Rowena Crest Viewpoint — Attraction in The Dalles

Breathtaking scenery. This is so much more than a place to sit on the rock wall to take a foot selfie (although you should, because that's almost as iconic as the PDX carpet foot selfie.)

We're binocular & camera people, not hikers, so we quietly watched the area around the bluffs and found 2 golden eagle nests up on poles down between the highway and railroad tracks. As soon as we spotted the nests, we became aware of over a dozen huge golden eagles soaring over the bluffs, hunting for lunch.

On the river west of the town of Lyle, WA, we watched wind surfers and paragliders do their thing.

We visited on Mother's Day and while the parking lot was busy, and cars were parked along the road, we easily found a parking spot less than 10ft from the famous view of the hairpin curve you see in so many of the photos of Rowena Crest.

If you're visiting Portland and plan to visit Multnomah Falls, this spectacular viewpoint is only a short drive west on Hwy 30 or I-84 (your choice.) Add this to your must of must-see places.

If you're a local and haven't been here yet, drop what you're doing right now and go there asap.

Our next visit to the viewpoint will be to watch the sunrise in...

​Rowena Crest Viewpoint is an iconic and unforgettable stop along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The view alone justifies the detour: a breathtaking panorama of the vast Columbia River Gorge, framed by arid cliffs and the famous, highly-photographed Rowena Loops—the dramatic horseshoe curves of the old highway winding up the bluff. ​This location is fantastic because it caters to both casual sightseers and hikers. You can spend 15 minutes snapping photos from the paved overlook, or dedicate hours to exploring the adjacent Tom McCall Preserve. The easy, 2-mile Rowena Plateau Trail offers stunning close-up views of the unique semi-arid landscape and basalt formations. For a more challenging trek, the McCall Point Trail climbs higher for even more expansive views. ​The best time to visit is late spring (April/May), when the entire plateau is covered in a spectacular bloom of yellow balsamroot and purple lupine wildflowers. Be prepared for strong winds and little shade, regardless of the season, but the free, year-round access and stunning natural beauty make Rowena Crest an absolute must-see...

Beautiful hike with kids—worth the climb! We did the Rowena Crest Trail with our 5-year-old, and it took us about an hour to reach the top at a comfortable pace with breaks. It’s not a super short trail, but it’s doable for young kids if you take it slow and come prepared. The trail has a steady incline and some narrow spots, but nothing too difficult. Our child enjoyed the adventure, especially spotting wildflowers and varieties of plants.

The views at the top are absolutely breathtaking—totally worth the effort! We packed plenty of water and snacks, which made a big difference. There’s some shade and no water along the trail, so hats, sunscreen, and good shoes are a must. We had a snack break while enjoying the view on top.

Overall, it’s a great moderate hike for families who want to spend time in nature and don’t mind a bit of a climb. Just be patient, go at your child’s pace, and enjoy...