Balasamroot flowers cover the fields at Rowena with Mt Adams in Background

Sunrise at Rowena

Grass Widows at Rowena Overlook

Rowena in Fall from Historic Columbia River Highway

Mt. Hood at Sunrise from Tom McCall Viewpoint

Columbia Desert Parsley

• 01 Rowena - Balsamroot w/ Mt Adams Balasamroot flowers cover the fields at Rowena with Mt Adams in Background
• 02 Rowena - Sunrise Sunrise at Rowena
• 03 Rowena - Grass Widows Grass Widows at Rowena Overlook
• 04 Rowena - Fall Colors Rowena in Fall from Historic Columbia River Highway
• 05 Rowena - Mt Hood Sunrise Mt. Hood at Sunrise from Tom McCall Viewpoint
• 06 Rowena - Columbia Desert Parsley Columbia Desert Parsley
• Pause

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Rowena Overlook - Tom McMcall Nature Preserve

Info:

The 271 Acre Tom McCall Preserve sits atop the Rowena Plateau. As a part of the Mayer State Park, this area is known for spectacular spring wildflowers. The preserve is so diverse partly because it lies in the transition zone between the moist, heavily-forested west side of the Cascades and the drier bunch grass prairies of the east. From February through June different varieties of wildflowers can be seen including (balsamroot, lupine, various desert parsleys, grass widows, and many more). The most easily accessible part of the park is perhaps the Rowena Overlook area which features an amazing 360 degree view of the Columbia Gorge from a lofty perch above the Gorge floor. For the more adventurous, there are 2 main trails (both unimproved dirt/gravel) which allows the public access to either the lower Rowena Plateau or the Upper Tom McCall viewpoint.

While many folks visit in the spring, this area affords spectacular views year-round. As this is a nature preserve, dogs, horses, and any type of motorized vehicle or bike is not allowed. To avoid disruption to the nature preserve, please stay on the trails at all times.

Across the river you can see the town of Lyle, WA and the Balfour Klickitat Trail area at the confluence of the Klickitat and Columbia Rivers. In the summer you can also see windsurfers and kiters sailing below the Rowena Plateau.

For more information on hiking the trails and for gps route information, see: www.gorgeguide.com/do/73-hiking/368-tom-mccall-nature-preserve.html

Amenities:

• Hiking
• Parking
• Picknicking
• Wildflowers
• Views

Nearby Attractions

• Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
• Mayer State Park
• Memaloose Overlook
• Mosier
• The Dalles

Driving Directions:

From I-84, take either the Mosier exit (five miles east of Hood River) or the Rowena exit (eight miles west of The Dalles).

Map: