With lush forests, an incredibly high concentration of waterfalls, and bucket list hikes, the Columbia River Gorge, which divides Washington and Oregon, is packed with adventure. We’re sharing all the places you won’t want to miss!
The Columbia River Gorge is easily one of my favorite places in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve visited more times than I can count (at least 30!), and on each trip I discover more gems.
The Columbia River stretches 85 miles, carving its way through the Cascade Mountain range and in doing so, dividing Washington and Oregon.
This stretch is home to hikes, wineries, cute towns, and more than 90 waterfalls. Yes, you read that right! It’s honestly overwhelming because there are so many falls in this area. And many of them are not just nice, but pick-your-jaw-off-the-ground, mind-blowingly incredible.
I’ve rounded up all my very favorite things to do in the Columbia River Gorge to help you plan the perfect stay or to create a bucket list that you can check off each time you visit.
Some of the things included on this list are the top attractions (yes, Multnomah Falls is on here because even though it is popular, it’s ICONIC), but I’ve also included plenty of hidden gems.
Planning note: I do want to make note that I am taking a loose interpretation of the Columbia River Gorge. Some of these locations are not directly on the river itself, but nothing is too far of a drive. There are locations on both the Washington and Oregon sides.
Columbia River Gorge Guide
My personal experience in the Gorge
Being that we live just a 2.5-hour drive from the Columbia River Gorge, we go all the time. And when I say all the time, I mean it. We go at least once per season, and oftentimes more.
I have favorite restaurants and favorite waterfalls in the Gorge that I love to return to, but I’m also always finding new gems, making me fall in love with this spot over and over again.
Best time to visit? Honestly, I love this area at all times of the year and think each has its own draw. But if I had to choose, spring might just be my favorite because waterfalls are at their highest flow, wildflowers are blooming, and temperatures are comfortable.
1. Chase Waterfalls
The absolute best thing to do when in the Columbia River Gorge is to go chasing waterfalls. I’m not going to list them all individually because there are more than NINETY FREAKING WATERFALLS in this area.
Instead, I’ve created a list of my very favorite waterfalls in the Gorge so you know which ones to prioritize.
And if you want just a quick glance, here are a few that should be on your radar:
- Multnomah Falls: The most visited natural site in the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason. At 620 feet, it’s jaw-dropping. Yes, it gets crowded. Go early or in the off-season. And yes, it’s still totally worth it.
- Bridal Veil Falls: A short, easy hike leads to this two-tiered beauty. It’s often overlooked because Multnomah gets all the attention, which means fewer crowds for you.
- Panther Creek Falls: On the Washington side and a little drive away from the river, this waterfall fans out dramatically and feels surprisingly wild and remote.
- Falls Creek Falls: Not far from Panther lies another hidden gem with a three-tier cascade. The trail is gorgeous too, winding through old-growth forest.
- Wahclella Falls: The trail follows a narrow gorge and the payoff is spectacular. Not too long, not too short. Perfect.
→ Read my full Columbia River Gorge waterfall guide for detailed trail info, parking tips, and tons more falls.
2. Go on a wildflower hike (in Spring)
Spring in the Gorge is something else. The hillsides explode with color, and these three hikes are the best way to experience it.
Important note: Please practice Leave No Trace when doing wildflower hikes. In addition to the “normal” LNT principles (like not littering, DUH!), please stay on the path and do not pick wildflowers. Each year we see more and more people doing these things, and it can be very damaging to the blooms. You can still get very cute pictures by sticking to designated trails and refraining from plucking them!
- Dog Mountain Trail: The most famous wildflower hike in the Gorge, and the payoff views from the top are stunning. Fair warning: this one is a butt-kicker. It gains about 2,800 feet in under 4 miles. If you are traveling during a weekend in the spring, you’ll need a parking permit or you’ll have to take a free shuttle. Find info on where to catch it here.
- Good to know: Blooms here tend to peak later than trails at lower elevation.
- Memaloose Hills: The wildflower displays here are seriously incredible, offering sweeping hillsides covered in bright yellow balsamroot and purple lupine that look almost too perfect to be real.
