Stretching for 80 miles east of Portland, Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a spectacular river canyon that marks the boundary between Oregon and Washington, with walls that rise dramatically 4,000 feet from the water. The Oregon side of the river contains the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and more than 90 waterfalls and is known as a refuge for Portlanders, thanks to its moss-covered forests of maple and Douglas fir. But it’s not only locals who flock here: Multnomah Falls attracts roughly 2 million visitors each year.
One park ranger has referred to the Gorge as “Portland’s backyard,” and it’s certainly a day trip–friendly, endlessly hikeable, astoundingly scenic place. And you don’t even need a car to get here: The Columbia Gorge Express shuttle runs between Portland and Hood River ($20/round trip), with stops at Thunder Island Brewing Co., in Cascade Locks, Multnomah Falls, and the town of Troutdale, where Sugarpine Drive-In’s soft-serve is not to be missed. Read on for a few of the best things to do in the Columbia River Gorge.
Bike from the Elowah Falls trailhead at John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor to Cascade Locks.
Photo by Sveta Imnadze/Shutterstock
Bike or hike to a waterfall (or two)
The Columbia River Gorge has 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side alone that you can reach by foot and sometimes by bike, including tourist-heavy Multnomah Falls. Oregon State Park manager David Spangler urges visitors to press farther into the gorge’s drier, more undiscovered eastern corridor: “People stop at Multnomah, but you need to go past that. From Starvation Creek to Rowena Plateau, the scenery is different out there,” he notes. “As you go east, you move into more open landscapes. It changes completely.” Find slightly less foot traffic at waterfalls like Bridal Veil Falls, Elowah Falls, and Starvation Creek Falls.
Roll along the Columbia River on two wheels—through wild, wet forests with tall waterfalls and mossy viaducts—on the 12-mile Historic Columbia River Highway bike trail. At present, it has three unconnected paths—the Twin Tunnels Segment from Hood River to Mosier; Mitchell Point Segment, from Wyeth to Viento; and the Bonneville Segment, from John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor to Cascade Locks.
Bike rentals, both regular and e-bikes, are available from Bike the Gorge in Cascade Locks ($50/3 hours); if you’re coming from Mount Hood, you can rent mountain bikes at Goodwynns ($85/7 hours), Fat Tire Farm ($125/7 hours), Hood River Mountain Bike Adventures ($125/full day), and Sol Rides ($80/half day).
Tom McCall Nature Preserve bursts with lupine and balsamroot flowers in April and May
Photo by Bob Pool/Shutterstock
Come in spring to see wildflowers and cherry blossoms
Rainforest, high desert, volcano, and alpine forest sit side-by-side in the Columbia River Gorge, making for diverse landscapes. Late spring brings the added attraction of wildflowers. Thanks to plentiful rain and warming temperatures, hills on either side of the gorge explode with flowers in shades of yellow, pink, and purple. Rowena Crest, located inside the Tom McCall Nature Preserve, 20 minutes east of Hood River, is a particularly enchanting spot, with the entire plateau blanketed by vibrant lupine and yellow balsamroot each April and May.
If you love cherries—and who doesn’t?—consider driving Highway 35 from Hood River all the way up to Mount Hood. As you gain altitude, you’ll find yourself in a valley framed by old farmhouses, with mountain ranges shielding you on both sides. The majority of Hood River’s famous cherries are grown here; in late April, when the cherry trees are in whitish-pink bloom, with snow-capped Mount Hood visible in the distance, it’s a sight to behold. During the summer, fruit stands pop up alongside the road, offering the perfect snack to take with you on an afternoon hike through the gorge.
Brigham Fish Market is a beloved local spot to try Pacific Northwest seafood.
Courtesy of Brigham Fish Market
Where to eat
Kim Brigham-Campbell and Terrie Brigham fish in the Columbia River for steelhead, sockeye, and Chinook salmon, which they sell at their long-time family market-restaurant, Brigham Fish Market in Cascade Locks. The Cajun-style fish and chips are an easy favorite, but the salmon chowder is so delicious that you’re likely to find yourself craving it the next day.
From Thursday to Sunday, Hiyu Wine Farm in Hood River serves multi-course wine-paired lunches ($150) and dinners ($250) with produce from their farm. They also offer a two-hour farm and vineyard tour followed by a wine salon/tasting ($150).
Solstice in Hood River is a favorite of families who pour in for their crispy-crust pizzas like the Cremini, with goat cheese, mozzarella, pecorino, and mushrooms from nearby farm Hood River Organic, and the Sweet & Spicy, a tastebud roller coaster with house-made sausage and chili crisp, ricotta, fried shallots, mozzarella, and hot honey. If you want just a slice or two, its pizza truck is out Wednesday through Sunday.
pFriem is the perfect place in Hood River to stop for a pint and a bar snack.
Courtesy of pFriemd
Breweries to try
In the town of Cascade Locks, which sits on the Pacific Crest Trail, Thunder Island Brewing Company, a dynamic brewpub with riverfront views, has five beers always on tap—among them the Bridge of the Gods lager, named for the most famous bridge that crosses the gorge—and seven rotating brews, like Surfer Chick, a pilsner. Also in Cascade Locks, Son of Man focuses exclusively on crisp, wild-fermented, Basque-style cider.
Over in Hood River, 25 minutes away, there’s tasty Belgian-style lambic and smooth pilsner on tap at pFriem Family Brewers, which also serve plates of gochujang wings and ceviche with Pacific Northwest albacore tuna.
Mt. Hood looms large over Hood River, a favorite place to overnight for those making a weekend trip outside of Portland.
Courtesy of Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge
Where to stay
You can drive to the Columbia River Gorge from Portland in under an hour. But if you want to stay the night out here, try Sakura Ridge in Hood River, a luxury experience that prioritizes sustainability. The lodge sits on a certified organic orchard that grows an assortment of apples, pears, and berries, which inspires the lodge’s commitment to taking care of the land. Suites are designed with eco-consciousness in mind, with pillows handwoven by an artisan in nearby White Salmon, Washington, and Oregon cherrywood bed frames. Each suite also comes with its own traditional Japanese-inspired soaking tub. From $425 | Book now
To better understand the Gorge’s history, check out the Hood River Hotel, which was built in 1911 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rooms are adorned with photos and copies of documents from different eras of the town’s past, but they still feel modern and well-equipped, thanks to flat-screen TVs and eco-friendly bath products. From $254 | Book now
For incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge, look no further than the Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn in Cascade Locks; it is right next to the river, with views to match. It’s also less than a quarter of a mile away from the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, a 19th-century-style steamboat that plies the river, and only two miles from the Columbia Gorge Museum. From $189 | Book now
This article was originally published in 2019 and most recently updated on July 31, 2024, with current information. Alex Schechter and Cat Sposato contributed to the reporting of this story.
