Is this Columbia River Gorge park cursed?

Is this Columbia River Gorge park cursed?

From Peak Northwest by The Oregonian/OregonLive

April 30, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

This episode explores the mysterious history of the Eagle Creek Overlook in the Columbia River Gorge.

Most recreation areas in the Columbia River Gorge are well-loved, seeing throngs of visitors every spring and summer to enjoy a beautiful day in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most scenic regions. So what’s the deal with the Eagle Creek Overlook? On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into the weird history behind the historic park at the mouth of Eagle Creek. Designed for the crowds that never came, and twice saved from ruin, the park remains one of the most enigmatic destinations in Oregon. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: A brief history of Eagle Creek, one of the most important recreation areas in Oregon. How dam watchers spurred the creation of the Overlook area. Why didn’t anybody show up? How two separate efforts finally made the park into what it is today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics covered

  • Columbia River Gorge
  • Eagle Creek Overlook
  • park history
  • recreation areas
  • Pacific Northwest
  • enigma
  • visitor trends

Keywords

  • Columbia River Gorge
  • Eagle Creek
  • Overlook
  • recreation
  • Oregon
  • park history
  • visitor trends

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Peak Northwest, The Oregonian/OregonLive

Places: Columbia River Gorge, Eagle Creek

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