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.

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.

When researching hiking trails to add to our vacation itinerary, I chose Hamilton Mountain Trail…read morebecause of the waterfalls..Pool of The Winds, Hardy Falls, & Rodney Falls and also, because it was located across the way from Beacon Rock. It was perfect weather for our hike on September 3, 2021 & it took my hubby & I almost 2 hours to hike up to the Pool of The Winds waterfall & back down. We did make multiple stops along the trail to take pictures/videos & to catch our breath. :)) While, I don't consider myself an avid hiker, I do consider myself in pretty good shape BUT I did NOT feel in good shape a few times during our hike up Hamilton Mountain! Going straight up that mountain is no joke! No worries though, I pulled through & made my way up that mountain & back down w/out any assistance...barely! :)) There are a few spots where the climb is very steep & slippery so be mindful of your steps. For sure having actual hiking boots would have served me better than the running shoes, I had on. Okay, so enough of my "out of shape" info..let's move on to the awesomeness of Hamilton Mountain Trail. As you are climbing up the trail, you're surrounded by huge trees & everything around you is so still & just peaceful. There is a small bench for sitting along the way & if you keep going pass that, you eventually come to an open clearing and the waterfalls. The waterfalls themselves are just so awesome! Mother Nature really is displaying her best work when you're standing right next to a waterfall! The Pool of The Winds waterfall was my favorite & there's a bridge right beneath it that is the perfect picture backdrop. I also wanted to add that it wasn't crowded at all during our visit & we did go on a Saturday around 2:30pm. Lastly, there was plenty of parking & a restroom at the beginning of the trail head. Hope this info helps! ~Rebecca out

We hiked Beacon Rock the day before, and this trail is right across the street. In fact, you can…read moreget a good view of Beacon Rock through the trees from the Upper Parking Lot. The hike to Rodney Falls and Pool of the Winds seemed do-able, and we had a short amount of time, so we thought we could knock it out. As we started out, we learned that it had a pretty steep incline, and was a bit of a butt burner on the way up. I'm not an avid hiker, so let's just say I had a bit of a rough time (gasp) with lots of stops for photos (read: to catch my breathe). There are tons of trees for shade, with a few sun spots here and there. Just as I thought I couldn't hike another step, a fellow hiker offered encouragement, letting me know it was just a few minutes farther. And boy was it worth it. Pool of the Winds is a gorgeous falls with a clear pool of mountain water. And there are several spots to get good views of Rodney Falls and to continue on the hike if you choose (I did not!). Easy time going down. Quite a few people had hiking poles, to make it easier on the knees. I'd call this a success! (even with sore legs for a day or two afterward).

Wide paved trail, gorgeous scenery, beautiful vistas. I wish for a continuous trail from The…read moreDalles to Portland.

