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Carson, Washington

Top Spots in and near Carson

  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Explore Government Cove

    4.7
    From downtown Portland follow I-84 East for about 50 miles until you reach mile marker 51. Get back on the highway but Westbound until you reach mile marker 47 pull off and take a right over the train tracks and you're there.Beautiful scenery all around and if you get there early enough, you can...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Indian Point via Herman Creek Trailhead

    5.0
    8.08 mi / 3658 ft gain
    Park at the Herman Creek Trailhead in Cascade Locks 2 miles from the exit. Remember to bring your Northwest Forest pass or a $5 payment to park.  Start ascending on the Herman Creek trail a little over a mile until you hit a three-way junction for Gorton Creek Trail #408, Trail #400, and Herman ...
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  • Stevenson, Washington

    Wind Mountain

    5.0
    2.5 mi / 1037 ft gain
    Once you reach the parking lot, walk down the hill and find the trail head, which is easily seen as it is marked. Begin your trek up the trail. The way up is pretty much all uphill, and is a great workout for the legs. You will walk through forests and over many rocks on the way up. As soon as y...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Gorton Creek Falls

    4.7
    1.01 mi / 361 ft gain
    The Gorton Creek Falls hike provides an excellent challenge for those who are searching for a bit of adventure. The trailhead starts at the Wyeth Campground day use area, and continues straight at the intersection. The first 2/3rds of the trail are relatively easy to traverse (depsite being rough...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    North Lake via Wyeth Trail

    1.0
    12.36 mi / 4505 ft gain
    Park at the Wyeth Trailhead parking lot and start hiking south along the old road bed. At the junction with the Gorge-Wyeth Trail, bear left and follow the Wyeth Trail as it goes beneath several power lines. Follow the trail as it goes back into the woods and crosses Harphan Creek. Continue on an...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Emerald Falls

    2.0
    0.65 mi / 308 ft gain
    Start at the Wyreth Campground day-use area. If it's closed, park on the side of the road and walk in from the roadway. You'll see an intersection with a wooden bridge crossing the river.  Take a few pictures and continue straight on the trail. You'll go about 1/2 mile on the trail until you rea...
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  • Stevenson, Washington

    Dog Mountain via Dog Mountain Trail

    4.5
    6.53 mi / 2858 ft gain
    The Dog Mountain trailhead is located halfway between Stevenson and Bingen. Look for the big signed parking area just after milepost 53 (Eastbound). The parking lot fills up quickly, especially during peak wildflower season, so if you can go on a weekday that would be better. There are 3 trails ...
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  • Stevenson, Washington

    Dog Mountain: The Steeper Route

    4.5
    5.55 mi / 2858 ft gain
    If you know the Columbia Gorge, you know Dog Mountain. It's the ever-rewarding, incredibly challenging, insanely popular, calf-burning 6.5-mile hike that attracts hundreds of people every weekend, especially during May and June when the wildflowers are in full bloom.  If you're like me and you h...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Dry Creek Falls via PCT

    4.3
    4.44 mi / 1191 ft gain
    This is a 4.4 mile out and back hike with only 710 feet in elevation gain. From the parking area at the Bridge of The Gods Trailhead, make your way across the road to the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs parallel with I-84. Shortly you'll run into a street that goes under I-84. Make your way up...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Mount Defiance

    3.7
    12.55 mi / 5167 ft gain
    This hike starts at the Starvation Creek Rest Area. After parking, head west back along the shoulder of the freeway, where you’ll see a wooden sign stating “Mt. Defiance Trail.” Continue heading west along the abandoned Columbia River Highway. Keep going west as you pass the junction with the Sta...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Lower Starvation Ridge Loop

    3.7
    2.69 mi / 1001 ft gain
    Starvation Creek Falls is an impressive 190 ft. waterfall just a few feet from the parking lot. If you don't know it's there, you'll miss it. Keep walking past the restrooms, away from the trail head to see this beautiful two-tiered waterfall. There are a couple of picnic tables near the creek to...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Starvation Creek Falls

    3.5
    The Starvation Creek Falls drops 141ft down into a naturally formed bowl, cascading past a wooded picnic area and onto the Columbia River. The falls are one of the easiest falls to access in the Columbia River Gorge along with Multnomah Falls, but are far less Crowded. The short 300ft walk from t...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Warren and Lancaster Falls

    4.5
    1.89 mi / 571 ft gain
    The hike along Mt. Defiance Trail to Warren and Lancaster Falls is great if you want to get away from some of the more crowded destinations in the gorge, or just want to catch some shade during the summer. The trail is fairly easygoing, though the last 1/4th of a mile to Lancaster Falls is a bit ...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Ruckel Ridge Loop

    5.0
    8.08 mi / 3730 ft gain
    This ridge is one of the lesser known paths from the Eagle Creek Trailhead. Instead of taking Ruckel Creek Trail, find the trail leading up Ruckel Ridge. It is a far more difficult hike of about 7 miles leading up to Benson Plateau. Along the way there are beautiful lookout points for Mount Hood,...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Tunnel Falls

    4.4
    11.87 mi / 2874 ft gain
    This hike begins at the Eagle Creek Trailhead. This is the same trailhead that goes to popular Punchbowl Falls. The trail to reach Tunnel Falls is 12 miles roundtrip on an out and back trail. If you continue another 0.5 miles on the trail after Tunnel Falls you will reach Twister Falls. The hike ...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Hike to Mossy Grotto Falls

    2.7
    1.6 mi
    Note: This trail may be closed. Additionally, getting to Mossy Grotto Falls is a very challenging adventure, especially when conditions are muddy.  Before exploring this adventure, consider checking for updates with the Forest Service for the Columbia River Gorge: (541) 308-1700.   This newly di...
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Camping and Lodging in Carson

Cascade Locks / Portland East KOA Holiday
Cascade Locks, Oregon

Cascade Locks / Portland East KOA Holiday

Panther Creek Campground
Carson, Washington

Panther Creek Campground

Eagle Creek Overlook Grp Site
Cascade Locks, Oregon

Eagle Creek Overlook Grp Site

Moss Creek Campground
Cook, Washington

Moss Creek Campground

Beaver Campground
Carson, Washington

Beaver Campground

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta
Carson, Washington

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta

Guides, Insights and Stories from Carson

Ultra Running Around Mt. St. Helens

Ultra Running Around Mt. St. Helens

Rachel Davidson

The Best Campsite Ever: Salmon Creek and Sardine Lakes

The Best Campsite Ever: Salmon Creek and Sardine Lakes

Benjamin Canevari

The 10 Best Campsites near Portland, OR

The 10 Best Campsites near Portland, OR

The Outbound Collective

My Five Favorite Parks in Portland, OR

My Five Favorite Parks in Portland, OR

Adam Edwards

10 Must-Do Winter Adventures near Portland, Oregon

10 Must-Do Winter Adventures near Portland, Oregon

The Outbound Collective