Columbia Gorge east: Crown Point to Maryhill
Both sides of the Columbia River Gorge, from Vista House and Beacon Rock to the looping curves at Rowena, rock art and a concrete Stonehenge.
- Distance
- 205 km (127 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 16 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 9
- States
- OR, WA
- Updated
- July 12, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 205 km (127 mi) with 9 stops, from Portland to Goldendale. About 2 h 16 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Oregon, Washington · More road trips from Portland
Route description
From Portland, take I-84 east to Corbett and climb onto the Historic Columbia River Highway to Vista House at Crown Point, a stone rotunda high above the river. The old highway continues past waterfalls to rejoin I-84. Cross the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks, which charges a small toll, to reach SR-14 on the Washington side.
Beacon Rock, a few miles west on SR-14, is climbed by a trail of switchbacks and railings to its summit; a Discover Pass is required to park in Washington state parks. Drive east on SR-14 to White Salmon and cross the toll bridge to Hood River, a windsurfing town with orchards and breweries on its hillsides.
East of Hood River, leave I-84 at Mosier for the Historic Columbia River Highway, which climbs through cherry orchards to Rowena Crest. The viewpoint looks down on the road’s looping curves; in April and May wildflowers cover the Tom McCall Preserve. The road then drops to The Dalles, a river town with fuel and stores.
Cross the Columbia on US-197 to Washington and follow SR-14 east to Columbia Hills Historical State Park, where the She Who Watches petroglyph can be seen on guided walks booked in advance. Further east, Maryhill Stonehenge is a full-size replica built as a war memorial. From there, US-97 climbs north to Goldendale, which has an observatory and campgrounds.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Portland
OR - 241 km
Vista House
ViewsCorbett, ORA 1918 stone rotunda on Crown Point, high above the Columbia River on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The views run for miles up the gorge; it is extremely windy in winter.
- 324 km
Beacon Rock State Park
ViewsSkamania, WAA volcanic plug on the Washington bank of the Columbia, climbed by a trail of about 50 switchbacks and railings to an 848-foot summit. A Discover Pass is needed to park.
- 448 km
Hood River
OR - 521 km
Rowena Crest Viewpoint
ViewsMosier, ORA viewpoint above the looping curves of the Historic Columbia River Highway, next to the Tom McCall Preserve. Wildflowers cover the plateau in April and May; the grassy trails are open to walkers only.
- 616 km
The Dalles
OR - 710 km
Columbia Hills Historical State Park
HistoryDallesport, WAA riverside park at Horsethief Lake with Native American petroglyphs moved from lands flooded by The Dalles Dam. The famous She Who Watches image can be seen only on free guided walks booked ahead.
- 828 km
Maryhill Stonehenge
OdditiesMaryhill, WAA full-size concrete replica of Stonehenge built by Sam Hill as a First World War memorial, on a bluff above the Columbia. It is free and open daily, off SR-14 east of the Maryhill Museum.
- 917 km
Goldendale
WA
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Portland → Hood River · 70 mi · 1 h 15 minOn the way: Vista House, Beacon Rock State Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Home Valley Campground (12 mi); Wyeth Campground (12 mi).
- Day 2: Hood River → Goldendale · 57 mi · 1 h 01 minOn the way: Rowena Crest Viewpoint, The Dalles, Columbia Hills Historical State Park, Maryhill Stonehenge.Overnight nearby, for example: Columbia Hills State Park Campground (18 mi); Brooks Memorial State Park Campground (12 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Columbia Gorge east: Crown Point to Maryhill?
2-day road trip of about 205 km (127 mi) with 9 stops, from Portland to Goldendale. About 2 h 16 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Columbia Gorge east: Crown Point to Maryhill?
We suggest 2 days: about 2 h 16 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Columbia Gorge east: Crown Point to Maryhill start and end?
It starts in Portland and ends in Goldendale.
Which states does Columbia Gorge east: Crown Point to Maryhill pass through?
Oregon and Washington.
Where can you camp along Columbia Gorge east: Crown Point to Maryhill?
OpenStreetMap lists 109 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Home Valley Campground, Columbia Hills State Park Campground and Columbia River RV Park.
When is the best time for Columbia Gorge east: Crown Point to Maryhill?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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