#4518 Gorging on the Scenic View from Vista House in Corbett, Oregon

Some of Oregon’s best scenery is just an hour’s drive from downtown Portland. From I-84, take the twisty, narrow Historic Columbia River Highway up to Crown Point State Park for a bird’s eye view. The recently renovated octagonal stone structure at the top, Vista House, was originally built in 1916 as a memorial to Oregon pioneers and as a comfort station for travelers. Today, it’s the most photographed icon of the Columbia River Gorge. Sweeping panoramas of the Columbia River (natural border between Oregon and Washington) are quite impressive from the 733-foot vantage point. Don’t put your camera away yet, though, because you’ll want to stop at several dramatic waterfalls as you wind your way back down from Crown Point.