Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge
5
About
The Columbia River Gorge, a 75-mile canyon through the Cascades, is a broad, picturesque river with water-controlling dams.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Columbia River Gorge
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
103 within 5 kms
Attractions
62 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,231 reviews
Excellent
1,079
Very good
133
Average
12
Poor
5
Terrible
2
minimize940314
Los Angeles, CA3,527 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
Phenomenal place. The trees are majestically tall, waterfalls are beautifully cascading to the ground. There are plenty of short and long trails for everyone, and parking spaces are ample.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gilmoreod
Valparaiso, IN3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Amazing scenery and local history. We were on River cruise by American Cruise Lines. We traveled along Columbia and Snake rivers on riverboat. Awesome food and service!
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica K
Tarpon Springs, FL275 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Beautiful scenic drive with an abundance of waterfalls and vistas. Some waterfalls are right off the road, but parking is very limited or not accessible. Parking passes for Multnomah Falls must be obtained either via online or at Troudale Depot (scenic route 30). The trails around the various falls vary in difficulty, most bathrooms are primitive at the smaller falls. Definitely worth the trip!
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mattkur
Chicago, IL129 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The views from crown point were some of the most stunning I have seen in my life! I think next time I will bring some lunch and eat right there!
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marriott946
London, UK668 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
Three stars for a brilliant view?
Unfortunately although a great spot to view the gorge it was hazy so it was a minimum view but I bet on a good day a picnic awaits!
Pay little attention to this review if you get the chance to see it!
Unfortunately although a great spot to view the gorge it was hazy so it was a minimum view but I bet on a good day a picnic awaits!
Pay little attention to this review if you get the chance to see it!
Written 10 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marshalmcd
Saint Helens, OR3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Magnificent display of nature. I will never tire of the view from Crown Point. Family has been going for over thirty years
Written 7 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LisaMNUSA
Saint Paul, MN941 contributions
Sep 2022
We spent a day in this area. We visited several water falls, they are very scenic.
We also visited Bonneville fish hatchery, beautiful ground. Bring quarters with you if you plan to visit here, so you can feed rainbow trouts. We saw the 80 years old, 11 feet long, 500 ponds white sturgeon here.
We also visited Bonneville fish hatchery, beautiful ground. Bring quarters with you if you plan to visit here, so you can feed rainbow trouts. We saw the 80 years old, 11 feet long, 500 ponds white sturgeon here.
Written 24 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorne B
Toronto, Canada534 contributions
Jul 2022
We saw so many incredible sights here and I will review each one individually.
We saw:
Portland women’s state scenic lookout
Bridal veil falls
Multnomah falls
Ponytail falls
Mosier plateau trail.
There are some parts that you have to pay to drive through, which was kind of garbage and a cash grab, although we said we were on our honeymoon and the ranger just let us through so lucky us.
We saw:
Portland women’s state scenic lookout
Bridal veil falls
Multnomah falls
Ponytail falls
Mosier plateau trail.
There are some parts that you have to pay to drive through, which was kind of garbage and a cash grab, although we said we were on our honeymoon and the ranger just let us through so lucky us.
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moonracer4260
13 contributions
Aug 2022
From beautiful waterfalls to river sports, this place is amazing and surrounded by some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes I've ever seen! Grand Canyon was impressive by sheer size but this place has staggeringly beautiful views mile after mile.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mchangle
Fremont, CA25 contributions
For those who wish to do this tour on their own, please know that you will be stopped by Rangers after Bridal Veil Falls if you do not have a purchased permit specifying the time slot allotted to visit. They need to enforce crowd control during high tourist season. Road is narrow & winding. Parking spaces are limited. An alternative is to ride the shuttle.
Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quinn
California36 contributions
How does the permit for Columbia River Gorge work? Can we purchase the day of? I look up online & there’s time slot, so we’re only allowed to drive the scenic high way during this time slot? We stay in Stevenson & plan to spend 2 days to hike couple waterfalls. How should I purchase the permit while they only allow 1 hr window & we intend to spend the whole day in the area?
Joe
Seattle, WA28 contributions
Will be staying in Lyle from Sept 27-30th.
What are your favorite hikes?! There are too many to choose from!
Moderate to strenuous, around 4-8 miles is great.
Also wondering if we should use a day to hike somewhere at Mt. Hood, and if so, which one?
Any recommendations on must do/ must see and advice would be awesome.
Thanks!
Robert H
2 contributions
Staying at Skymania Lodge would like suggestions on sites around the area to see. we have tree days. Also Hood River area
ellen j
kealakekua87 contributions
I plan to hike in the Gorge area. Any suggestions on the Washington or Oregon side for hikes 5+ miles RT. So many choices not sure where to start.
