Flowing freely between Oregon and Washington, the mighty Columbia River is indeed a sight to see. No matter where visitors may encounter it along its eighty mile long path, they'll know they are experiencing nature at its best. Over four miles wide as it pours into the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River weaves its way through the incredible Columbia Gorge that provides walls up to 4000 feet above the river itself.

Along with being a magnificent natural wonder, the Columbia River provides critical support to the transportation industry. For thousands of years, it has allowed various civilizations to make their living and create homes all along its banks. Today, more than 70,000 people call the Columbia River Gorge their home, and just one visit to the Gorge area, on either side of the river, allows visitors to see why this is such a popular place to put down roots.

Throughout the past several centuries, this spectacular river canyon has cut its way through the Cascade Mountain Range creating the only sea-level route through the mountains. Frequent rainfalls (as most Oregonians know well!) help beautify the area by supplying the many waterfalls all along the gorge. This includes over 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side of the gorge alone! They can be enjoyed by visitors who take the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway (Highway 30) that winds along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge.

One of these spectacular waterfalls can be found about 25 miles west of Portland. The tallest falls in Oregon, Multnomah Falls (and the hike available to the top) provides one of the most spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge (as seen in the picture to the right). No matter how or where vistiors venture along the the Columbia River Gorge, the area simply wows visitors with its natural beauty and its powerful force of water flowing serenely out to meet the Pacific Ocean near Astoria, Oregon.

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