These 6 roadside Columbia River Gorge viewpoints are some of the most accessible and most memorable views in the Columbia River Gorge.
The gorge is known for jaw-dropping views, impressive waterfalls, and scenic drives.
Fortunately, there are some incredible viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge that don’t require hiking!
These viewpoints are perfect for an easy and accessible roadside stop.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about 6 of the best Columbia Gorge viewpoints, including our special tips for each one!
As huge fans of the Columbia River Gorge, we are excited to share our knowledge with you to help you make the most of your time in this special region.
Columbia River Gorge Overview
The Columbia River Gorge is world-renowned for stunning scenery, with a long history of drawing sight-seeing from all over the globe.
In fact, Multnomah Falls is the most visited outdoor recreation site in the Pacific Northwest, and if you haven’t been it is a must see!
While you certainly should check out the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, in this article, we are focusing on viewpoints!
Specifically, we’ll cover the best viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge that don’t require hiking.
Best Viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge
There are a handful of amazing roadside viewpoints in the Columbia Gorge. Each has its own unique charm and varying levels of facilities.
For example, some have a historic site and visitor’s center, and some are just a pull off.
The table below lists the 6 viewpoints mentioned in this article, including the typical drive time from Portland and Hood River.
| Viewpoint Name | State | Drive Time from Portland | Drive Time from Hood River |
| Chanticleer Point Lookout | Oregon | 30 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Vista House at Crown Point | Oregon | 30 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Cape Horn Lookout | Washington | 35 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Cook Underwood Road | Washington | 1 hour 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Panorama Point | Oregon | 1 hour 10 minutes | 6 minutes |
| Rowena Crest Viewpoint | Oregon | 1 hour 20 minutes | 20 minutes |
We’ll discuss each of these viewpoints below, including how to get there, what to expect, and our tips to do it right.
If you have time, you can even see all of these viewpoints in a single day, though we recommend checking out some of the other great things to do in the Columbia River Gorge as well.
Oh, and we should also mention that all of these viewpoints are completely free!
Map of Columbia River Gorge Roadside Viewpoints
Use this interactive map to get your bearings and locate the viewpoints. You can also expand this map to view it in a new window.
Chanticleer Point Lookout
Starting off the list is Chanticleer Point Lookout, also known as the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.
This viewpoint is about 30 minutes from downtown Portland and presents dramatic views of the Columbia Gorge to the north.
The parking lot is fairly small and there are no restrooms. There is some helpful signage explaining the history of this spot.
Situated alongside the western portion of the Historic Columbia River Highway, this same view was an inspiration for those who constructed this highway in the early 1900’s.
In addition, this viewpoint is ideal for appreciating the Vista House at Crown Point from afar. This historic landmark is a special piece of history in the Columbia River Gorge (more on that next).
Our Tips:
- This is our favorite viewpoint of the Columbia Gorge closest to Portland.
- It is an excellent spot for sunset on a clear day.
- Photographers will certainly appreciate the majestic landscape available for capture.
- We suggest stopping by Vista House as well, which is just up the road.
Vista House at Crown Point
Just a view minutes east of Chanticleer Point Lookout lies the historic Vista House at Crown Point, which provides expansive views of the Columbia Gorge to both the north and south.
This sturdy building was constructed in 1917 to provide people a place to stop and rest as they drove along the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Today, it is super fun to explore this viewpoint, both because of the views, but also the history and other facilities located here.
Within the building, there is some informative signage that makes it feel like a miniature museum. Also, there are restrooms, a small cafe, and even a gift shop.
We also love that you can walk around the balcony of the building, adding to the overall experience.
Thankfully, this landmark is managed by the Friends of Vista House (a non-profit group) in partnership with Oregon State Parks. Thank you to the volunteers who keep this place open!
Be aware that to explore the inside of Vista House you must go during open hours, which are Friday to Monday 9 am to 5 pm. Of course, you can still explore the outside and take in the views anytime.
Our Tips:
- Go during open hours (Friday to Monday 9am to 5pm) to explore the inside of the building.
- Spend some time reading the signage about the history of this place.
- Drive just west to Chanticleer Point Lookout to view the Vista House from afar.
- Consider checking out Latourell Falls just a short drive west.
Cape Horn Lookout
Across the river and slightly east of Vista House lies the Cape Horn Lookout, a truly roadside stop along Highway 14 on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge.
