feet wide. Plenty of room for those walking, biking, pushing strollers or walking with pets. There are often eagles soaring above, especially from November through January when migrating eagles stay here to feast on the fish and critters. If you go at dusk, there are 50+ nesting in the trees in front of the dam. During the summer, there are hundreds and hundreds of pelicans. They are fascinating to watch, their fishing skills just incredible. They stay together in their flock and when they are hunting, it's a sea of these big white birds diving in and out of the river. Winds can be fierce in this area, which means the current on the river is equally fierce so be aware! And careful. There are also deer in this area which means ticks so wear socks, long pants and stay in the trail. Make sure to check yourself and your dogs after walking especially if you are your pets wander through the grasses. Located off exit 85 on I-8, it's easy access while driving through this area or staying in The Dalles. It's part of Riverplace Park so there are shaded areas with picnic tables, public restrooms and plenty of parking.

A cute small park on the edge of the gorge of the Columbia River valley. There is ample parking…read more The edge is a short 50 yard walk with a view of the gorge . It a beautiful view well worth it.

Teeny, tiny park with expansive views of the magnificent Columbia River and the basalt cliffs of…read morethe Gorge. It's worth a stop just for the view, in every season. The reason I love this specific view so much is that it incorporates the rugged cliffs of the Gorge to the left, a magnificent vineyard below, and the beautiful Columbia River with the basalt cliffs of WA to the right. In the spring, everything is so green and lush! In the fall, the trees and bushes peppered amongst the cliffs are vibrant orange and gold. In the winter, on a snowy day, wow! Even in the dead of winter and early spring, it's still beautiful the neon lime green moss contrasting against the gray rocks and blue sky. The area is fenced in because the park is perched on the cliff. There is one part where the fence jets out a bit and this is perfect for the money shot. The grassy ground is uneven, lots of big rocks, so if you are unstable, like me, bring a walking stick or cane. There are a couple of picnic tables in the shade if you want to enjoy a meal, just take all the trash with you when you leave. The parking lot is very small but I've never had a problem finding a spot. Sunset is my favorite time to visit.

I just did this trail with a local hiking group a few nights ago, and it was hard!…read more We met up in the parking lot at about 6pm, and were on the trail by 615. It took us until about 830 to reach the summit. It's about 3 miles each way, depending which path you take. After about the first mile, the trail splits into "difficult" and "more difficult." We took the difficult side up, and it was pretty steep at times. Most of the trail was relatively wide and smooth, but there were a few rocky/root-y sections. In the last half mile to the top, the blackberry shrubs were taller than I am. The path was so overgrown that we had to push through the branches with our whole bodies. About half a mile from the top, there is a great viewpoint called Puppy Point where you can see the Gorge in both directions, especially to the west. When I saw how much balsam root there was on the hillsides, it made me regret not doing this hike sooner. Now I'm going to have to come back sometime to do it in spring. Once we got to the top, everyone else in the group started sitting down to watch the sunset. I'd forgotten my sweater and headlamp in my car, and I was getting cold. I asked the group how long they thought we would take to hike down, and they said two hours. This was when I decided to part ways. It took me one hour to get down. Good thing my phone was fully charged, because, I needed the flashlight. I accidentally took the more difficult route down, which explains why it seemed steeper than I remembered. For a 6 mile hike, this is a really good hike. My thighs almost feel as ripped as if I just hiked Dipsea or Half Dome.

This is one of the best hikes I've ever been on. It was extremely tough, but absolutely worth it…read more The wildflowers were breathtaking. Extremely windy and foggy at the top. It was rough but I would do it again!

This review is for Tamanawas Falls Trail which was a ~3.4 miles round trip that took ~2 hours to…read morecomplete. This was a short and easy hike towards another stunning waterfall in the Mt Hood, Oregon. Trail was mostly a narrow dirt path that becomes a little more rocky with a steady incline in the second half of the trail. Most of the trail was next to a running creek. Furthermore, there were a bit of flies in the last 0.25 miles to the waterfall. Limited parking area at the trailhead. Restroom available at the parking lot. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/vRrwqvR6rJo

What a beautiful hike! I'd say it's pretty family-friendly overall. There is some uphill hiking and…read moretwo short sections that are a little questionable to get up and over, but we were able to do it with a 9-month-old strapped to one parent, a 3-year-old strapped to the other, a 12-year-old, a 14-year-old, and two grandparents. We loved that most of the trail is shaded by trees, though enough sun still comes through that sunscreen is recommended. Definitely bring water. One of the coolest parts is that you can go up behind the waterfall, but be prepared to climb rocks to get there--it's not an easy walk-up-and-around situation. The hike is about 3.5-3.6 miles. There were a decent number of people there, but it never felt overwhelmingly crowded. Amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, an information kiosk, and dogs are allowed on leash. A $5 day pass, Northwest Forest Pass, or Interagency Pass is required from May 15 to October 1.

Deserves zero stars…read more Stayed here during the summer solace June 2025. Bought a camping pass for camp site #49 and put my reservation receipt on the post at 4pm. As instructed by the campsite rules. Went to a wedding in Hood River to come back to a trailer being parked in the spot I had payed for 4 hours earlier. Keep in mind this is the longest sunlit day of the year and it was still very bright when I arrived. When I asked why my spot was taken and given to someone else, the camp host he said: "So I understand this is uncommon and upsetting to you, but in this county there is a law that states that we can cancel a reservation and sell it to someone else if we believe the campers have left the site". "We recommend leaving camping gear behind in order to keep your spot" So I'm supposed to leave my gear to get stolen? Why did I reserve a spot for 40 dollars only for it to be sold out from under me? The host gave me the run around "I've been here for 11 years, it's legal in this county to sell the spot" I then moved to another spot (which had no river view) and asked the host "you going to kick me out of this one also if I shower for too long"? He wasn't amused by my question and offered to give me some fire wood and snacks if I wanted. I refused his "gifts" and told him he can get out of my face and leave me alone for the rest of the night. The best part of the story is that there were plenty of available spots for the people who stole mine. I believe the campers who took my spot were friends or related to the hosts. It was a prime spot on the river. I searched the laws in the county. There is no such law that states a camp host can do what this camp host did. The host is a liar, thief and a clown. Camper beware!

Small park just outside of Hood River on your way to Dee. While I didn't camp there, I enjoyed…read morewalking the trails listening to the sounds of the river and birds chirping. You park your car and within a few feet, you are immersed in nature. For the kids, there is a swing and play area with green grass and sand area. People were swimming and kayaking in the river. Showers (pay) and toilets available during the in season. You can pay for your campsite via kiosk. Campfires allowed as long as it's not during the dry wildfire season. Its not crowded and is truly serene and peaceful for a site so close to everything.