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The Friends of Vista House staff and help maintain the historic Vista House.  We offer many visitor services provided by our knowledgeable volunteers at the information desk.

We are open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. (Hours change during the winter – be sure and check the website for current days and hours of operation.)

Visitors learn about the building, the highway, the Gorge, local history, sights to see, the flora and fauna, and visitor “comfort” facilities and rest area.  Information on the educational exhibits and displays relating to the building is available and our volunteers provide special building tours and talks to school, civic and tour groups.  Our interpretive FOVH Museum Gift Shop offers visitors unique selections to commemorate their Vista House experience and our espresso bar is available for light refreshments.

Vista House was built between 1916-1918 as a memorial to Oregon pioneers, as a comfort station for those traveling on the Historic Columbia River Highway and as an observatory. The octagonal stone structure towers 733 feet above the Columbia River, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in the National Geographic Society’s 2001 “Save America’s Treasures” book.

Vista House was closed for almost 5 years while an extensive restoration was completed, and was reopened to the public in the summer of 2005 and formally rededicated May 5, 2006. The fundraising goal of over $4 million was completed in 2003 by joint efforts of Oregon State Parks Trust, The Friends of Vista House, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Visit soon!