Bridge of the Gods

Well it’s a toll bridge. $ 1.00 either way. Very narrow also. If I remember right… it also shuts down at night !! Very odd!

Other than all the cons about this bridge, it looks neat. Good scenery from the top. Can be windy at times. Don’t know if it’s worth the money though…
But the gorge is full of beautiful views everywhere. This makes is nice to cross into Wa onto old highway 14. There is also a toll bridge when you get to hood river. What’s up with toll bridges in the gorge? Maybe to get more revenue from tourism trade!!!

Just such a delightful thing to do (cross it) …I am from CA and I don’t think many here know about it. It’s like something you would see in a movie… actually, it was the backdrop in the last scene of the movie, «The Wild». The vista from the bridge is beautiful. Thank you god for leading me to this beautiful spot on earth. It is also a memorable crossing to Washington. Be there!!!

The 1920s built narrow and privately owned bridge only costs a buck to cross! And what views!
Plus without this bridge, it would be a Long long long drive to cross elsewhere.

Okay, so the metal grading is kind of freaky, especially since you can cross on your bike? Eek. But it’s a quick cross over and when you get to the Washington side, there’s a welcome sign.
Pretty view while crossing and it only costs a dollar (each way). Just note, if you miss the exit going east on 84 you have to go a couple of miles before you can turn around, oops.

So the story goes, Via Wikipedia:
Native American lore contains numerous legends to explain the eruptions of Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes in the Cascade Volcanic Arc.
The most famous of these is the Bridge of the Gods legend told by the Klickitats. In their tale, the chief of all the gods, Tyhee Saghalie and his two sons, Pahto (also called Klickitat) and Wy’east, traveled down the Columbia River from the Far North in search of a suitable area to settle.
They came upon an area that is now called The Dalles and thought they had never seen a land so beautiful. The sons quarreled over the land and to solve the dispute their father shot two arrows from his mighty bow; one to the north and the other to the south. Pahto followed the arrow to the north and settled there while Wy’east did the same for the arrow to the south. Saghalie then built Tanmahawis, the Bridge of the Gods, so his family could meet periodically.
When the two sons of Saghalie both fell in love with a beautiful maiden named Loowit, she could not choose between them. The two young chiefs fought over her, burying villages and forests in the process. The area was devastated and the earth shook so violently that the huge bridge fell into the river, creating the Cascades Rapids of the Columbia River Gorge.
For punishment, Saghalie struck down each of the lovers and transformed them into great mountains where they fell. Wy’east, with his head lifted in pride, became the volcano known today as Mount Hood and Pahto, with his head bent toward his fallen love, was turned into Mount Adams. The fair Loowit became Mount St. Helens, known to the Klickitats as Louwala-​Clough which means «smoking or fire mountain» in their language
FAST FORWARD TO TODAY;
The Bridge of the Gods is a steel truss cantilever bridge that spans the Columbia River between Cascade Locks, Oregon and Washington state near North Bonneville. It is approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Portland, Oregon and 4 miles (6.4 km) upriver from the Bonneville Dam. It is a toll bridge operated by the Port of Cascade Locks.
Bridge of the Gods
The bridge was completed by Wauna Toll Bridge Company and opened in 1926 at a length of 1,127 feet (343 m). The higher river levels resulting from the construction of the Bonneville Dam required the bridge to be further elevated in 1940 and extended to its current length of 1,856 feet (565 m). The Columbia River Bridge Company of Spokane, Washington acquired ownership of the bridge in 1953 for $ 735,000. The Port of Cascade Locks Commission now operates the bridge.
MY PART:
All this said, The Bridge of the Gods is a two-​lane steel truss cantilever bridge with a $ 1.00 toll each way. That’s it. cost me $ 2.00 to do this review.

It’s a cool bridge with a $ 1 toll each way. We rode it back into Oregon. However, on a previous expedition we discovered their is a road near Thunder Island Brewing Company that tells a little bit about the history of the bridge.

An amazing structure with incredible views. It’s only a dollar, how can you go wrong.

This is it? Oh, Reese, you’ve led me on another wild adventure to nowhere.
After watching Elle Woods spend 115 minutes chronicling a one-​woman 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in the movie Wild … towards inspiration and the Bridge of the Gods, my wife and I jumped in the escape-​mobile and headed east to the Columbia Gorge. Luckily, our journey was much shorter (45 minutes) and less stressful than the hardships faced in the movie. Unfortunately, the bridge does not live up to its glorious name.
The Bridge of the Gods is a two-​lane steel truss cantilever bridge. That’s it.
Well, actually it’s more … a toll bridge that’ll cost ya $ 1 to cross. Oh, it’s a fine metal toll bridge built in 1926 (and raised higher in 1940), but it turns out the name has nothing to do with the structure. Instead the bridge is named after a legendary geologic land bridge that collapsed a 1000 years ago and was known as Bridge of the Gods.
* The surrounding scenery of the Gorge is beautiful
* This is the 3^rd oldest bridge on the Columbia River
* Completed by Wauna Toll Bridge Co in 1926
* The original bridge was wooden and only 91′ above the river
* The current bridge is 135′ after being raised in 1940
* Why? The 1938 Bonneville Dam and rising backwater
* The Port of Cascade Locks purchased it in 1961
* In 1966, it was re-​decked and painted
* Hwy 14 in WA and I-​84 in OR are connected by the bridge
* There is a free scenic overlook in WA just east of the bridge
The bridge is over-​hyped as a destination, but it’s a totally a-​ok way to cross the Columbia River in the scenic Columbia River Gorge for a $ 1.

