Nearby to Skamania Lodge, Portland, Oregon is an iconic city of the Northwest, embodying a sense of nature, progress and diversity. During your vacation at our Stevenson, WA hotel, make sure to take a day trip to Portland and visit any of these spectacular, Columbia River Gorge attractions perfect for the entire family.
Multnomah Falls is a convenient stop on the drive from Portland or the airport on the way to Skamania Lodge, and it is easily the Columbia River Gorge's most famous waterfall. Multnomah Falls is a main attraction near Portland, Oregon. It's visited by nearly 2 million people a year, but once you stand before this towering 620ft two-tiered column of water; you'll come to see why it's so popular.
Explore Gorge history, geology, and Native culture exhibits.
Located just west of The Dalles, OR, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This 26,100 square foot exhibit wing holds interpretive displays which describe the tremendous volcanic upheavals and raging floods that created the Gorge, explanations of why ice ages occur, how the mighty Columbia River sculpted the ecology of the region for a unique and spectacular diversity of vegetation and wildlife. Native American cultures are represented along with more recent Euro-American activities.
Tour the powerhouse (seasonal), visit the fish ladders, and learn about hydroelectric engineering.
Bonneville Lock & Dam, built and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was the first federal lock and dam on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The project’s first powerhouse, spillway and original navigation lock were completed in 1938 to improve navigation on Columbia River and provide hydropower to the Pacific Northwest. A second powerhouse was completed in 1982, and a larger navigation lock in 1993.
Bonneville Hatchery is Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s largest hatchery facility and has a diverse fish production program. It is used for adult collection, egg incubation and rearing of Tule fall Chinook, and adult collection and spawning of coho salmon. It is also used for rearing of, summer steelhead, winter steelhead and coho (coho egg incubation occurs at Cascade Hatchery). The hatchery has excellent egg and fingerling quarantine facilities that are often used to assist other hatchery programs in the basin. Best time to visit: All year for display ponds. September - October for adult fall Chinook and coho salmon spawning.
Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge operates dining and sightseeing cruises along the Columbia River with departures from Cascade Locks Marine Park. A popular boat tour less than an hour from Portland for locals and tourists alike, come aboard to experience the breathtaking vistas of northwest Oregon.
Whitewater rafting on the White Salmon River in the Columbia River Gorge. Have the time of your life splashing through Granny Snatcher, Corkscrew, Top Drop, the legendary (and optional) 14 ft Husum Falls and other great rapids. Zoller's provides absolutely everything you need for your rafting fun.
Overlooking the Columbia River, Beacon Rock State Park is a great destination for hiking, technical climbing, horseback riding, and biking. There are endless year-round vantage points to take in the extraordinary Columbia River Gorge views.
This viewpoint along Highway 30 was the site of the 1916 dedication of the Columbia River Highway, the innovative European-style road that traced a winding path through the perilous Columbia River Gorge, linking Portland and The Dalles. Vista House opened in 1918 as a glamorous rest stop and observatory for those traveling the new highway. This “comfort station” was a rest stop like no other, featuring marble floors, stained glass windows — and, of course, a stunning view. In the words of The Oregonian, it was “the finishing achievement for the greatest highway in America.”
An eclectic museum overlooking the Gorge with art, gardens, and unique exhibits. Maryhill Museum of Art ignites a journey of educational enrichment in the Columbia River Gorge by preserving and interpreting art and historic collections.
The Hood River Fruit Loop is a must-visit destination for couples, families, and anyone who loves fresh flavors and scenic views. Along this charming 35-mile loop, you’ll find 28 unique stops—ranging from u-pick orchards and farm stands to cozy bakeries, country markets, wineries, and craft breweries. All of it is set against a breathtaking backdrop of rolling orchards and panoramic views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.
This amazing museum has one of the largest collections of still-flying antique aeroplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country. The items on display at this museum are not only full of history, they’re full of LIFE! Aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, tractors, military jeeps and engines all get their day in the sun again at WAAAM.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest includes over 1.3 million acres of forest, wildlife habitat, watersheds & mountains, including Mt. Adams & Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Located on the north side of Mt. Hood, Lost Lake offers fishing, boat and canoe rentals (motors strictly prohibited), mountain biking, hiking and access to the Pacific Crest Trail.
Mt. Hood Meadows operates on a special use permit in the Mt. Hood National Forest, offering some of the most spectacular skiing and snowboarding in the Northwest. The resort is just 67 miles from Portland, and it delivers a big mountain experience you'd expect to travel much farther to enjoy. The resort sprawls across Mt. Hood's southeast flank: the sunny side of Mt. Hood. Meadows' terrain welcomes and challenges all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Mt. Hood Meadows is a place to rest and get away, a place filled with adventure and epic powder days, a place to create memories with friends and family, a place to learn something new, and a place called "home" by many.
The Pittock Mansion was home to Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock from 1914 to 1919. During the late 1800s and the early 1900s, their lives and work paralleled the growth of Portland from a small Northwest town site to a thriving city with a quarter million population. With its eclectic architectural design and richly decorated interior, including family artifacts, the Pittock Mansion stands today as a living memorial of this family’s contributions to the blossoming of Portland and its people.
The Grotto is a nonprofit center with 62 acres of botanical gardens, carved shrines, a cave and a chapel. It offers tranquil paths, stunning views and spiritual meditation for visitors of all faiths. For a truly unique experience at the Grotto, look to visit during the holiday season. From the day after Thanksgiving until the end of December, the spaces of the Grotto are lit for the holidays and it’s an absolutely beautiful time to visit.
The Portland Japanese Garden was born in 1963 as a healing site for cross-cultural exchange and community respite. Since opening to the public in 1967, the nonprofit garden has grown into an internationally renowned institution, welcoming nearly half a million visitors annually. The Garden sits nestled in the hills of Portland, Oregon’s iconic Washington Park, overlooking the city and providing a tranquil, urban oasis for locals and travelers alike.
