Discover Wasco: Waterfalls, River Trails and History

A trip to Wasco can focus on nature, outdoor activities or culture. Waterfalls on the White River, river trails, and historical and artistic attractions offer concrete starting points. When planning, it helps to distinguish between scenic viewpoints, a route explicitly described as steep and strenuous, longer trails and museum exhibits.

Waterfalls and River Landscapes

White River Falls plunges 90 feet over a basalt ledge. At White River Falls State Park, a 0.7-mile, steep and strenuous trail leads into the canyon to a historic hydroelectric plant and continues to Lower White River Falls. This is not merely a viewpoint: the trail leads into the canyon to the historic hydroelectric plant and continues to Lower White River Falls.

Mayer Overlook offers panoramic views of the Columbia River Valley to the east, toward The Dalles. This viewing direction gives the landscape a clear sense of orientation and makes the overlook a distinct way to take in the river valley.

Mayer State Park provides access to windsurfing on the windy Columbia River. Meanwhile, trails in Deschutes River State Recreation Area are open to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. This gives you a choice of different ways to get outdoors when planning, without every route being geared toward the same activity.

Understanding Trails and Routes

The Deschutes River Trail offers a 26-mile round-trip bike ride along the river’s east bank. By contrast, the Riverfront Trail in The Dalles is a paved path along the Columbia River’s south bank, at its historic bend. It extends for eight miles, and most of it is ADA-accessible. The distances describe different types of routes: the Deschutes River Trail is specified as a round-trip bike ride, while the Riverfront Trail’s distance refers to the length of the path.

Road routes can also help orient your trip planning. At the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge, the Historic Columbia River Highway runs parallel to I-84 between The Dalles and Mosier. The Dalles is the eastern gateway to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.

Museums, History and Art

The grounds of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum include walking trails, a pond, viewpoints and historic artifacts. Inside, interactive exhibits explore how the gorge was formed and the Indigenous peoples of the region. Permanent exhibits also focus on the cultural and natural history of the Columbia River Gorge and Wasco County. The offerings therefore cover both the landscape and the region’s history.

Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead interprets the military, architectural, agricultural, transportation and multicultural history unique to the Wasco County area. On display are two homes, a barn, antique vehicles, tools and personal items from earlier times. Fort Dalles Museum also offers history programs for local schools, where children learn about pioneer life and gain hands-on experience with artifacts.

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. It hosts changing exhibitions, art classes and events for all ages.

The murals in The Dalles also tell local stories, and many are accompanied by audio commentary. Historians, members of Indigenous tribes and the artists themselves contribute their voices. Together with the museums and the Art Center, the murals offer another way to explore history and art in different forms, from gallery exhibitions to stories told at a mural.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dufur, The Dalles, Umatilla, Linn, Hood River, Union County, Harney County, Coos County.

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