RATING: ♦♦♦♦♦
We made last minute plans for a two-day stay at the Columbia River RV Park in northeast Portland. We were looking forward to full hookups so we could do our laundry. We weren’t expecting to do any sightseeing on this stop, since we’ll be back through this area in a couple of weeks when we’ll be able to stay longer. But after we checked into the campground, the sun came out, and it was a perfect day to explore.
It was a 35 minute drive along the Columbia River to Vista House, which is a small museum and memorial to Oregon pioneers. The site is situated on a rocky promontory, 733 feet above the river, overlooking the Columbia Gorge. The views are spectacular.
While at Vista House, we stopped to talk to a group of young people who were headed to Multnomah Falls. Again, we weren’t planning to do much sightseeing, but it sounded like the falls were pretty close, so we went for it.
Our drive took us along the Historic Columbia River Highway scenic route. There are many beautiful waterfalls along the highway, but because it was getting late in the afternoon, and we especially wanted to see Multnomah Falls, we stopped at only one falls along the way, which was Bridal Veil.
Bridal Veil Falls was a short walk from the highway, but steep downhill. It is very pretty and well worth the hike down and back up. We’re glad we stopped.
But then we arrived at Multnomah Falls, and were blown away by how magnificent it is! The falls is the tallest in Oregon, 620 feet high. The land surrounding the falls was developed in the early twentieth century and includes paved pathways, viewing bridge, and lodge.
The falls attract over two million visitors each year, making it the most-visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest.
