Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Oregon National Historic Trail The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum is located on a 54-acre point of land adjacent to the Columbia River and is the interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This area includes one of the oldest continuously occupied places in North America (over 11,000 years) and parts of the Lewis and Clark and Oregon Trails. On the grounds are walking trails, a pond, scenic overlooks, and historic artifacts. The 48,200 square foot Discovery Center & Museum building contains interactive exhibits about the creation of the gorge; Ice Age animals, including a full-size Columbian mammoth; the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery; native peoples of the area; and a life-size exhibit featuring a wagon-raft braving the Columbia River’s current. This is an excellent stop for families with children. Allow several hours for your visit. Modest admission is charged. SITE INFORMATION:Safety Considerations More Site Information Oregon National Historic Trail Quick Facts Location:5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, Oregon Significance:Interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area MANAGED BY:Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Museum Inside the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum
Hat Rock State Park
Hat Rock State Park Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Hat Rock is an erosion remnant warn way by floods from glaciers which melted over ten thousand years ago. Lewis and Clark saw this monument on their expedition and noted that it had a strong resemblance to a man’s hat. Imagine seeing this otherworldly boulder in the middle of a field of rolling hills in a vast, unexplored territory. The members of the expedition must have felt like they were on a different planet! While visiting Hat Rock today doesn’t have the same element of surprise, visitors will be able to enjoy a truly unique and beautiful landscape. The main attraction is of course, Hat Rock, and most people hike in the park to admire its natural beauty. Outside of Hat Rock, there are fields of scrub-land peppered with flowers as well as lush trees surrounding bodies of water. The park has its own pond, which is popular for fishing as it is teeming with rainbow trout. It also has access to a lake, a great place for water sports, and a sand volleyball court near the weather shelters. It is a perfect place for the whole family to experience the beauty of Oregon along the Columbia River. Quick Facts Location:Hermiston, OR MANAGED BY:Oregon State Park