Rowena is located on the Oregon side of a magnificent geologic feature on the Columbia River - chronicled by Lewis and Clark as they passed through - known as the "Rowena Gap." Carved from the unrelenting forces of Cenozoic lava flows and Ice-Age floods, one floating down the Columbia would see The Rowena Gap as terraced mountains on both sides of the river. Six separate basalt flows can be counted in the 1,000-foot-high cliffs.

On the north side of Rowena Gap is Lyle, Washington. On the Oregon side are at least three must-see sites: First of all, there's Mayer State Park, land donated by Mark Mayer in 1910. At its base on the river's edge, the park (along with Doug's Beach on the Washington side) has become a favorite launching point for kite and sailboard enthusiasts from around the world. Meander up the Historic Columbia River Highway that runs through the park and you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge from your perch at Rowena Crest. In the spring, nearby Tom McCall Nature Preserve (named after former governor, Tom McCall) is 271 acres of land awash with colorful wild flowers of all sorts. Located in the transition zone between the heavily-forested west side of the Cascades and the drier bunch grass prairies of the east, Tom McCall Preserve explodes with a rainbow of colors.

Full of unspoiled vistas and close to summer and winter activities in nearby Hood River and surrounding resorts, Rowena is a great place to pause and reflect nature's abundance and beauty.