- Rowena Plateau Trail: Short, easy, and absolutely stunning. The plateau is covered in balsamroot and lupine in spring, with sweeping views of the river below. This is a great one for families or anyone who wants the wildflower experience without the serious climb.
Insider tip: Check this bloom map before your trip so you can track which hikes are currently in bloom (it varies based on rainfall, weather, and elevation).
→ Not visiting during Spring? No problem! We have a complete guide to the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge over on our sister site that are great for any season.
3. Explore the towns along the Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge has some genuinely charming small towns worth slowing down for. Each has its own vibe.
- Hood River: The hub of the Gorge. Walkable downtown, great restaurants, a thriving brewery scene, and access to both the fruit loop and the mountain. This is a great place to base yourself if you want easy access to everything.
- We have a full guide to Hood River with tons of ideas for things to do and tips like where to find the best eats.
- White Salmon: Just across the bridge from Hood River on the Washington side. Smaller, quirkier, and increasingly worth a detour for food and coffee. The views from town are incredible.
- The Dalles: The eastern gateway to the Gorge. A little grittier and more working-class than Hood River, but it’s got history, murals, and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center if you want context for everything you’re seeing.
- Cascade Locks: A tiny town right on the river, best known as the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail. Stop for a burger at Thunder Island Brewing or fish and chips at Brigham Fish Market.
- Stevenson: A low-key town on the Washington side of the Gorge with a lovely riverside walk. A solid stop if you’re exploring the north side of the river.
4. Visit Stonehenge
Yes, there is a full-scale Stonehenge replica in the Columbia River Gorge, and yes, it is exactly as wonderfully bizarre as it sounds.
Built by entrepreneur Sam Hill in the early 1900s as a WWI memorial, it sits on a bluff above the river near Maryhill, Washington, with sweeping views in every direction.
It’s worth a quick stop if you’re in the area and want to stretch your legs. Better yet, catching sunset (or sunrise) here would be pretty spectacular.
Good to know: It’s on the eastern end of the Gorge, so plan it as part of a longer day trip rather than a quick detour.
5. Treat yourself to a spa day at The Society Hotel in Bingen
If you could use a hot soak or a massage (or both!) after a long day of hiking, The Society Hotel in Bingen on the Washington side of the Gorge is a great place to reset.
The bathhouse offers indoor and outdoor soaking tubs, a sauna, cold plunge, and spa treatment options. And you don’t have to be a guest to use it.
If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can reserve a day pass by the hour.
Spa Day pass:
- $35 per hour
- Full day pass is $150
- Children are allowed (nighttime hours are an exception)
- Closed 12-1pm daily for cleaning, &11am-4pm every Tuesday for maintenance
- Advance reservations required
→ Check their availability, as this would be a great place to base yourself for a getaway in the Gorge.
6. Discover the vineyards
The Columbia River Gorge is a designated AVA (American Viticultural Area), which means the wine here is the real deal.
The combination of volcanic soil, dramatic elevation changes, and intense sun creates wines you can’t get anywhere else.
- Stave & Stone: A Hood River favorite with a relaxed, welcoming tasting room and incredible views. Sit outside if the weather is nice. And visit the lavender farm next door if it is in bloom.
- The Gorge White House: Part winery, part cidery, part u-pick farm. You can pick berries or flowers and then sip wine in one of the most scenic settings in the Hood River Valley. Peak magic in summer. They also have a food truck with a small but nice menu featuring local produce.
- Sunshine Mill Winery: Set inside a beautifully restored flour mill in The Dalles. The building alone is worth the visit.
- Idiot’s Grace: Small, natural wine producer that’s become a cult favorite. The name alone gets me every time. Definitely worth a stop if you’re into interesting, lower-intervention wines.
Tip: Many of these are only open on weekends or have limited hours. Always check before you drive out.
7. Hit up a brewery
The craft beer scene in the Gorge is seriously strong. There are too many to list, but these are the spots worth knowing.
- Backwoods Brewing Company: A family-owned gem tucked in Carson, Washington with serious Pacific Northwest vibes and a laid-back, unpretentious spirit. Great pizza, great smoked meats, great beer. One of the most underrated stops on the Washington side.
