White River Falls plunges 90 feet over a basalt ledge. The waterfall offers a natural highlight in Wasco; river routes, viewpoints, and historic sites provide other attractions. The differences are also reflected in the trails: a steep canyon descent contrasts with paved riverside paths and a long cycling route. Museums and art venues complement the landscape experiences with cultural and regional history.
Waterfalls, River Views, and Trails
At White River Falls State Park, a steep and strenuous 0.7-mile trail descends into the canyon to a historic hydroelectric plant and continues to Lower White River Falls. Its length and trail conditions provide concrete guidance for anyone who wants to explore this landscape on foot. The waterfall itself plunges 90 feet over a basalt ledge.
Mayer State Park provides access to windsurfing on the windswept Columbia River. Mayer Overlook offers a different perspective: from there, the Columbia River Valley panorama stretches east toward The Dalles. These river landscapes feature both activity on the water and expansive views across the valley.
The Deschutes River State Recreation Area has trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The Deschutes River Trail also provides a 26-mile round-trip bike ride along the river’s east bank. This distinguishes an area with trails for several uses from a specifically designated cycling route.
In The Dalles, the Riverfront Trail runs as a paved path along the south bank of the Columbia River, at its historic bend. The route is eight miles long, and most of it is ADA-accessible. This makes the Riverfront Trail a different kind of river route from the steep canyon trail at White River Falls.
Museums and Regional History
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum features permanent exhibits on the cultural and natural history of the Columbia River Gorge and Wasco County. Its building also has interactive exhibits about the formation of the gorge and the region’s Indigenous peoples. The grounds include walking paths, a pond, viewpoints, and historic artifacts, so a visit combines exhibits with outdoor areas that offer discoveries of their own.
The Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead interprets the military, architectural, agricultural, transportation, and multicultural history unique to the Wasco County area. Exhibits include two homes, a barn, antique vehicles, tools, and personal items from earlier times. The Fort Dalles Museum also offers history programs for local schools, where children learn about pioneer life and gain hands-on experience with artifacts.
Individual buildings also tell the story of The Dalles. The National Neon Sign Museum is housed in the historic Elks Building, which the City of The Dalles donated to the museum in 2015. The Dalles Art Center is located in a historic building that once housed the city’s public library.
Art, Stories, and Getting Around
The Dalles Art Center offers rotating exhibitions, art classes, and events for all ages. Many murals in The Dalles are accompanied by audio commentary. Historians, voices from Indigenous tribes, and the artists themselves share their stories in the commentary. This makes it possible to experience art not only by looking at it, but also through different perspectives and narratives.
Another trace of history is Old St. Peter’s Landmark: the building was constructed in 1897 and dedicated in 1898. For road navigation, the Historic Columbia River Highway runs parallel to I-84 at the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge, between The Dalles and Mosier. The Dalles is the eastern gateway to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.
Discover More Destinations
The Dalles, Dufur, Baker, Umatilla, Jefferson County, Lincoln, Klamath County, Sherman
For the broader travel overview: Oregon.
