Historic Columbia River Highway
Eagle Creek, OR

Eagle Creek was the first recreational site designated in a National Forest (1915). A trail was constructed up Eagle Creek, which continues to be a popular day hike or backpacking trip today. The recreational area was expanded during the construction of Bonneville Dam to include an Overlook, with many picnic tables, stoves and a shelter, where people could watch the construction of the Dam. The area includes many stone walls and three major wooden structures (the Overlook Shelter, a Community Kitchen and Big John, thought to be the first flush toilet in a Forest Service facility).

The original camping area is now a picnic site, with the camping moved to the top of the hill, just to the east. The Historic Columbia River Highway brings visitors by way of the Eagle Creek Bridge, the only stone-masonry faced concrete bridge on the Highway. The bridge has a pedestrian observatory constructed into the northwest corner, where you can watch salmon swim in the Creek.

Two interpretive signs describe early camping at Eagle Creek and the construction work of the Civilian Conservation Corps.