Wasco County

Celilo Falls on the Columbia River served as a gathering place and major trading center for the local Native Americans, including the Wasco and Paiute, and Warm Springs tribes, for thousands of years. These rapids came to be named Les Grandes Dalles de la Columbia or "The Great Falls of the Columbia" by the French Canadian fur traders.

The Dalles initially served as a way station on the Oregon Trail as it approached the Willamette Valley . The construction of the Barlow Road over the Cascade Mountain Range in 1845 encouraged families to settle in the area. Over the following years, Wasco County was a major transportation hub for both river and inland traffic.

Windsurfing, kiteboarding and fishing on the mighty Columbia River. The Dalles has a great marina and boat Launch. River activity is exciting to watch with the barges, boats, cruise ships, kiteboarders, windsurfers and stand up paddle boards.

Pine Hollow Lake in South Wasco County is surrounded by homes and offers an abundance of recreation from boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and paddle boats.

Maupin is nestled along the Deschuts River and world famous White Water Rafting and Fly Fishing. Enjoy the quaintness of the small town and sunshine, where there is Never a Bad Day in Maupin!

Wasco Country's economy is based upon agriculture (orchards, wheat farming, livestock ranching), lumber, manufacturing, electric power, transportation, and tourism.