News Release – Columbia River Gorge Fall Activities
Favorite Gorge Trail Closed? Try these Nearby Options Instead!
PORTLAND, Ore. – Due to the ongoing fire and continuing containment efforts from the Eagle Creek Fire, many areas of the Columbia River Gorge remain closed to protect public safety. However, visitors still have many outdoor recreation options nearby. Please consider the following recreation opportunities while fire suppression and recovery work continue on the Eagle Creek Fire.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Washington Side)
• Klickitat Trail (Rails-to-Trails)
• Balfour-Klickitat Area & Trail
• Rafting the White Salmon River
• St. Cloud Day Use Area & Trail
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Oregon Side)
More information on fire closures and restrictions on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Mount St. Helens Area
• Johnston Ridge Observatory & State Highway 504
• Mt. St. Helens East Side
Stevenson/Carson/Wind River Road to 90 Road
• Whistle Punk Trail
• Falls Creek Falls Trail
• Lewis River Lower Falls Day Use Area
• Lewis River Trail
• Curley Creek Falls
Near Trout Lake (Be aware that Indian Heaven Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail remain under closure due to the East Crater Fire.)
• Ice Cave/Natural Bridges
• Big Huckleberry Trail
Near Amboy
More information on Gifford Pinchot National Forest recreation opportunities.
Oregon State Parks
• Memaloose State Park
• Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site
• Government Island State Recreation Area
• Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area
• Milo McIver State Park
Washington State Parks
• Columbia Hills Historical State Park
• Beacon Rock State Park
• Battleground Lake State Park
• Klickitat State Park Trail
Oregon Partners, Friends and Neighbors
• Wildwood Recreation Site (BLM)
• Sandy Ridge Mountain Bike Trails (BLM)
• Oxbow Regional Park
Washington Partners, Friends and Neighbors
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
• Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• Yacolt Burn State Forest
• Lacamas Lake Regional Park
• Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center
Mt. Hood National Forest
Highway 35 Trail Opportunities
• Dog River Trail
• Lookout Mountain Trail
• Eightmile Loop Trail
• Surveyors Ridge Trail
• Fifteenmile Trail
• Knebel Springs Trail
• Cooks Meadow Trail
• Umbrella Falls Trail
• Elk Meadows Trail
• Sahalie Falls Trail
Highway 26 Trail Opportunities
• Crosstown Trail
• Camp Creek Loop
• Enid Lake
• Twin Lakes
• Frog Lake
• Boulder Ridge Trail
• Old Salmon River Trail
• Salmon Butte Trail
• Little Zigzag Falls
• Pioneer Bridle
• Tollgate
• Timothy Lake Area and Trail
• Miller Trail
• Pacific Crest Trail
Highway 224 Trail Opportunities
• Clackamas River Trail
• Alder Flat Trail
• Riverside Trail
More information on Mt. Hood National Forest recreation opportunities.
Be Safe and Know Before You Go!
Some of these trails are categorized as “Difficult,” “Most Difficult,” or enter into designated Wilderness Areas. Visitors are encouraged to check online and with local officials for trail conditions, check weather forecasts, carry the 10 essentials, tell someone your plans, be comfortable with your own physical capabilities, and be willing to turn around as conditions change. Fall is hunting season is underway in the national forests. Visitors are urged to wear bright colors and follow outdoor safety tips here. Driving through the forest is a bit different than traveling through a city or even along the roads within the National Scenic Area. Watch for and obey posted speed limits. Forest Service roads can be narrow, rocky, and are not meant for high speeds. Be careful braking on gravel roads. Allow more time and distance when coming to a stop. Beware of rocks, boulders, road washouts, downed trees and brush on the roadway. Use appropriate tires for the terrain and conditions you’ll be traveling. Remember to stay on authorized roads.
Eagle Creek Restoration Fund
The National Forest Foundation, the nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, has created an opportunity for interested citizens to donate to public lands recovery efforts in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area stemming from the Eagle Creek Fire. Donations will be accepted to fund high-priority, post-fire recovery projects, including reopening hiking trails, restoring wildlife habitat, and planting new trees. The National Forest Foundation will work with the Forest Service to match funds and allocate donations to local partner organizations or local contractors. To donate or learn more about the Eagle Creek Fire Restoration Fund, visit
www.nationalforests.org/get-involved/eagle-creek-fire-restoration-fund.
For more information, contact:
Stephen Baker (Forest Service): 503-964-4291, stephenbaker@fs.fed.us
Chris Havel (Oregon State Parks): 503-986-0722, chris.havel@oregon.gov
Virginia Painter (Washington State Parks): 360-902-8562, virginia.painter@parks.wa.gov
