Type “Portland, Oregon” into any travel site and they’ll tell you that a trip to the City of Roses would be incomplete without visiting the Columbia River Gorge. And they’d be right. Rent a car, book a seat on the Multnomah Waterfall Trolley, or rope a friend into taking you. But go.
The Gorge, as it’s called, is said to be the largest and most scenic area in the United States (a bold claim, but difficult to argue.) And it’s conveniently located just minutes from the city. Growing up in Portland, we took a few field trips out to study the geology of the area. But lately, I’ve been playing tour guide for my Italian partner who is new in town, and I’m rediscovering it for myself.
The experience of driving through its winding green corridor and gazing into the epic river canyon warrants a trip in itself – but there’s a never-ending list of hideaways tucked inside the forested cliff sides that would take a lifetime to explore.
So, I won’t even attempt to give you a comprehensive guide. In fact, there are dozens of books that chronicle the many trails, campsites, windsurfing spots, swimming holes, and waterfalls hidden throughout the area.
Instead, I’m going to supply you with a lazy city girl’s itinerary. All of the stops can be hit in one day, accounting for a leisurely morning – no hiking boots required. So stop at a Plaid Pantry for some snacks, crank a classic country station, and watch the city (and your troubles) disappear behind you.
Tip: Make sure to take the Historic Columbia River Highway. Google Maps will try to put you on I-84, which is faster, but much less scenic. If you’re coming from Portland, you can take SE Stark all the way to Gresham and hop on the highway there.
Vista House
Having an Instagram moment in front of the Vista House
The first stop we made on a recent crisp October Saturday was to the Vista House, one of the most popular viewpoints in the 80-mile stretch. You’ll be able to spot the majestic octagonal castle in the distance as you’re winding towards it on the highway. Inside the structure, you can head upstairs for an even better view of the scenery.
(It’s also devastatingly romantic spot to pull over and watch the sun set into the canyon, so you could even save it for the way home.)
Multnomah Falls
Tip: Ask whoever has the biggest camera to take your photo. They’re the best photographers.
If you only have time for one stop, make it Multnomah Falls – the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest. You may have seen pictures of the glorious torrent gushing into the basin behind the iconic Benson Bridge.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, be warned that there could be a bit of traffic and trouble parking. Ideally, it’s best to visit on a weekday or during a less touristy month. While you’re here, you can eat at the Lodge (which I’ve yet to do – let me know how it is) or just grab a revitalizing espresso and a delectable piece of fudge from the coffee cart.
There’s also a trailhead that leads to what I can only assume is a lovely hike, but I prefer to just walk the five minutes up to the bridge, which allows you to observe the waterfall up close, and bounce. Besides, there are a thousand less-busy hikes to take advantage of in the area if you want to get up-close-and-personal with nature.
Cascade Locks
The strange but adorable Cascade Locks Historical Museum
If you only have a couple of hours to spare, you can turn around at Multnomah Falls and call it a successful day. But if you continue east, there’s certainly more to see, like the beautiful recreational area at Cascade Locks Marine Park. This is the perfect place to stretch your legs, enjoy some fresh air, or even sit down for a picnic. If you have kids, they might enjoy the playground – and you’ll enjoy the opportunity to expend some of their energy.
Here, you can also find a quirky little museum in an early 1900s house that’s worth checking out. You can pat yourself on the back for learning a thing or two about the area’s geology and history (and feel like you contributed a little something with the price of your $4 admission ticket.) Just watch out for the various mannequins hiding in the shadows; I was spooked more than once.
Tip: If you plan on stopping here, you might want to download the Google Pay app and input your card information in advance, which is required to pay for parking.
Hood River
A view from Fremont Brewery’s patio
Our final stop was in Hood River for a bite to eat. I was curious to check it out. Despite being an Oregon native, I am ashamed to say I’ve never made it that far east (a whopping one hour away from the city.) This town is known for its epic windsurfing spots and bike paths, but it’s also a hotspot of bougie businesses, like vineyards, spas, and luxe lodges. Unfortunately, I forgot my wetsuit, surfboard and rig at home, so instead we stopped at Fremont Brewing for some, well, brews. There’s a beautiful patio area upstairs with a fireplace – a perfect way to cap off the day.
This list doesn’t even cover a fraction of the things there are to do and see in the Gorge. But I hope it gave you a place to start if you’re planning to visit.
All in all, the excursion took six hours. By the end, I felt rejuvenated from the work week and inspired to return. I foresee many more drives to discover more of what the Gorge has to offer. Maybe I’ll even don some hiking boots one of these times…
What are your favorite destinations in the Gorge? Write me on Twitter @ninachamlou.