Oregon’s Gorge-ous Experience 

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by Cheré Coen

Sometimes just what you need falls in your lap. 

When we decided to move to Portland to be closer to our son, we expected months before our condo sold, time to explore what neighborhoods we would live in and what we could afford. The condo sold on the first showing and the buyer paid cash so we had three weeks to head west.

A place we knew nothing about!

It took a full weekend of exploring websites until we landed on a cute rental in Gresham, a town on the southeastern border of the Portland Metro Area. Never heard of Gresham or knew what to expect (turned out to be absolutely perfect) but on a map, I noticed one important detail. 

It was minutes from the Columbia River Gorge.

For a nature lover like me, being that close to the largest collection of waterfalls in North America (around 250!), including Multnomah Falls, the largest in Oregon, and several state parks, quaint towns and hot springs, I knew I hit pay dirt. 

I’ve been spending my first year in Portland exploring the Gorge, so I have plenty of great sites to share along with ideal places to stay and dine. 

The Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge spans six counties within Oregon and Washington and remains the only sea level route through the Cascade Mountain Range. Many of Gorge’s waterfalls can be seen along the Historic Columbia River Highway that parallels Interstate 84 on the Oregon side and Hwy. 14 on the Washington side. One place to gain an overview is the Vista House in Oregon, built in the early 1900s and perched high above the river only a few miles from Portland. If you’re chasing waterfalls, it’s best to park at each site on either side of the river and hike through the ancient forests. 

Multnomah Falls

Visitors flock to the largest of the Columbia River waterfalls—and rightly so. The cascading waters of Multnomah Falls descend into a pool, then down a second rock outcrop to produce a dramatic sight. Admission is free but parking can sometimes be an issue at the most visited recreation site in the Pacific Northwest, especially in summer. Best to obtain a reservation through recreation.gov and walk the short distance to the falls. The historic Multnomah Falls Lodge at the waterfalls’ base contains a restaurant, bar and gift shop. 

Cascade Locks, Herman 

Just east of Multnomah Falls lies the town of Cascade Locks featuring restaurants and brewpubs, hotels, hiking trails and the Cascade Locks Marine Park with its Cascade Locks Historical Museum, riverside beach, picnic areas and the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge steamboat. Don’t miss stopping at one of Oregon’s favorite ice cream spots; Eastwind Drive-In not only serves up tasty ice cream, they pile it super high. 

One of the earth’s largest fish swims just west of Cascade Locks at the Bonneville Hatchery. Named “Herman, the sturgeon,” Oregon’s famous fish clocks in at 10-feet-long and weighing nearly 500 pounds. Visitors—it’s estimated that more than half a million visit every year—can view him underwater at a special facility within the Hatchery.

The Bridge of the Gods

Around 500 years ago, a landslide formed a natural bridge across the Columbia River and the native Cascade Watlala people called the land bridge Tahmahnaw, or “bridge of the gods” as later translated by European Americans. You might remember actress Reese Witherspoon walking across the manmade bridge at the conclusion of the 2014 film “Wild.” The bridge celebrates its 100th anniversary this year (2026) with special events in October. 

Stevenson 

On the Washington side from Cascade Locks lies the quaint town of Stevenson with its boutique shops, a fabulous bookstore-thrift shop and several restaurants. Visitors may stay at the forested cabins, glamping and treehouses nestled in the woods or within the expansive lodge that makes up Skamania Lodge, a 175-acre resort with river vistas. The property includes a nine-hole golf course, tennis, zip line, and full-service spa with an indoor pool, outdoor soaking pool with miniature waterfall and peaceful hot tubs inside the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Dining ranges from a pub-like experience at River Rock Lounge or fine dining at Skamania’s Cascade restaurant.

Carson

A few miles east of Stevenson lies Carson Hot Springs, where visitors may enjoy mineral springs in a therapy pool with their accommodations or a more private bathing experiences for an extra fee at the Carson Hot Springs Spa. The resort dates to the early 1900s with its original hotel building the place to check in. Isadore’s restaurant serving up tasty craft cocktails and entrees (and a happy hour from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily) is located up the hill next to the golf course. 

The small town of Carson has its own charm; we especially loved Crosscut Espresso for breakfast and the Carson Merchantile selling local products and artwork. About five miles out of town we hiked the Arboretum trail at the Wind River Experimental Forest, a historic site dating to early 20^th century lumbering days. It’s an easy hike following through a variety of ecosystems with an occasional sapsucker keeping you company.

Hood River & The Fruit Loop

One of the largest towns along the Gorge is Hood River on the Oregon side, offering a variety of dining options, a thriving artist community, cute boutique shops, antique spots like Cajun & Clover and breweries. The quaint town derives its name from Mt. Hood, a dramatic volcano that towers over the region like a protective father. Down by the river visitors will spot wind surfers, paddleboarders and kiteboarders. 

Branching out from Hood River is a driving loop known as the Fruit Loop for its collection of countryside wineries and cideries, fruit orchards and farms. There’s so many farmstands to enjoy but some of our particular favorites include The Fruit Company with its museum and a peek inside its fruit production plant; Wy’East Vineyards where we enjoyed a delightful flight on their deck overlooking a llama farm and nearby mountains; Stave and Stone Winery with its spacious patio amidst vineyards and gardens; and Draper Girls Country Farm where you can feed goats and enjoy a fabulous swing from a massive tree.