Columbia River Gorge Itinerary: Discover a Waterfall Paradise in Oregon

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of Oregon’s most popular nature sites, and, as it turns out, a popular place for windsurfing because of the strong winds that blow through the area. The hub for windsurfing and visiting the Columbia River Gorge is a small town called Hood River. Among the natural attractions that stand out are the splendid waterfalls; they are among the most visited in the state and attract millions of visitors each year who are excited to take memorable photos there.

What Is the Columbia River Gorge?

The Columbia River Gorge is the largest Scenic Area in the entire United States. It runs along the course of the Columbia River for about 93 miles, starting near a small town known as Troutdale, on the outskirts of Portland, to Miller Island.

The Historic Columbia River Highway that runs through it was the first American road built for tourist purposes rather than to connect point A to point B in the shortest possible time (that was built later and it is known today as Interstate 84). Thus, the goal was to build a road with as little impact on the environment as possible in order to enhance nature and its beauty. The result can still be admired today by visitors who can enjoy the splendid views.

Location, Directions, and Other Useful Info

As it was mentioned earlier, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is located in Oregon, and the best way to get there is from Portland. Usually, visitors reach the area via a loop that also passes through the Mt. Hood area. Along the Oregon side of the river, attractions can be visited by taking the aforementioned Historic Columbia River Highway, or (if you don’t have much time) using Interstate 84 to reach your destination more quickly. Some attractions, such as Multnomah Falls which is the most popular one, may require reservations at certain times of the year to gain access. So, I encourage you to consult the official resources to stay up-to-date on this.

Please note: As of 2022, a reservation system is also in place to travel along part of the Historic Columbia River Highway, specifically from Bridal Veil Falls to Ainsworth State Park, corresponding to Exits 28 and 35 of Interstate 84, respectively (the so-called Waterfall Corridor). In fact, from May 24 to September 5 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, only those who have made a reservation and paid the $2 admission will be able to access this area by car. A small number of free permits (about 10 percent) will be distributed each day at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center located at the Cascade Locks Historical Museum in Troutdale.

Things to Do in Columbia River Gorge

Here are the most important attractions you will come across while visiting the Columbia River Gorge.

Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Hikes

This place is home to some of the most spectacular and most visited waterfalls in Oregon. Let’s take a closer look at the most important ones.

Multnomah Falls

These are the most famous waterfalls in the area if not in the entire state of Oregon. In addition to being beautiful, the popularity of these falls can also be attributed to the fact that they are easy to reach since they are practically abutting both the Historic Columbia River Highway and Interstate 84. However, this has contributed to overcrowding (it is estimated that more than two and a half million people come to visit this area each year), and so, as a consequence, a quota was established.

From May through September you will need a reservation to be able to visit these falls. If you want to visit the falls during this time, you will have to go to this page and pay $1 (nonrefundable) for each reservation. Since 2020, more and more U.S. parks are adopting this system to regulate the number of visitors during the busiest months. For this reason, I invite you to read our in-depth article about U.S. parks that require reservations to stay up to date with these changes. At the end of the parking lot, there is the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, where, in addition to finding many themed souvenirs, you can enjoy lunch, dinner, or a quick snack at its restaurant. Once there, you can embark on a trail, just under 2.5 miles round trip via the Benson Bridge, that leads to an overlook at the top of the falls.

The best place to take a picture and observe the falls in my opinion, however, is the bridge. If you are wondering whether or not you can reach the base of Multnomah Falls, unfortunately, the answer is no. Access was banned following a near tragedy when a large boulder broke loose from the mountain and fell right into the area below, injuring several people.

Latourell Falls

Latourell Falls is located within Guy W. Talbot Park. From the parking lot, you can decide either to undertake the Latourell Falls Loop Trail in its entirety or to do just a section of it. If you are short on time, however, I suggest you head down the stairs near the bridge and descend to the base of the falls where you can admire them in all their grandeur. If, on the other hand, you have more time on your hands and want to complete the loop in its entirety, a 3-mile walk with an elevation gain of about 722 ft will await you. The park’s name is a tribute to Guy Webster Talbot, the former owner of this land, who in 1929 decided to donate it to the state. It is only because of his generosity that tourists from all over the world can therefore enjoy the spectacular Latourell Falls.

