Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order.
Forest Roads Closed Due to Rain Event
The past few days has shown heavy rainfall as an atmospheric river moved into the Northern Cascade Region bringing 16+ inches of rain to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Forest Service Road 6808 Emergency Closure
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest issued an emergency closure of Forest Service Road 6808 from mile marker 3.9 to mile marker 4.2 due to a sinkhole that has developed in the travel way. Closure timeframe is currently unknown, and travel will resume when roads are repaired.
Rd 2810-041 Yellowjacket Bridge Road Closure
Rd 2810-041 will close Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, and will remain closed until mid-November for redriving piles at Yellowjacket.
Winter Road Closures
Due to large amounts of snowfall, the gates along the fallowing roads will be closed for the winter season. This routine seasonal gate closure is important for public safety as these roads are not maintained and become hazardous in the winter.
Washout on Forest Road 93
Forest Road 93 is closed at milepost 6.95 due to a severe washout. Road signs are posted at the beginning of each side of FR 93 to alert drivers of the inability to drive the entire length of road.
Upper State Route 504 closed at milepost 45.2 due to large slide
Closure: Upper State Route 504/Spirit Lake Memorial Highway is closed between mileposts (MP) 45.2 and 51 until further notice with a possible re-opening date sometime in 2026. Johnston Ridge Observatory and Loowit Viewpoint is inaccessible by vehicle
Adams Fork Bridge Closed (FR 5601)
The Adams Fork Bridge on FR 5601 at MP 2.0 on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District is CLOSED.
Forest Road 2801 Closure
Forest Road 2801 is closed on both ends of the road due to a washout at milepost 0.25 and a large slide at milepost 7.
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order.
Debris Removal on Salmon River Road
Significant roadwork is occurring on Salmon River Road (Forest Road 2618) on the Zigzag Ranger District beginning Friday, January 16 through at least Monday January 19. Large vehicles on the roadway will impact visitors accessing Old Salmon River Trail.
Winter Storm Closure - Forest Order
(Effective through Jan. 31, 2026) To protect public and Forest Service staff's safety following the 2025 winter storm event as well as prevent road and natural resource damage, a temporary closure order is in place on select roads on the Clackamas River & Zigzag Ranger Districts.
Bagby Hot Springs CLOSED
Bagby Hot Springs is closed. A landslide has closed Forest Road 70, preventing access to the springs.
Tamanawas Falls Trail #650A is CLOSED
Tamanawas Falls Trail #650A is CLOSED due to heavy damage from the December storms. Tamanawas Falls Trail #650A is blocked by multiple slides and completely washed out and destroyed in one section, making Tamanawas Falls inaccessible via that route.
Hazards from Winter Storms
Heavy rains and strong winds have created many hazards across Mt. Hood National Forest and surrounding areas. December storms resulted in downed trees on Forest Roads in addition to localized flooding, landslides, and rockfall.
Sno-park Permits required Nov. 1 to Apr. 30
Sno-Park Permits are required to park in designated sno-parks from November 1 through April 30. Sno-Park Permits are managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
Eagle Creek Fire Area Closures - Forest Order
In 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire caused extensive damage to surrounding areas in Columbia River Gorge and parts of Mt. Hood National Forest. Some trails are closed to the public in both the Gorge and Hood River Ranger District, pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b).
Health and Safety Closure Due to Roadside Danger Trees - Forest Order
The following acts are prohibited upon the National Forest System Roads described below. Forest Order #06-06-05-25-03 renews Order 06- 06-06-00-23-01, and will be effective June 26, 2025, through June 26, 2026.PROHIBITIONS:
Crane Creek bridge closed on the Barlow Road
The Crane Creek bridge on the Barlow Road (Forest Road 3530) is collapsed and closed. The Barlow Road is open, but it can't be driven from end to end.
Air Stagnation Advisory issued January 18 at 9:09PM PST until January 20 at 4:00PM PST by NWS Pendleton OR
* WHAT...Poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air conditions near the surface that will continue to trap pollutants. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and northeast Oregon and central, south central, and southeast Washington. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Poor air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems.
Freezing Fog Advisory issued January 18 at 1:42PM PST until January 18 at 2:00PM PST by NWS Pendleton OR
* WHAT...Poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air conditions near the surface that will continue to trap pollutants. * WHERE...In Oregon, Central Oregon and North Central Oregon. In Washington, Kittitas Valley. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Poor air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Area coverage of freezing fog has reduced since this morning, but lingering fog along parts of I-82, I-97, and Highway 126 will persist through the next couple of hours. Expecting more freezing fog to redevelop overnight tonight for the region.
Air Stagnation Advisory issued January 18 at 1:42PM PST until January 20 at 4:00PM PST by NWS Pendleton OR
* WHAT...Poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air conditions near the surface that will continue to trap pollutants. * WHERE...In Oregon, Central Oregon and North Central Oregon. In Washington, Kittitas Valley. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Poor air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Area coverage of freezing fog has reduced since this morning, but lingering fog along parts of I-82, I-97, and Highway 126 will persist through the next couple of hours. Expecting more freezing fog to redevelop overnight tonight for the region.
Air Stagnation Advisory issued January 18 at 1:42PM PST until January 20 at 4:00PM PST by NWS Pendleton OR
* WHAT...Poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air conditions near the surface that will continue to trap pollutants. * WHERE...Foothills of the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington, Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington, Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, Yakima Valley, and Simcoe Highlands. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Poor air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems.
Overview
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a spectacular 80-mile river canyon cutting up to 4,000 feet deep through the Cascade Mountain Range, spanning portions of Oregon and Washington. The area is currently open with several important closures to note from December 2025 winter storms. Multiple trails are closed due to windfalls, landslides, and collapsed trail tread, particularly in the Eagle Creek Fire burn scar. The Historic Columbia River Highway (US 30) east viaduct at Multnomah Falls is closed through spring 2026 for structural repairs. Larch Mountain Road is closed above the snow gate near Milepost 10 (typical seasonal winter closure, reopens late spring). Eagle Creek area remains under long-term forest closure order through July 2026. The scenic area features dramatic climate zones from lush western conifer forests to eastern grasslands due to the Cascades' rain shadow effect. Standard camping limits are in effect (14-day limit in 30-day period), and drone use is prohibited at developed sites. Fire danger is currently low. The area is actively managed and remains a world-class destination for hiking, waterfalls, and scenic drives despite ongoing recovery efforts from past fires and recent storm damage.
Campgrounds
- Ainsworth State Park
- Beacon Rock State Park Campground
- Benson State Recreation Area
- Columbia Hills State Park Campground
- Eagle Creek Campground
- Eagle Creek Overlook Group Site
- Guy W. Talbot State Park
- Herman Creek Campground
- Memaloose State Park
- Rooster Rock State Park
- Viento State Park
- Woodard Creek Campground
- Wyeth Campground
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