Oneonta Gorge, OR — From Above

Hidden within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oneonta Creek has carved one of the narrowest canyons in the Pacific Northwest.

The basalt walls rise steeply on both sides, forming a slot so tight that sunlight rarely reaches the water below. Moss, ferns, and other moisture-loving plants thrive in this sheltered environment, creating a small rainforest tucked inside volcanic rock.

The hike through the gorge has remained closed since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, so reaching this perspective required hiking to a ridge above the canyon and flying a drone to see the gorge from a completely different angle.

From the air, the scale becomes clear — a thin ribbon of water cutting quietly through the stone.

Four aerial perspectives from one of the most hidden landscapes in the Columbia River Gorge.