Sweeping views of the majestic Columbia River and basalt cliffs lead you to the Mosier Twin…read moreTunnels, a stunning piece of engineering that has been restored. Located on the original Scenic Highway, which is now the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and is a car free zone, the trail offers those walking, jogging or cycling stunning views of the Columbia River, beautiful in every season. The trail is 4.5 miles and connects Mosier in the east to Hood River in the west with parking lots on both ends. A State Parks Pass ( $5 ) is required and the views are more than worth it! A payment box and envelopes are provided, but make sure you have a pen to fill in the info. There are restrooms and they are the open toilet type, so this is not the time to drop your cellphone! If you start in Mosier, park in Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead Lot East which is actually past the start of the trailhead. After paying for the pass, head right out of the lot and just a short distance down the hill on the left is the entrance. You will pass through an area filled with granite and lava rocks and many trees damaged by the fires - then you will continue up and the path will run high above and parallel to the river. Parts of the trail have the classic white fence railing and some parts have the original stone railings with arches giving glimpses of the view below. Continue on the trail for approximately one mile and you will arrive at the tunnels. The first tunnel has an incredible wooden structure entry, it's magnificent! As you walk through, it becomes rock and very cavernous. There are a few side passages that lead to windows with views to 18 Mile Island and the river. You will then come to a rock catchment structure, added during restoration in the 1990s, and then the second tunnel. Beyond the tunnels the trail continues west for another 3.4 miles. At the Mark O. Hatfield Parking West, where there is an interpretive center that provides more detail on the tunnels and the Historic Highway. I was in awe of the views and couldn't stop taking pictures along the way! Since it's the end of March, the trees were not yet bloomed so the views of the river were mostly unobstructed. Wildflowers like the grass widow and dessert parsley were just starting to bloom. I'll be back in a few weeks when the trail will be filled with glorious flowers! Ponderosa pines are everywhere as are pinecones! There is a viewpoint right before the East entry to the tunnels. It will only set you back 1/10 of a mile and it's totally worth walking to for a full 180 degree vantage point. There is even a picnic table nearby for resting or a lunch break. These tunnels are a marvel! Built in 1921, the tunnels were created to get through a high rock point. The design was inspired by the Axenstrasse on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Although beautiful and a highlight for those driving this route, rockfalls were common and accidents frequent so the original Scenic Highway was abandoned in 1954 and a new Scenic Highway built at water level. By the 1990s, the tunnels were completely filled with rock rubble; in the mid 90s work began to restore the tunnels. It was a massive undertaking and now the tunnels and road has been transformed for everyone to enjoy. The Mosier Tunnels are a must see! The trail is easy since it's paved - which is a requirement for me and my knees - so it's family friendly and a doable hike for most anyone. There is a gradual elevation to 430 feet if you start on the east side. There is one handicapped parking spot right at the trailhead entry. Dogs on leashes are allowed. Bicycles and e-bikes but no motorized skateboards. If you are walking, be aware of the cyclists as they go fast when heading downhill to the east end. After exploring the Mosier Twin Tunnels, drive down to the quaint town of Mosier and have a delicious tamale, taco or burrito at either of the two taco trucks. Stellar coffee and scones are a must at Randonnee Coffee. Casual dinner at MoCo (Mosier Company) at the outdoor picnic tables and fire pits is always a good choice. And take the short drive up to Rowena Crest for more iconic views!

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.

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.

What a great little place for hiking! I would call it more of a nature walk rather than a hike, but…read morethat's what makes it great for small kids or those in wheelchairs. There are two short trails that are less than a mile each. The Streamwatch Trail takes you along the water and even has a little underwater fish viewing area. There weren't any fish in March, but it must be pretty cool to watch the fish underwater during busier seasons. The Wetlands Trail takes you along a wooden boardwalk to literally go through a wetland area. Most of these trails are stroller/wheelchair friendly, but there are some parts that are on dirt and gravel, which may be a little trickier. There are also a lot of picnic tables along the Streamwatch trail, which would be perfect in warmer weather.

Been meaning to stop by and see what Wildwood has to offer, and finally did last weekend…read more Clearly they have loads to offer in the other seasons, but it's still peaceful and offers up a decent stroll or hike in winter. We took both the Wetlands and Streamwatch trails. You've got to be verrry careful right now on the oh-so slippery boardwalks of the Wetlands. It was very icy throughout the entire trail. The Streamwatch trail winds you through picnic areas, along the river, and by the underwater viewing area. We drove around past other trails and over to the family meadow and picnic area. Plenty of parking and the restrooms that were open were clean. There were a few structures and trail aspects that needed some tending to, but overall it's a lovely recreation area...peaceful now but probably loads of fun for families in the springtime!

Lovely park need more picnic tables. Came with a friend that I was visiting and my daughter and her…read moredog that she had to live with me when she moved to an assisted living facility he so enjoyed being led by all the kids, and it was a very enjoyable afternoon. Thank you for this park.

The largest city park in Hood River encompassing a large city block between May Street and Taylor…read moreAvenue along 13th Street.it is a perfect central location for families to picnic and attend events. There is even a small playground for children. The park is just lovely! The green grass on the sloping hills under beautiful oak and fir trees creates such a lush and peaceful space throughout the year. My favorite time to go to Jackson Park is during the summer when they have concerts on Thursday nights. There is a large wooden Pavillion where the band sets up and there is plenty of room for the large crowds that gather. The park also has movie nights in the summer. The movies are projected onto a large screen and people gather on blankets and chairs with picnics to enjoy a movie under the sky. The park was donated to the City of Hood River in 1939 by a local rancher and wife, Charles & Viaje Jackson. It has been enjoyed by generations ever since. What a gift! There are bathrooms on site and they are generally clean. There is a strip parking lot on the May Street side and parking on Taylor Street.