Beach · Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Strong Gorge winds make this Columbia shore a windsurfing draw.
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The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this place
Spring Creek Shore and Hatchery“You're approaching Spring Creek Hatchery State Park, a windy patch of Columbia shoreline near Underwood. Strong west winds and the river current build the swells that bring experienced windsurfers and kiteboarders here.”
Plays as you drive up to Spring Creek Hatchery State Park in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Spring Creek Hatchery State Park is a 10-acre day-use park on the Columbia River near Underwood. Strong west winds meet the river current here and build swells and whitecaps; Washington State Parks points experienced windsurfers and kiteboarders to this stretch. The same conditions make it a lively watersports stop rather than a calm-water place to try a first paddle.
On shore, the rocky beach and six unsheltered picnic tables make for a simple river break. The state park has about 150 parking spaces. From shore, look across the Columbia toward Mount Hood; frame some open water beneath the mountain for a photo that shows the Gorge setting.
This is a day-use park, and a Discover Pass is required. There’s no potable water or garbage service, so bring drinking water and pack out your trash. Restrooms close from November 1 through March 31. The nearby Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery is a separate federal attraction; its fish-viewing and interpretation are a second stop.
Wildlife
267 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
51 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
136 sightingsAmerican PikaMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
16 sightingsWapitiMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
195 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
74 sightingsChinook SalmonMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Columbia River Gorge. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyIndian Creek Trail (Hazel Avenue section)3.2 mi · 1.5 hr · 2.7 mi awayA leafy creek walk past a historic water flume.
ModerateWygant Peak Trail9 mi · 5.5 hr · 3.3 mi awayThe summit hides its best view in the meadow below.
Sight · 0.7 mi awaySpring Creek National Fish HatcheryWatch fall Chinook climb the ladder at a working river hatchery.
Lodging · 0.9 mi awayColumbia Gorge Hotel & SpaA 1920s hotel with a waterfall spilling through its gardens.
Sight · 1.7 mi awayThe HookA sheltered beginner launch with a big river view.
Beach · 2 mi awayHood River Waterfront ParkA sandy swimming cove for a low-key Columbia River break.
Sight · 2.3 mi awayHood River Event SiteWatch windsurfing and kiteboarding right on the river.
Sight · 3.3 mi awayMitchell Point TunnelFive arched windows frame the river from inside the cliff.Parkwolf’s Columbia River Gorge ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
