Explore Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Small-Group Tour

Explore Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Small-Group Tour

The 85-mile (137-km) long Columbia Gorge NSA would be a national park if it weren't a critical transportation corridor. It features waterfalls, mountains, monoliths, terraces, resort towns, vineyards, orchards, and The River, harboring a plethora of fish and birds, and unique plants and invertebrates. In the early 1900s, Portlanders would drive their Model T cars along the Columbia River Highway to gaze at waterfalls. It was the first scenic highway built in America. There is said to be over 4000 waterfalls; many are hidden away, but many are just a short hike off the Historic Highway. On this tour you'll explore the western, rainforested, southern side of the Gorge, dubbed "waterfall alley" where we'll have you getting wet under a waterfall, peering over cliffs, and learning stories of the area only the locals know. Your guide will return you to your departure location at the end of the tour. Book our Discover Portland Half-Day Small-Group City Tour as well, and receive $10 cash back.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon

On the eastern edge of the Portland Metro Area is the western edge of the beautiful 85-mile long Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Columbia River Highway, State Highway 30 from Troutdale to The Dalles, Troutdale, OR 97060

Your guide will drive you along segments of this stunning 74-mile (119 -km) highway that was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sandy River, Oregon

We'll parallel the Sandy River while driving the western segment of the Columbia River Highway. The Sandy's headwaters is a glacier on Mt. Hood, and the river is known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. As a result, the Sandy is one of three tributaries of the Columbia who's dams have been removed since 2007.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, State Highway 30, Troutdale, OR 97060

Here's your chance to capture the quintessential Gorge shot.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Vista House, 40700 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019-9725

This 100-year-old 'fanciest rest stop in the world' sits atop a basalt point above the Columbia River, with a 360-degree balcony. The sandstone, limestone, and marble building includes historical interpretation and fancy restrooms.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Latourell Falls, Guy W. Talbot State Park., Corbett, OR

A short walk from the vehicle reveals a 249-foot hanging waterfall adorned with fluorescent lichen and columnar basalt.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area, State Highway 30, Troutdale, OR 97060

This delightful little cove provides for a hidden surprise and some remarkable pictures.

Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Bridal Veil Falls State Park, Columbia River Scenic Highwy, Milepost 28, Corbett, OR 97019

An old logging ghost town dating to the 1880s, harboring a waterfall, an operating post office, and a circa-1920s B & B.

Pass By: Wahkeena Falls, Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, OR

A short switch-back trail through Hemlock and Doug-fir leads to a bridge at the base of the falls.

Stop At: Multnomah Falls, 53000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Bridal Veil, OR 97010

The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.

Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Oneonta Gorge, Cascade Locks, OR 97014

A slot canyon created by a fault, with plants growing on the walls found nowhere else.

Stop At: Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge, Columbia Gorge, Hood River, OR

Get some quirky photos at this quirky waterfall!

Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: State Route 14 in Beacon Rock State Park, North Bonneville, WA

View the fifth-largest free-standing monolith in the world, from a distance.

Pass By: Rooster Rock State Park, Interstate 84 East, Corbett, OR 97019

As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America's oldest continuously running nudist beach!