Chanticleer Point and Vista House at Crown Point, Columbia River Gorge

The geography of the Columbia River Gorge allows for a lot of scenery and a view scenic viewpoints. While many of those are obtained by hiking, there are two that you can drive to.

The silhouette of the Vista House at Crown Point may be more familiar, but many pictures of it are taken from Chanticleer Point, the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.

Chanticleer Point overlooks Rooster Rock as well, once the site of the Chanticleer Inn, known for salmon and chicken dinners.

Only Crown Point is on the Waterfall Trolley Tour, but both points can be easily accessed from the Historic Columbia River Highway and are less than a mile apart.

There are other shuttles that go to Chanticleer Point, though the parking was ample.

Chanticleer Point has historic markers regarding the Lewis and Clark expedition, the highway itself, and the Portland Women's Forum.

Through the gift of the Women's Forum, Chanticleer Point is part of the Oregon State Park system.

There is more to see at Crown Point, with many displays within the Vista House.

We visited it right after our trolley tour, so the displays on the history of the scenic highway took on an added interest after enjoying that scenery.

My sisters were also very pleased to find plush banana slugs in the gift shop. That wasn't really expected, but they had been wanting some for a while now.

There is also something to be said just for finally making it to somewhere so iconic. I had never been to Vista House before.

And the views are reason enough.

COVID: You can spend plenty of time outside. Even on the main floor of the Vista House -- depending on the weather -- panels are opened for free-flowing air and high ceilings. 

However, if you visit the other floors, and even if it is just pretty crowded, there are good reasons to mask inside.

Accessibility: Chanticleer Point is pretty good, though there can be some rough areas. 

Also, if this is the beginning of the Rooster Rock Wagon Road Hike, it looks like it gets a bit steep and there seem to be a lot of crashed vehicles along the way. 

https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Rooster_Rock_Wagon_Road_Hike

Vista House has a lot of steps, but there are ramps and elevators too.

That you need to use the intercom to get someone to let you use the elevator and they request that you use it only as needed does make it seem not particularly friendly.

If you choose to go, just be aware.

https://vistahouse.com/

http://portlandwomensforum.com/history.html