The best places to play and stay in the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, is an 84 mile long stretch east of Portland, Oregon on Interstate 84 (I-84) and the Historic Columbia River Highway (Oregon Highway 30).
The Dalles is only 82 miles east of Portland, Oregon and the Portland International Airport. Take the drive through the scenic Columbia River Gorge on I-84, through the Cascade Mountains. To our north is the majestic Columbia River, which is the border between Oregon and Washington states. You can cross the river in Portland on I-5 or I-205, at Cascade Locks Bridge of the Gods, at Hood River, at The Dalles, or at Bigg’s Junction. Just visible to the northwest are the snow-covered slopes of Mt. Adams. To the southwest is the towering figure of one of the other sentinels of the Cascades, Mt. Hood. The area is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking trails along spectacular waterfalls, and your choice of white-water rafting, fishing, camping, cycling, and year-round skiing at Timberline Lodge within an hour’s drive. supplies the area with hydro-electric power.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS IN THE GORGE
- White-water rafting on the Deschutes, Klickitat, and White Salmon Rivers
- Year-round snow skiing at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood
- Maryhill Museum and the full-scale Stonehenge Replica War Memorial
- Shaniko Ghost Town
- Tom McCall Wildflower Preserve on the Rowena Loops
- World-class windsurfing and kiteboarding on the Columbia River
- Columbia Gorge Waterfalls along the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway 30
- Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam Visitor Centers
- 55 area local Columbia Gorge wineries & vineyards, classified with their own appelation.
- Fishing, hiking, camping, hunting – too many places to list
The Mid-Columbia and Columbia Gorge area of Oregon and Washington offer many small communities with unique visitor attractions, friendly people and an appreciation for the outdoors, history, and community. Internet giant Google sited a facility in The Dalles in 2006. The Columbia River dams (Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day) offer visitor centers and a chance to learn about the ecology of rivers. A proliferation of wineries, vineyards, and ale-brewing facilities, wildflowers, a variety of outdoor sports and camping areas – from forested mountains to high desert plateaus – make the Columbia Gorge a unique place to play and stay.
Find your favorite activity:
Scenic wonders of the Columbia River Gorge
- Columbia Gorge Oregon Waterfalls
- Historic Columbia River Highway 30
- USDA Forest Service Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area
- USDA Forest Service Map to Historic Columbia River Highway (Hwy 30)
- National Forests of Oregon and Washington
- Passes and Permits
Oregon
Camping & RV Parks
Near The Dalles
- Deschutes River State Recreational Area (Deschutes & Columbia Rivers near The Dalles)
- Heritage Landing (Deschutes & Columbia Rivers near The Dalles)
- Mayer State Park (Columbia River near The Dalles)
- Memaloose State Park (Columbia River near The Dalles)
- White River Falls State Park (White River, near Tygh Valley)
- Sherman County Parks and campsites
Snow-Skiing on Mt. Hood
White-water River Rafting
Enjoy white-water rafting and kayakking on the Deschutes, John Day, Klickitat, and White Salmon rivers.
Washington State
Klickitat County: Goldendale, Dallesport, Lyle, Bingen, White Salmon
Skamania County: Stevenson, Carson, Underwood
Clark County: Camas, Washougal, Vancouver
Washington
- Washington State Parks
- Avery Park (Columbia River, NE of The Dalles)
- Brooks Memorial State Park (near Goldendale, WA)
- Columbia Hills State Park and Temani Pesh-wa Trail of Native American Petroglyphs (Near The Dalles & Wishram)
- Columbia Hills RV Village (Dallesport, WA)
- Lewis & Clark Campground and RV Park
- Maryhill State Park & Peach Beach RV Campark (near Goldendale, Maryhill, and Wishram, WA; Biggs Junction & The Dalles, OR)
- Beacon Rock State Park (near Stevenson, WA)
- Skamania Coves Resort (near Stevenson, WA)
- Timberlake Campground and RV Park (near Home Valley, WA)
- Wind Mountain RV Park (near Home Valley, WA)
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Washington, Mt. Adams)
- Mt. St. Helens National Monument
- Mt. St. Helens Volcano Cam
Wind-surfing & Kite-boarding
There’s nothing quite like catching the waves and wind on the Columbia River.
Golfing in the Gorge
You’ll enjoy the variety of golf courses available in the Gorge, in both Oregon and Washington..
History, Landmarks, & Museums
The Columbia Gorge is an area rich in history. There have been Native Americans living in the gorge for 10,000 years, as evidenced by archeologists who have investigated the Wakemap Mound (part of Columbia Hills State Park) and other sites. Lewis and Clark camped in the Columbia Gorge during their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The Dalles is the end of the Overland Oregon Trail. The gold rush passed through The Dalles. The Yakama Indian Wars were fought in this area, and the Treaty of 1855 was signed near Three Mile in The Dalles.
- Columbia Gorge Area museums
- Historical landmarks and sites in The Dalles
- Temani Pesh-wa Trail of Native American Petroglyphs at Horsethief Lake, Columbia Hills State Park
The Dalles
- Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
- Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead
- National Neon Sign Museum
- Original Wasco County Courthouse
- St. Peter’s Landmark
- The Dalles Lock and Dam Visitor Center
Other area landmarks and museums
- Maryhill Museum of Art and Stonehenge replica
- Columbia Hills State Park and Temani Pesh-wa Trail of Native American Petroglyphs
- Sherman County History Museum
- Hood River County History Museum
- Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM)
- Oregon Historic Trails
- Washington State Museum Association
Entertainment
Wineries, Vineyards and Brew Pubs
The Columbia Gorge has a well-deserved reputation for award-winning wines and micro-brew ales. The growing area for vineyards in the gorge is so unique it has earned its own appelation.
Brew Pubs
- Full Sail Brewery (Hood River)
- Clock Tower Ales (The Dalles)
- Mosier Company (Mosier)
- Walking Man Brewing (Stevenson)
Wineries
- Maryhill Winery (Goldendale)
- Cascade Cliffs (Wishram)
- Jacob Williams Winery (Wishram)
- Marshal’s Winery (Dallesport)
- Columbia Gorge Winegrowers (Gorge-wide)
Visitor Information
Chambers of Commerce / Visitor Centers
Oregon – West to East
Multnomah County
• West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce, Troutdale, OregonHood River County
• Hood River Chamber of Commerce Hood River, OregonWasco County
• The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, The Dalles, OregonWashington – West to East
Clark County
• Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
• Clark County Chamber of Commerce
• Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce
Skamania County
• Skamania County Chamber of Commerce, Stevenson, Washington
Klickitat County
• Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce White Salmon, Washington
• Goldendale Chamber of Commerce Goldendale, Washington