When folks talk about visiting the Columbia River Gorge, they tend to mean the Oregon side of the river and the Historic Columbia River Highway. However, it turns out that there is a lot to do and see on the Washington side as well along the Evergreen Highway.

We are assuming that you will drive our itinerary on a weekend; if so, you will need to drive directly to Vancouver and start from there, as a visit to the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a key element to the itinerary and the site is closed on Sunday.

When to visit: every site on our itinerary is open year-round with the exception of Maryhill Museum of Art, which is open March 15 to November 15, which makes that window the best time to drive the itinerary. Check each location entry for holiday closures before planning your visit.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

The grounds are open daily dawn to dusk and are closed Thanksgiving, December 24, 25, 31, and New Year’s Day. Dogs on a leash are welcome on the park grounds but not within the reconstructed fort. Dog owner must pick up any dog waste. Attractions within the historic site are open Tue-Sat 9-4 (Visitor Center 9-5). Plan two to 2.5 hours for your visit.

Fort Vancouver Visitor Center: A theatre within the visitor center offers a short movie about the Hudson’s Bay Company fort. 1501 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661. Free Admission. Restrooms and book store/gift shop on site.

Reconstructed Hudson’s Bay Company Fort: the original fort was constructed in 1825 and served as the headquarters of the London-based fur trading enterprise’s western operations. The fort burned to the ground in 1866; years of archeological work, begun in 1947, preceded reconstruction of the fort on the footprint of the original fort. Patches of asphalt show where buildings existed that were not reconstructed. The fort offers a fascinating view of what it was like on the western frontier almost two centuries ago. The park rangers are amazingly knowledgeable so ask lots of questions—especially in the fur house and, if you’re lucky and the living history folks are present, in the blacksmith shop. 1001 E 5th St, Vancouver, WA 98661, 360-816-6230. Admission: $10 or Free with America the Beautiful Pass, 15 and under Free.

Pearson Air Museum: Pearson Air Field has an interesting history, beginning as the Vancouver Barracks Aerodrome in the early 1920s. Notable events include the 1924 landing here of two of the Douglas World Cruisers as they were about to begin the first circumnavigation of the globe and the 1937 landing of the Soviet Union’s ANT-25 aircraft after making a non-stop flight from Moscow over the north pole. Pearson Field was decommissioned at the end of World War II but remains a busy municipal airfield. 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver, WA 98661, 360-816-6232. Free Admission.

The Marshall House

If your visit to the Fort Vancouver National Historical site happens to be Wed-Fri rather than a weekend, then make sure to visit this Vancouver jewel on Officers Row. This Queen Anne Victorian house is named in honor of General George C. Marshall, who lived here from 1936 to 1938 while serving as commander of the barracks. The tour is 30 minutes and admission is free. Public parking is available on Evergreen Blvd, across the street from the Marshall House. Open: Wed-Fri 10-2. Plan on 30 minutes for your visit.

Clark County Historical Museum

The beautiful building that houses the museum began as a Carnegie Library but has been the home of the Clark County Historical Museum for more than a half-century. The historical society offers many historical treasures and exhibits about the region’s rich and diverse history. Plan on 45 minutes to one hour for your visit.

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660, 360-993-5679. Open: Tue-Sat 11-4. Admission: Adult $5, 62+ and students 18+ with ID $4, 5-17 $3, 4 and under with adult Free. Restrooms and small gift shop on site.

Dinner and Accommodations

Day two of our weekend itinerary will be a full day! With that thought in mind we suggest acquiring accommodations in Camas or Washougal—you’ll be that much closer to the start of your trek headed east along the Evergreen Highway. Best Western Plus Port Of Camas-Washougal Convention Center is perfectly placed right off Highway 14, with an indoor pool and free breakfast. 121 S 2nd St, Washougal, WA 98671, 360-835-9292. Other options are found further west toward Vancouver.

Dinner: Puffin Café happens to be within walking distance of the Best Western hotel above, heading south toward the river to the marina. Enjoy a Caribbean menu and views of the river. 14 S A St, Washougal, WA 98671, 360-335-1522. Open: daily 11-8:30.

Day Two Begins Early

We really suggest leaving the hotel no later than 7:00—earlier than that, even better! You will need to arrive at Maryhill Museum of Art by 4:00 at the latest in order to visit the museum, as it closes at 5:00 and you’ll be glad you didn’t miss it.

Time Management: we don’t like a rushed schedule but there is so much we’d like you to see on the itinerary; below is a planning schedule that leaves 30 minutes of leeway, based upon leaving the hotel at 7:00 am. Of course, you might choose to skip some entries in order to leave the hotel later or to free up more time at other sites.

> 1 hour, 45 minutes: total drive time from Washougal to Maryhill Museum of Art.

> 20 minutes: Cape Horn Falls Overlook

> 2 hours: Beacon Rock

> 1 hour: Bonneville Dam Visitor Center

> 10 minutes: Historical Marker #19-Bridge of the Gods

> 1 hour: Lunch in Stevenson

> 1.5 hours: Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum

> 1.5 hours: Maryhill Museum of Art

Cape Horn Falls Overlook

From Vancouver, head east on SR-14/Evergreen Highway; you will find it a beautifully scenic drive! You will come to the overlook after about 26 miles. However, the overlook trail is not marked on the road but if you enter Cape Horn Falls into your navigation app it will tell you when you are arrived; turn right to the pull out and park. A visible trail will lead you on an easy to moderate hike of a few hundred feet to the overlook and a great view of the river. Plan on 20-30 minutes for the stop.

2000 feet further on SR-14 will lead you to another pull out, Cape Horn Overlook. This one is marked, and no hike required, just a view over the guardrail.