There is no parking lot or other facilities here, but rather just a small pullout on the side of the road.
Nonetheless, we think this is definitely worth a quick stop to take in the beautiful views of the Gorge looking north.
On a clear day, you can see all the way to Beacon Rock State Park (which is a great hike by the way) and beyond.
Overall, the Cape Horn Lookout pull off is a great quick stop, but probably not the best place to hangout for a while
Our Tips:
- If you drive to “516-570 Strunk Rd, Washougal, WA 98671”, you can park your car and hike to an upper viewpoint, which is more pleasant to hang out at. This hike is about 0.4 miles round-trip.
- If you want a longer version of this hike, check out the Cape Horn Loop Trail, which has more amazing views.
- There are restrooms a few minutes east at the Cape Horn Trailhead.
- Be careful when pulling off and getting back on the highway in this spot.
- If you look south across the river, you can see the Angel’s Rest hike and maybe see people on the lookout point!
Cook Underwood Road
Staying on the Washington side for now, Cook Underwood Road is another roadside pull off with incredible views looking south and east.
However, this one is a bit more relaxing than the Cape Horn Lookout, as there is more space to pull off and walk around and the road is not as busy.
This spot offers expansive views of Mt. Hood to the south, which just looks absolutely majestic from this spot.
In addition, you can see the Hood River Valley, a productive agricultural region, as well as the town of Hood River, which we definitely recommend visiting at some point.
Do note however, there are no restrooms or other facilities at this viewpoint.
Of course, the Columbia River looks beautiful as always from this spot. Interestingly, the steep cliffs characteristic of the western parts of the Columbia Gorge tend to be less pronounced from this point eastward.
Nonetheless this area is incredibly beautiful and the natural scenery is a main draw for those looking to visit or live in this area.
Our Tips:
- This is one of the best Columbia River Gorge viewpoints for sunrise, as it looks eastward.
- If you want a cold beer, check out Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon, or pFriem Brewing and Ferment Brewing in Hood River.
- Just a few minutes west is the famous Dog Mountain hike, which is steep but super rewarding.
- If you want to learn more about this area of the Gorge, check out our full article about Hood River.
Panorama Point
Let’s jump back over the river to the Oregon side for some more epic views of Mt. Hood from Panorama Point.
This amazing viewpoint is just 6 minutes away from downtown Hood River, which makes it easy to zip over for sunrise or sunset if you are staying in Hood River.
Contrary to most of the other viewpoints on this list, Panorama Point actually does not offer views of the Columbia Gorge itself, but rather focuses on Mt. Hood and the Hood River Valley.
This viewpoint is especially nice in the spring because many of the orchards are blooming, as well as the fall when the trees turn colorful.
Overall, this is a great viewpoint near Hood River and definitely worth a stop. There are restrooms by the way.
Our Tips:
- Enjoy a drive through the orchards in the Hood River Valley.
- During fall and summer, we recommend checking out the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop, a self-guided tour of local farms and businesses.
- If you’re looking for a hike, consider the Hood River Mountain Loop, just a few minutes away from Panorama Point.
Rowena Crest Viewpoint
Last but not least, Rowena Crest Viewpoint is certainly worth a stop if you are passing through the Columbia River Gorge about 20 minutes east of Hood River.
This unique Columbia Gorge viewpoint has so much to offer visitors, and it is certainly one of our favorite stops in the Columbia River Gorge.
Firstly, this viewpoint overlooks a windy section of the Historic Columbia River Highway, which makes for a unique look at this historic road.
Second, the views of the Columbia River Gorge to the east are amazing, and you can really get a sense for what the high desert of Eastern Oregon looks like.
Third, there are tons of incredible wildflowers in April and May. We highly recommend visiting here during spring on a sunny day to fully experience the wildflowers.
Overall, this is one of the best viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge, in our humble opinion.
Our Tips:
- Don’t skip the McCall Point Trail or the Rowena Plateau Trail. Both are mellow but super pretty hikes.
- We love the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, a highly-rated museum with insightful exhibits. This is a great place to learn about the history of the Columbia Gorge.
- If you like exploring small, cute towns, take a stroll through Mosier Oregon. We didn’t know this town existed until we spontaneously stopped on our drive through to check out the farmer’s market.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article helpful and inspiring during your adventure to explore Columbia River Gorge viewpoints.
If you’re looking for more helpful information, check out our other articles about the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood.
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