Wauna Viewpoint

Find this trail across the Eagle Creek Bridge. If you parked in the front lot for the rec area, you can follow a paved trail past the bathrooms, through the picnic area and to the Eagle Creek Bridge, installed in 2020.

Cross the bridge and follow a sign for Wauna Viewpoint, which guides you north on wide trail before switchbacking for a bit. Soon, the trail heads toward the river, offering views up and downriver as you hike along through thimbleberries and bigleaf maple saplings.

Despite heading for Wauna Viewpoint, this trail is the Gorge 400 trail, which stretches all the way from here to Wahkeena Falls. You’re not going that far, though. It’s just a bit longer of a traverse west before you’ll arrive at a junction.

After 0.8 miles on the Gorge Trail the Wauna Viewpoint trail veers off to the left and heads uphill on a switchbacking route for the next 0.7 miles to the top. This trail is slightly more rugged than Gorge 400, and steeper. You’ll gain 564 feet of elevation in that 0.7 miles. But generally, the switchbacks are forgiving, and the quietness of the trail and the view at the top will make the exertion it takes to get there worth it.

At the peak, enjoy the view and then head back the way you came.