- Everybody’s Brewing: Based in White Salmon and one of the best in the Gorge. Great beer, great food, great views from the deck. We love their pulled pork nachos (they are splittable for a whole meal!).
- pFriem Family Brewers: Hood River’s most acclaimed brewery. Located right on the waterfront with stunning views of the river and Mount Hood. Known for Belgian-influenced ales and excellent food. If it’s too busy, you can grab a 6-pack to go.
- Double Mountain Brewery: A Hood River institution. The pizza is legendary. Come hungry, order a pint and a pie, and stay a while.
- Solera Brewery: Up in Parkdale, closer to Mount Hood. Worth the drive for the mountain views alone, but the beer is excellent too. A mellower, more local vibe.
8. Drive the Fruit Loop
The Hood River Fruit Loop is a 35-mile scenic drive through the Hood River Valley, passing orchards, farms, u-pick operations, lavender fields, and farm stands.
We have a full guide to the Fruit Loop, but here are some tips:
- Summer is peak season for cherries, berries, and lavender.
- Hood River U-pick Organic for cherries and relaxing in a hammock
- Hood River Lavender for lavender lemonade and U-pick lavender
- Fall is apple and pear season
- Apple Valley Country Store for pear dumplings
- Pearl’s Place for their famous Gorge Glacier
- More of my favorites:
- Packer’s Orchard for fresh pears, jams, and cookies (the vanilla pear jam is addictive)
- Pear Bloom Farm where you can arrange your own dried flower bouquet starting at $12
9. Check out the Salmon Ladder at Bonneville Fish Hatchery
The Bonneville Dam has an underwater viewing window where you can watch salmon and steelhead migrating upstream. It’s pretty mesmerizing, and kids will especially love this!
Peak viewing is fall during the salmon run, but there’s activity year-round (with other types of fish). It’s free to visit, and it takes about an hour max.
10. Take in the views at the Vista House
The 360-degree views of the river from Vista House are stunning, and the building itself is a beautiful piece of early 20th century architecture. It’s a quick stop (15-20 minutes), free to enter, and an easy add-on to any waterfall day.
Tip: The Historic Columbia River Highway between Vista House and Multnomah Falls is gorgeous. Drive it slowly and stop at every overlook.
11. Stargaze at the Goldendale Observatory
Okay, not exactly on the Gorge, but it’s close enough (and cool enough!) that I’m adding it to this list!
On the Washington side of the river, near Goldendale, this state park observatory is one of the best public stargazing spots in the Pacific Northwest. The high desert location means less cloud cover and minimal light pollution.
They offer free public viewings through their telescopes throughout the year, by appointment only.
Important info:
- Viewings take place most Fridays & Saturdays from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. (year-round)
- Discover Pass is required to park ($10 day-pass, $45 annual pass)
- You must make a reservation
- See their schedule and make reservations here.
12. Stay a little longer
If you have extra days, these nearby areas are worth exploring.
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Right on the Washington side, this sprawling forest is home to Panther Creek Falls, Falls Creek Falls, Lower Lewis River Falls, and some seriously underexplored backcountry. It feels completely different from the main Gorge corridor and rewards those who venture in.
- Mount Hood National Forest: Head south from Hood River and you’re quickly in one of the most beautiful mountain forests in Oregon. Trillium Lake, Lost Lake, Tamanawas Falls, Tom, Dick & Harry Hike, and Timberline Lodge are all worth checking out.
- Psst! We have a guide to the best hikes in Mount Hood over on our sister site.
Things to do in the Columbia River Gorge that are still on our list
As I’ve mentioned, we return to the Gorge time and time again and each time we find new experiences while reliving some of our favorites. These are some cool experiences that are on the to-do list for our next trip:
- Mount Hood Railway Biking: This is not your average bike ride. Custom-built two-person railbikes take you along actual train tracks through the Hood River Valley, pedaling (with motor assist on the climbs) past bridges, waterfalls, pine forest, and into orchard and vineyard country with Mount Hood looming in the distance. It’s been on our radar for years.
- Hike Beacon Rock State Park: The second-largest monolith in North America is right here in the Gorge. The hike to the top involves a series of switchbacks and railings drilled into the rock face and looks absolutely wild. We keep meaning to do it.
