Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area
Outdoor Playland of the Northwest
Life in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area
The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) deep, the canyon stretches for over 80 miles (130 km) as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range forming the boundary between the State of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south. Extending roughly from the confluence of the Columbia with the Deschutes River down to eastern reaches of the Portland metropolitan area, the gorge furnishes the only water connection between the Columbia River Plateau and the Pacific Ocean.
The Gorge economy has traditionally been based on three industries: agriculture, tourism, and sports recreation, but since the late 1990s, high-tech industries, such as aerospace engineering (e.g. Insitu
The Gorge economy has traditionally been based on three industries: agriculture, tourism, and sports recreation, but since the late 1990s, high-tech industries, such as aerospace engineering (e.g. Insitu
Skiing the slopes of Mt Hood
and Hood Technologies), have become the largest employer. Long an agricultural center of the Pacific Northwest, Hood River is home to numerous apple and pear orchards, as well as many wineries.
The Gorge first experienced a boom in tourism after being discovered as a site for world-class windsurfing, and more recently kiteboarding. Hood River County also has some of the best kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, and hiking areas in the United States.
The Gorge first experienced a boom in tourism after being discovered as a site for world-class windsurfing, and more recently kiteboarding. Hood River County also has some of the best kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, and hiking areas in the United States.
Kite sailing event at Event Site at Hood River
The Columbia River Gorge is the western gateway to the Mount Hood Scenic Byway and to a major section of the Historic Columbia River Highway.The Gorge is considered a "sports mecca" and offers some of the best spots for windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, skiing and mountain biking—all for which it draws considerable national attention
There is no better place on the earth to live. Green in the spring, bold in the summer, golden in the fall and white in the winter. The seasons are wild and wonderful.
Ginny Bland