W E L C O M E T O
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R O U T D A L E
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Visitors to Troutdale, Oregon will find a small town atmosphere
and an historic downtown with restaurants, two historic museums, and specialty
shops. The outlet mall at Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets® also has a wide array of shops.
As the Gateway to the Columbia Gorge, Troutdale has very special
advantages for year-round recreation. Using Troutdale as the ideal
starting point for your Gorge experience, take Exit 17 and follow
the signs to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Stop in at the
Visitor Center at the Chamber of Commerce for information and
continue on the highway along the Sandy River Canyon to such sights
as Crown Point, where you can overlook the western end of the
Gorge. As you drive, view over eleven waterfalls including the
famous Multnomah Falls, then experience the scenic wonder of the
Oneonta Gorge. Once past this point, you can continue on I-84
into the Gorge and its many famous sights, which include Bonneville
Dam, Cascade Locks, and further east to Hood
River and The Dalles.
If you cross to the Washington side of the gorge at Cascade Locks,
you can visit the Interpretive Center.
Fishing spots are abundant in and around Troutdale. The Sandy
River is considered to be the top producing steelhead stream in
the state of Oregon, with great runs of spring and fall salmon.
Drift boat and raft trips are available. The Columbia River has
the largest runs of salmon and steelhead of any river in the continental
United States, with populations of walleye, bass, shad and sturgeon.
Picnicking along the Sandy River offers beautiful scenery, swimming
and trails for hiking. State parks such as Lewis and Clark offer
boat ramps to the Sandy River, as does Dabney State Park.
Boating is very popular in the area. From Troutdale you can access
the Sandy River and the Columbia River at Lewis and Clark State
Park, Sundial Marina and Chinook Landing on the Columbia River.
Hiking along the trails in the Columbia River Gorge begins along
Broughton Bluff in Troutdale at Lewis and Clark State Park. From
there you can drive along the Scenic Highway towards the waterfall
area where there are several great hiking trails for a full day's
worth of exercise.
Windsurfing is available within an hour's drive from Troutdale
in Hood River. Considered
to be the windsurfing capital of the world, the Columbia River
Gorge offers conditions that make an exciting adventure for the
windsurfing enthusiast.
Museums in Troutdale are rich in the history of the early settlers
of the Northwest. Harlow House Museum, part of the city park system,
is located in a home built in 1900 by Fred E. Harlow, son of Captain
John Harlow, Troutdale's founder. The contents of the house include
household goods from the Harlow and other pioneer families, as
well as many items donated by residents of the Troutdale area.
The Harlow House is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Behind the Harlow House you can see historic ruts made by the wagon
wheels of early settlers.
The Historical Society also hosts the Troutdale Rail Museum, located
on the Historical Highway in downtown Troutdale. The structure
was built in 1907, and was the shipping site of carloads of fresh
vegetables. The depot was given to Troutdale by Union Pacific
Railroad in 1976, and was moved from its original site on the north
side of the tracks to its present location. Inside, you will find
many railroad artifacts dating from the 1800's and early 1900's.
Since it's just a short distance from Portland,
Troutdale is also a staging ground for all the amenities that
Oregon's "big city" has to offer. For recreation, shopping
or history, Troutdale has the experience of a lifetime.
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