Bridal Veil Falls

Also, in this case, the trail to reach the falls begins close to the parking lot and you can opt whether to head directly to observe the Bridal Veil Falls or take the longer loop that will allow you to take a more leisurely view of the entire surrounding area and reach a vantage point from which to observe the Columbia River. The trail leading to the falls is about 0.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 984 ft.

Instead, if you take the longer loop, you will have to plan to walk just over 1968 ft on mostly flat terrain. Also across from the parking lot, there is the historic Bridal Veil Lodge Bed and Breakfast, which has been an excellent base for exploring the area since 1926. A short distance from the falls, there is a unique attraction: the Bridal Veil Post Office. This post office was built during the 1930s and is the second smallest one in the entire United States.

Horsetail Falls

Not to be confused with the falls in California with the same name, these are also easily accessible falls. In fact, even in the parking lot, which is located along the Historic Columbia River Highway, these falls can be seen in all their glory. If you then have time and want to take a stroll, a short trail (albeit a bit steep), about a mile round trip, will take you to the base of Upper Horsetail Falls, also known as Ponytail Falls.

Spirit Falls (Washington)

Although the famous waterfalls we have described so far are in Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge side of the Columbia River in Washington state is no less impressive. The Washington side features distinctive and fascinating Spirit Falls. The beginning of the trail is along Cook-Underwood Road. Although you will not find signage indicating where the trailhead is, it is quite recognizable because after a little more than 2 miles from the Lewis and Clark Highway exit you will find a clearing on the right side of the road where a few cars are usually parked.

The trail is short, about 0.75 miles, in fact. However, the elevation gain is about 492 ft, so it’s quite steep. Calculate about 30-40 minutes to complete the trail but pay close attention as you walk, since in some places the terrain can be slippery and complex to cross. In some sections, you will find a rope tied between the trees that, in addition to indicating that you are on the right path, will help you overcome the most difficult points.

Viewpoints and Other Attractions

There are not only waterfalls within the Columbia River Gorge. Keep reading to find out about the other major attractions in the area.

• Vista House: Built on the slopes of Crown Point in 1918, Vista House is one of the most iconic buildings in the area. It can be visited Friday through Monday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. There may be overtime closures if winds exceed 50 mph. You can check the official website for weather forecasts. Inside the Vista House, there is a gift shop and a café, and you can also go up to the observation deck that surrounds the building to get a view of the area from higher up.
• Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center: The center is located on the outskirts of the town called The Dalles at the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. We could call it a sort of visitor center for the area since it hosts exhibits and educational tours on the history, flora, and fauna of the area. For those who want to learn more about this area, this is the perfect place.
• Sugarpine Drive-In: Located near the Glenn Otto Community Park parking lot, just before (or after depending on your direction) the Sandy River Bridge, the Sugarpine Drive-in is this quaint spot that was once a gas station, but is now a well-established ice cream parlor that also serves excellent sandwiches and burgers.
• Chanticleer Point Lookout: This is one of the first scenic viewpoints you will encounter if you are traveling from west to east. You can enjoy a splendid view and catch a glimpse of the silhouette of the Vista Center in the distance.
• Angel Rest Lookout: To reach this elevated viewpoint you will have to hike a trail of just over 4 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,476 ft. The trail begins along the course of the Historic Columbia River Highway about a mile east of Bridal Veil Falls. The trailhead is also easily recognizable since it has its own parking lot nearby.
• Dog Mountain Lookout: This viewpoint is located on the Washington State side. To be able to admire the view, you will have to reach the top of Dog Mountain. In fact, you will have to undertake a trail almost 7 miles long round trip and an elevation gain of more than 2,900 ft. Also, at certain times of the year (every Saturday and Sunday from April 22 to June 12 for 2022) you will have to make a reservation to access the area.
• Rowena Crest Viewpoint: This viewpoint is easily accessible by car. It is located between Mosier and The Dalles, and the top of the hill overlooking the valley below is directly on the route of the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Columbia River Gorge Tours

If you have not had time to book your visit, or you want to go on a tour and leave your rental car parked for a day here are some interesting solutions:

• 20-minute aerial tour of the Columbia River Gorge
• Tour of the Columbia Gorge Falls from Portland
• 30-minute aerial tour of Multnomah Falls

To find out about other tours that may be right for you, click on the link below.

All tours available

Where to Stay in the Area