Also any recommendations on tent camping...prefer smaller campgrounds without a lot of large RV’s. I’m driving down from NW Washington.
Helen S
Shelbyville, KY5 contributions
Also check out Tamanawas Falls in Hood River, OR, I did this trail in Mid August and it was a beautiful trail through the forest and a nice relaxing waterfall at the end. It might be closed for the season. Install the app AllTrails as well. That will give you trails in your area to hike. I used it a week later at Glacier National Park and it was very, very helpful. I do not know anything about tent camping in the Gorge area. Sorry. Have a great time hiking in this beautiful fall weather.
Becky G
16 contributions
Hello, our family has had a 2 week trip to the coast of Washington and then Oregon planned for a year with the final stop at Hood River them Mt Ranier. We thought things were looking better about a month ago with the plan for both states to be opened by the time of our trip, which starts June 27. It looks as though some counties in Washington and Oregon are open and some are not. We are flying out to Seattle and then we have an RV that we are renting once we get there. Unfortunately several of the campgrounds we are staying in have to be closed due to the counties they are in. Supposedly they may reopen, but there is no plan right now it sounds like. It’s as though every other stop we have now we may not have a place to stay. This is making me nervous. Also, in Crater Lake is one of our stops and it isn’t open, l and of course we wanted to see the places that are closed. Do any of you locals have any feel for whether we should just Just cancel this trip? I’m going to bawl my eyes out if we have to, but we are from Indiana and my husband and myself with four kids this was going to be a very expensive trip and I’m not sure it would be worth it if we can’t see all the things we had hoped to see. We will be losing money either way because some of the places we are going to are open and are not refunding because they are open in those counties. It is super hard to figure out what may be open and what may still be closed. I know this is a longshot but I thought I would try here for any advice.
Joe G
8 contributions
Most of Oregon is open but I would talk to the state tourism agency, Travel Oregon. They should have all the info you need.
Daisy142
Bloomingdale, NJ52 contributions
My husband and I would like to go to the CRG in the Fall. We have several questions?
1. Oregon side or Washington side?
2. What is the best time to go? Sept? Oct?
3. Can we stay at one location and easily access most of the hikes or should we plan to stay at different locations (ex: East and West)?
4. Which of the areas where most effected by the fires and should that impact where we stay?
Thanks in advance you all for your help!
Dale H
Tillamook, OR1,320 contributions
1. Oregon side
2. September is usually best... good choice!
3. I would stay in Hood River at one location to maximize your hiking time!
4. Some trails are still closed, but Hood River is well away from all hiking trails, including those that were most affected by the fires.
5. ENJOY! The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful areas of the Pacific Northwest....you will LOVE it!
Lisa B
Houston, TX7 contributions
What’s the best way to get there? Uber? I don’t have time to do a tour but I really want to go!
Jilly070
Hudson, WI10,422 contributions
I agree with the rest- it’s something you really need to drive so you can pull over for photo ops (many!) whenever you choose. We rented a car for 2 days. Such a gorgeous drive!!! Have fun!!!
Ann P
Wodonga, Australia94 contributions
Which time of the day is best for visiting the gorge? We are staying in Portland and planning to drive out as far as Hood River.
Gerry M
3 contributions
I would sujest that a mid morning to mid afternoon would be best time, afternoons can get very windy and also hot
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingColumbia River Gorge - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia River Gorge
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Columbia River Gorge:
- Columbia River Gorge Tour from Portland (From HK$519.71)
- Mt. Hood/Gorge Waterfall Loop from Portland (From HK$999.42)
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland (From HK$629.46)
- Private - 1/2 day Columbia River Gorge & Waterfalls Tour From Portland (From HK$4,677.12)
- Private - Mt Hood & Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour From Portland (From HK$5,066.88)
- Hotels near Columbia River Gorge:
- (0.04 km) Bridge View Loft *30 day minimum
- (0.04 km) Modern, Amazing Views, Walk to Downtown
- (0.15 km) Hood River Hotel
- (0.19 km) Fresh & Bright! River View, A/C, Quiet Street on East Side
- (0.36 km) Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River
- Restaurants near Columbia River Gorge:
- (0.13 km) Celilo Restaurant & Bar
- (0.14 km) Broder Øst
- (0.13 km) Sushi Okalani
- (0.14 km) Andrew's Pizza & Bakery
- (0.12 km) Ground
- Attractions near Columbia River Gorge:
- (0.09 km) Sol Rides
- (0.12 km) Mount Hood Railroad
- (0.13 km) Gorge Flyboard
- (0.08 km) Big Winds
- (0.12 km) Springhouse Cellar