Here’s How Oregon Forests and Waterfalls Could Reopen in the Coming Weeks

Temperatures are warming; we’re closing in on the unofficial kickoff to summer, Memorial Day weekend; and after weeks cooped up at home, everyone is going a little stir crazy. Fortunately, Gov. Kate Brown does have a path to get you outdoors for some recreation, and those details were released this morning. As part of Oregon’s phase one to reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, all agencies overseeing parks and outdoor facilities will need to enact multiple safety measures to keep people physically separated and ensure conditions remain as sanitary as possible.

Some Washington State Parks Will Reopen Next Week, But Not in the Gorge

If word that Washington State Parks were just days away from reopening had you dusting off your hiking boots and eyeing trail maps, don’t even think about making a run for the state border and heading for the Gorge. Yes, it’s true that our northern neighbor will allow the public to access some popular recreation areas starting Tuesday, May 5–but that does not include any properties in the Columbia River Gorge, including Beacon Rock, Columbia Hills Historic State Park and Maryhill.

Double Mountain Brewery Has Launched a Foundation for Laid-Off Workers

Investors in Hood River-based Double Mountain Brewery formed a nonprofit in order to assist employees affected by the temporary closure of dine-in services. On Friday, they found out they received a $7,500 grant from the United Way of the Columbia Gorge. That money will help the Double Mountain Foundation purchase gift cards for grocery stores and farmers markets that will then be donated to current and former staff from the brewery and taproom who have lost a steady paycheck.

The U.S. Forest Service Implores the Public to Stay Out of the Gorge

As we head into the weekend and people search for ways to keep their minds and bodies occupied after days of hunkering down, the U.S. Forest Service has a very simple message for everybody: Stay out of the Gorge. Even though day-use sites, parks and trailheads remain closed due to the coronavirus outbreak—many have been barricaded to prevent entry—visitors have still flooded public lands. Last weekend alone, the Forest Service says thousands flocked to the Columbia River Gorge.

The U.S. Forest Service Has Closed All Its Recreation Sites in the Columbia Gorge

The U.S. Forest Service announced today that it is temporarily closing all National Forest System lands—from the Sandy River Delta in Troutdale to the mouth of the Deschutes River east of The Dalles—to halt the spread of the new coronavirus.

The Historic Columbia River Highway Is Now Closed, Along With Every Waterfall on the Route

As of 5 pm today, the Historic Columbia River highway is closed between Bridal Veil Falls and Ainsworth State Park. That includes all recreation sites along that stretch in order to help halt the spread of the new coronavirus and prevent people from flocking to the area like they did last weekend.

Anxious Oregonians Head for the Woods, Creating a Traffic Jam in the Columbia River Gorge

“Parking lots and roadside parking overflowed this week with cars parking in ditches and blocking intersections.”

The Gorge