Drove across The Bridge of the Gods again this weekend en route to a Washington trailhead. For the past 4 years I have been segment hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and since moving to Oregon this year, the bridge has become synonymous with this grand personal objective. I respect it accordingly; it’s a beautiful bridge in the most scenic location.
Pro Tip: The bridge is considered part of the PCT. Wanna hike it? You totally can. At your own risk (and the bridge tenders will reiterate this to you). Your best bet is to go super early in the morning in a month when it’s not as popular (read: not in the summer). The bridge is grated so if you’re afraid of heights or prone to vertigo, stick to crossing in your car.

I’m not exactly sure how to rate a bridge other than to give it 5 stars because it did it’s job! I can say the views, crossing from both side, are amazing and the sign is pretty cool.

What a cool place!
This toll bridge is a buck each way and connects I-​84 in Oregon with scenic highway 14 in Washington. I don’t recommend 84 if you’re trying to be scenic, go slightly south and change your elevation and check out historic highway 30 which dumps out in to Troutdale from as far as Multnomah Falls, probably further.
I’ve ridden these highways in car, been a passenger and been on a motorcycle and would NOT recommend BOG for a moto because it’s grated. But it’s a great photo op and also where Cheryl Strayed ended her PCT trek. It’s a neat place and worth a stop.
I have to say, though, the first time I saw it, I thought, THIS IS IT? I was let down. The name is so imposing. I expected wood carvings, dragons, eagles, fireworks. It’s just a metal bridge but the view is pretty great, even on a foggy day!

I, too, am not sure how to rate a bridge.
I suppose I can start with the toll. It’s $ 1 each way. (Well, okay, there are other charges, too, but we drove a Jetta. So for cars it’s $ 1! Ha.) Some of the toll boot operators were friendly, some not. Whatever. They were pleasant enough.
The view is pretty cool. It takes you from Cascade Locks over to Stevenson. There is a lot more food selection over on the Washington side.
The fact that the bridge carries PCT hikers over was awesome to me.
If you’ve got time, head to Thunder Island (or google it) to read up on how the bridge got its name. It’s pretty cool.
If you’re afraid of heights or of rickety bridges, take a deep breath and close your eyes. It’s not really rickety, but you can see through to the river as you drive, so, uh… yeah. I warned you.

Watch out for the trolls!
Yup real life trolls in Oregon you get to see them on your way across and pay the fee of $ 1. Sometimes on good days the trolls might crack a smile
Haha fun place to get to views and hikes of the scenic Willamette river.

The Bridge of the Gods that goes from Cascade Locks, Oregon to Stevenson, Washington is truly a divine experience. It’s a dollar to cross each way, but the view is quite impressive. I recommended taking a video of the moment if you have a few friends.
If you are visiting the gorge and the falls, this would be a good thing to see, especially because the bridge gives a nice panoramic view. It goes into Stevenson, Washington, which is a factually quiet small town because it was so smooth and small, I didn’t hear a peep.
I’d recommend trying La Casa de Sabor for Mexican in Stevenson. This can add to visiting Multnomah Falls by adding enjoyment.
Enjoy! The Bridge of the Gods is worth experiencing.

How do you rate a bridge?
Well as far as bridges go, this one is awesome! Great views all around and on the Cascade Locks side it has a few murals on it. During the fishing season there are always some Indians (Yakima tribe?) selling fresh fish and sometimes strawberries beneath the bridge. As far as tolls go, just a $ 1.
It is also the route that the Pacific Coast Trail crosses from Oregon into Washington.

Scroll down and read Jenny C’s review… She tells the story of the Bridge of the Gods and the reason behind the Robin Hood tales. Oh how I love great stories. Lovely bridge, actually quite picturesque if you can get the right vantage point. Yup. only $ 1 tolls. no sign to get to the bridge but it loops upward and around so just look out for a weight load sign and you will see the toll sign just beyond and I believe a sign to Stevenson. That’s basically how you find the road taking you towards the toll booth.
You go over the bridge into Stevenson Wa. Cute little town and a couple of really great places to eat. Ride back over the bridge to head back from whence you came… back to reality.

Pretty nice bridge. Nice name, great views while driving over, and it’s a toll bridge. Some might scoff at the whole toll thing, but I kind of dig it. It’s only $ 1. $ 1 EACH WAY, but still…
The toll booth operators could be much more friendly. Sure, they work in a box for 8 hours a day, but how hard is the job, really? Gimme a damn smile, especially since I’m smiling at you! Sheesh.
I highly recommend taking this bridge… especially if you’re hungry. DON’T eat in Cascade Locks – not even if the smell of Char Burger is driving you crazy. Better to blow $ 2 on getting decent food in Stevenson, WA.

Great little off the beaten path old school bridge. Beautiful views, historic and neat architecture!
**TIP: If you’re heading here from the 84 East, use the Cascade Locks exit. There is no sign for Bridge of the Gods on the 84 East. We drove right past it and had to turn around and come back.

Just remember — – it is a TOLL bridge.
Oregon likes to charge you $ 1.00 to cross over to the WA. side and $ 1.00 to come back.
Unless You get one of those little coupon books for $ 15.00 and it will cost you only .75 each time.
Why the Toll? Well… maybe… because during the Holiday seasons, on the Oregon side of the bridge, they like to decorate and put up pretty lights. :P
Anyway…it is Beautiful scenery as you cross the Bridge!!!
You have to go over it at least once in your life.

If you’re on the Columbia River Gorge, this is something you should ride atleast once. How often can you say you’ve driven over the Columbia and watched waters from the Columbia Headwaters, salmon, and windsurfers float beneath you (you can literally see the river under you as you drive over a steel surface which allows you to look below!).
It’s a beautiful bridge in a godly part of the country. Even the toll paid adds to the allure. I was super proud to toss a few coins the way of the bridge.