Where to eat in the Columbia River Gorge
These are the spots I actually go back to, not just ones I’ve heard are good.
- Sugar Pine Drive-In: Classic roadside drive-in with excellent food and decadent soft serve sundaes that you can’t miss. Cash only, worth it every time.
- Trout Lake Hall: A community hall that serves as a restaurant out near Trout Lake, Washington. The kind of place you’d never find unless someone told you.
- Backwoods Brewing Company: Great brewery, smoked meats and pizza in a relaxed, woodsy setting. One of the more underrated spots on the Washington side.
- Brigham Fish Market: Fresh fish, simple prep, right on the water in Hood River. Get the sturgeon fish and chips if they have it (trust me!).
- Everybody’s Brewing: Already mentioned in the brewery section but worth repeating. The food is genuinely great. Get the pulled pork nachos!
- Kickstand Coffee + Kitchen: One of our very favorite spots in Hood River for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We’ve been there too many times to count and while the service fluctuates in friendliness, the food is always great.
- Love and Hominy: Fusion tacos and margaritas in a fun and casual setting. We tried them all and especially loved the Vietnamese taco!
- Pesco: For a true hidden gem, this food truck on the outskirts of town serves up some incredible rustic Italian food. Be sure to have a spot in mind because there’s nowhere to eat it on site.
Where to stay in the Columbia River Gorge
Hood River: The best base for exploring the Gorge. You’re central to both the Oregon and Washington sides, close to great food and breweries, and within easy driving distance of all the main attractions. There are several hotel options ranging from budget to boutique.
Skamania Lodge: A splurge-worthy resort on the Washington side with dramatic views of the Gorge. The kind of place where you could easily spend an entire weekend just sitting on the deck. Great for a special occasion or if you want the full resort experience without driving far.
Columbia Gorge Getaways: Unique vacation rentals in the Gorge, including yurts, cabins, and treehouses. This is a great option if you want something different and more immersive. We’ve stayed in one of their yurts and loved it.
The Society Hotel Bingen: Mentioned above for the bathhouse, but they also have rooms and bunk beds at a range of price points. It’s a beautifully designed, thoughtfully run hotel with a lot going on. A great option if you want something with character and don’t want to spend a fortune.
Plan your trip to the Pacific Northwest
Being that Oregon is our home state and we also lived in Washington for a while, we have TONS of content to help you plan your trip. Start with our homepages for Oregon and Washington and be sure to check out the articles below. Leave us a comment if you have any more questions!
- Start with this list of the best things to do in Washington State (our favorite US state! shhh…don’t tell our fellow Oregonians).
- We know all the best things to do in Bend, Oregon (we live here!)
- If you need more ideas, here are some incredible places to visit in Oregon.
- Read up on all the weirdly awesome things to do in Portland.
- If you’re headed west, here are all the cutest Oregon Coast towns.
- Don’t miss the cutest little town in Washington state: Leavenworth (we lived there for 8 months and have all the local secrets!).
- Keep this Washington National Parks guide close by.
Want to explore the PNW like a local?
If you want to save yourself hours of research planning your Pacific Northwest road trip, we’ve got something you might be interested in…
We created the ultimate resource for traveling in our home-region. Our custom PNW Map includes our top recommendations in Washington and Oregon, (including all 4 national parks in the region!).
We loaded this map with all of our favorite spots, personal tips and photos, and hidden gems we’ve run into as we continue to explore our little corner of the world.
This custom Google Map will help you navigate the PNW like a local!
Save this guide on Pinterest for later!
We want to hear from you!
Have you visited any of these spots in the Columbia River Gorge? We’d love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment and let us know — and if you have any questions before your trip, we’re happy to help.
Katie Diederichs is the lead writer and co-founder of Two Wandering Soles, where she creates in-depth travel guides, itineraries, and tips designed to help readers plan better trips with confidence. With a background in journalism, photography, and design, she combines thorough research with firsthand experience to deliver clear, practical, and visually driven travel content. As the primary trip planner, Katie turns complex logistics into easy-to-follow advice travelers can actually use.