Parking
Use the free Balfour-Klickitat day-use lot off Old Highway 8/Canyon Road, about a quarter-mile north of SR 14 after the Klickitat River bridge from Lyle. Restrooms are at the lot.
Overview
About Balfour-Klickitat Loop
Why go
- A short paved route with a signed bird blind and river views.
- The river-side return passes an old ranch fireplace and Osage orange windbreak.
Heads up
- The lower stream crossing can complicate wheeled access.
- The eagle highlight is seasonal and never guaranteed.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Columbia River Gorge map
Full mapElevation139–210 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Columbia River Gorge alerts
- ClosureEagle Creek Fire area closureDo not enter Oneonta Gorge or the specified trail sections because hazards remain following the Eagle Creek Fire.Official details
- CautionAircraft and drone restrictions at developed recreation sitesAircraft and drone landings, drop-offs, and pickups are prohibited at six high-use developed recreation sites to protect visitor safety.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide
Your drive to Balfour-Klickitat Loop, narrated.
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 trailhead
Balfour-Klickitat Birding Loop0:00 / 0:26
“You're coming up on the Balfour-Klickitat trailhead, where a short paved loop leads to a bird blind above the Klickitat River.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Klickitat Trail at Lyle
- Balfour's Second Life
- The Railroad Beneath the Trail
- A Song in the Rock
- 217 audio storiesacross Columbia River Gorge’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Bald Eagle, Black Bear, American Pika, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 111 trails, 78 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“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!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Balfour-Klickitat Loop
A short loop for birds and river viewsBalfour-Klickitat Loop is an easy, paved 0.
Balfour-Klickitat Loop is an easy, paved 0.75-mile round-trip loop above the Klickitat River, with a short retraced spur to a bird blind at Klickitat Cove. Allow about 30 minutes, longer if you linger at the overlook. It suits an easy walk and birdwatching: bald eagles are worth looking for around February, with songbirds and waterfowl year-round.
Take the upper path, then return beside the riverFrom the day-use lot, head toward the restrooms and take the upper path away from Highway 14.
From the day-use lot, head toward the restrooms and take the upper path away from Highway 14. At the interpretive board, follow signs to the Wildlife Viewing Area; its platform looks toward Mill Creek’s confluence with the Klickitat. Return to the board and take the lower path along the river. It crosses water, curves uphill to the lot, and passes an old ranch fireplace. Osage orange trees remain from the ranch windbreak planted in the late 1800s.
Access and the useful caveatMost of the paved path is ADA-accessible, but steep or rugged sections may need assistance,…
Most of the paved path is ADA-accessible, but steep or rugged sections may need assistance, especially in winter and spring. Snow isn’t cleared and pavement isn’t salted. Water crosses the lower leg, which can be tricky for wheeled visitors. Dogs are allowed on leash; restrooms and free parking are at the trailhead. From the bird blind, include the curve of water and the wooded opposite bank rather than zooming in on birds.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Columbia River Gorge
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.
