The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum, The Dalles, Oregon

The Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful place to enjoy your favorite outdoors recreational activities. If you would like to learn more about the unique natural history of the Gorge and how it was formed, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles is an outstanding resource.Interactive displays at the Discovery Center detail the history of the Gorge, its natural features and the vegetation and wildlife that thrive in the habitats here. Exhibits also explore the ways the River and Gorge influenced the lives of people living in the region in the past and how they continue to shape the lives of those who live and work here today. In addition to learning about the natural forces that created the Gorge and affected the Columbia River, you can also learn about the intriguing cultural history of the area. The Wasco County Historical Museum is located adjacent to the Discovery Center, and is dedicated to the diverse cultural influences on the area.  The experiences of ancient peoples who inhabited the region, Native American cultures, early settlers and pioneers, traders, missionaries and many others are detailed in exhibits at the Wasco County Historical Museum.