Beacon Rock State Park

Continue east on SR-14 for about eleven miles and turn right into the parking lot in Beacon Rock State Park. A Washington State Discover Pass or a $10 day use fee is required for access; an automated pay station is on site to purchase either a day pass or a yearly Discover Pass.

Beacon Rock State Park is a treat. Many interpretive panels educate the curious traveler about the geological history of the rock and the Columbia River Gorge and also about Lewis and Clark’s journey through the gorge—in fact, Clark’s naming of this prominent landmark remains its name today.

A switchback trail takes you up the 848-foot-high Beacon Rock and treats you to stunningly spectacular views of the gorge. The trail, 1.5 miles up and back, is of moderate difficulty but the effort is worth it! You’ll find one final interpretive panel at the very top of the rock that includes congratulations for reaching the top! Be sure to bring plenty of water, and perhaps a hat and sunscreen—and wear good hiking shoes.

Dogs are welcome in the park and all the way to the top of the rock, but be sure to have a good, tight leash or harness on your furry friends to avoid risk of losing them over the side of the switchback trail. Of course, the owner must pick up any dog waste.

Restrooms are available near the east end of the parking lot. Plan on two hours for your visit if you climb to the top of Beacon Rock (at least moderate difficulty).

Bonneville Dam Washington Shore Visitor Center

From Beacon Rock continue east on SR-14 for a little more than five miles and turn off to the right to the road that leads to the visitor center. You will need to pass through a security guard post and the guard staff are likely to ask you to pop the trunk or open the back hatch for a security check. Note: no firearms are allowed past the checkpoint.

The visitor center is a great visit—and free. Exhibits include the history of the dam’s construction, completed in 1938, and its current operation, how the dam is designed to allow migratory fish runs, how indigenous tribes of the gorge lived and managed their resources, and, probably the most popular, the fish viewing gallery. Plan on one hour for your visit.

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Bonneville Dam Visitor Center, Dam Rd, North Bonneville, Washington 98639, 541-374-8820. Open: daily 9-5, closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Admission: Free.

WA State Historical Marker #19 – Bridge of the Gods

From the dam, return to SR-14 going east less than a mile; only a few hundred feet past the Bridge of the Gods, turn right into the parking lot. The Bridge of the Gods is a toll bridge constructed in 1926, raised and extended in 1938 due to higher water levels from Bonneville Dam. Interpretive panels make it worth the stop to curious travelers. Portable toilets on site. Plan on 10 minutes for the stop.

Lunch in Stevenson

By this time you’re likely hungry for lunch and there are several options just down SR-14 in Stevenson—and may we make a suggestion? Big River Grill—great restaurant with great food! 192 2nd St, Stevenson. Other options: Clark & Lewie’s Travelers Rest Saloon & Grill, 130 SW Cascade Ave, Stevenson. Red Bluff Tap House, 256 2nd St, Stevenson.

Faster option: if time is an issue, a grab-and-eat-on-the-go option is available with a stop at Subway, 220 SW 2nd Street Suite B, Stevenson.

Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum

From lunch, backtrack just a few thousand feet and visit what turned out to be a fantastic museum covering the broad spectrum of Columbia River Gorge history, from the first peoples to live along the river to the coming of the early Euro-American explorers and settlers and displaying and educating about the industries that brought development to the region. There is a lot to see and read—plan on 1.5 to two hours for your visit.

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum, 990 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson, WA 98648, 509-427-8211. Open: daily 10-5; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $10, 60+ $8, Students $8, 6-12 $6, 5 and under Free. Gift shop on site.

Maryhill Museum of Art

From Stevenson drive about 64 miles and turn right to the museum.

This is a great museum with a wide array of subject matter. The name should include “and Culture” due to its wonderful exhibits. You will learn about Sam Hill and his vision for the region, Hill’s friendship with Queen Marie of Romania and her gifts to the museum, Auguste Rodin, the father of modern sculpture, exhibits from all nine regions of indigenous North American peoples, and so much more. Plan on 1.5 to two hours for your visit.

Online ticket purchase is recommended but not required. Go here to purchase tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1014946/maryhill-museum-of-art-goldendale-maryhill-museum-of-art

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Maryhill Museum of Art, 35 Maryhill Museum of Art Drive, Goldendale, WA 98620, 509-773-3733. Open: daily 10-5, Mar 15-Nov 15. Admission: Adults $16, 65+ $13, College w/student ID $10, 7-18 $5, 6 and under Free. Café and gift shop on site.

Lewis and Clark Overlook

The overlook is placed at the eastern edge of the Maryhill Museum grounds. A concrete ribbon sculpture frames capsule views of the surrounding landscape; a pathway surrounds the sculpture and takes the stroller through a native plant garden featuring plants collected by Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery during their momentous 1805-1806 trek. Interpretative panels are placed to inform and educate the visitor. Plan on 15-20 minutes for your visit.

Stonehenge Memorial

From Maryhill Museum of Art, drive west on SR-14 about two miles and turn right onto Stonehenge Drive.

Sam Hill envisioned the Stonehenge Memorial as a memorial to both heroism and peace and as a reminder of the “incredible folly” of the war. The monument, the first in the nation to honor the dead of World War I, was dedicated in 1918 even as the war in Europe continued to be fought. The memorial honors the 14 men from Klickitat County who lost their lives in the war. A second memorial, constructed in 1995, honors the fallen in the wars since World War I. Open: daily 7-dusk.

That finishes our Washington side Columbia River Gorge itinerary and it’s time to head home. We hope you enjoyed your weekend trip and are planning for your next Hit the Road itinerary!

Updated June 2024