Columbia R. Gorge Tour

4-6 hour options
(GorgeTour.com)

Such a marvel of deserts and woodland, peaks and waterfalls, sunshine and rain, can be found in no other place on earth. It is the only location worldwide where a complete mountain range is carved out by a powerful river.”

Stunning Viewpoints & Waterfalls, Ghost Towns, America's Original Scenic Highway and the Stories of the Fire Floods and Ice-Age Floods.

When you take a tour with My Chauffeur...

You...Skip the congestion & don't worry about finding parking...
Have fun & learn a great deal...and...
No permit is needed*!

"Now Tread We A Measure With My Chauffeur"

*The State of Oregon requires a permit to travel the historic highway, unless you are with a tour company.

If you look long enough, you can see it: An unimaginably vast wall of water, roaring 400 feet above the river traveling over 60 miles an hour and 100 feet below the rim of the chasm at the Columbia R Gorge. You would have heard it about 30 minutes before it arrived.
It is the "World's Greatest Floodwaters".
Today, the Ice Age Floods along the Columbia R Gorge requires some imagination, and a few artists' renderings (above), to see the majesty it once contained.
The cliffs are the "skeletal remains" of the once-great floods, fed by the cataclysmic Missoula Floods that swept through the region at the end of the last ice age. The waterfalls were originally meandering streams toward the Columbia, the flood waters created the waterfalls. As the water retreated, the Columbia R Gorge emerged.
Those same flood waters deposited nutrient-rich sediment into the Willamette Valley & Columbia R Gorge Wine Country. But for all the natural artifacts the floods left behind, the Columbia R Gorge, or perhaps Dry Falls ("the World's Greatest Waterfall") is the most spectacular.
The easiest way to imagine it is along the old Gorge highway, especially at Multnomah Falls viewpoint, where you view the great lava floods and imagine the great water floods. The stop features a large parking lot, visitor center, food vendors and a bathroom, and offers a walkway out to the viewpoints looking up at the cliffs and Falls.
No matter how you visit, Multnomah Falls & the Columbia R Gorge are well worth a pit stop. It's not every day that you see ancient remnants of the Greatest Water and Lava Floods* on Earth."
*Columbia River Basalt Floods

SERVICE WITHIN THE PORTLAND CITY LIMITS STATUS: CLICK HERE.
STATUS OF THIS TOUR: ACTIVE

PRIVATE Tour Experience

Highlights

Immerse yourselves in Columbia River Gorge history on this guided tour
Walk in the footsteps of the Gorge's original residents
Learn about the Gorge's light & dark history and hear about the areas colorful characters
Explore these hills, dales and cliff face's, as you uncover the stories of how it used to be, in the Gorge alongside the river.
Complete your experience with a stop at the "Poor Farm" the "Dam", café, or old-town Hood River, located 30 minutes east of the Gorge, in the foothills of Mt. Hood.

PRICE QUOTE

Gorge Experience

“Landslides, eddy bars, hydraulic dams, glacial erratics, lahars, lava tree molds, and more”

The western Columbia River Gorge is like a storybook of the past 40-50 million years, and we will open and read from several chapters of that book in a 4-8 hour bus/walking tour of a 10+ mile section of the Gorge between Corbett and Cascade Locks (see map at bottom) or beyond. As we turn some of those pages and take a glimpse into the incredible geology and more of the Columbia River Gorge, we will reveal many secrets that are hidden right in plain sight.

Massive landslides that dammed the Columbia River in the past;
Gargantuan lava outpourings that flank the present-day Columbia River, built the Cascade mountains, filled lakes, and left ghosts of lava-consumed forests;
Cataclysmic ice age floods that drained lakes, reshaped the landscape and scoured the Gorge;
The rapidly changing climatic zones and lush biota of the western Gorge;
Native American life and stories and legends.

The tour may involve some easy to moderate walking and will include a knowledgeable tour leader, field placards, a delicious box lunch (on request), drinks and snacks (on request), and comfortable bus transportation with continuing en-route AI commentary. But most important, it will brighten your eyes and enlighten your mind with amazing and delightful discoveries.

The bus leaves at 9AM sharp, unless you prefer to leave at some other time.

9AM or 2PM DAILY (4-HOUR OPTION) - Custom departure times on request and with 5+ hour tours.
Half-Day Public or Private Driving Tour - 4+ hours (If you would like a PRIVATE ONLY tour, please request it during the booking process.) with options to extend or a multi-tour or multi-day itinerary.

Authentic Portland (& FOOD) Experience

Coffee Drinks + Snack/Lunch Included - Tailored to your taste

COLUMBIA R GORGE & THE HIGH DESERT
4-8 hour tour options- (5-6 hours being the standard)
Adventure Package starting at $54
TourGorge.com

DRIVING TOUR DEPARTURE (MEETING) LOCATION @ 9AM or 2PM OR YOUR DESIRED CUSTOM START TIME.
DEPARTURE LOCATION:
YOUR HOTEL OR DESIRED LOCATION

FINAL ENDING LOCATION:
YOUR HOTEL OR DESIRED LOCATION

We will, on this tour, have a good road to drive on, something worthwhile to see, and something worthwhile to eat..."
**Sam Lancaster--Builder of the Columbia R. Gorge Scenic Hwy.

OUR WATERFALL STOPS*

*We see many, most or all of the waterfall stops depending on your preferences and length of tour

THIS PRIVATE OR PUBLIC TOUR INCLUDES:

Guide Phil guiding rural adventurers highlighting the Gorge's many charms, from iconic, idyllic waterfalls & viewpoints to the more obscure and out-of-the-way pockets of cool.
Discovering hidden gems and gardens, historic landmarks, highways & WPA projects, award winning & old-school lodges and restaurants, oddball shops and quaint museums in the Pacific Northwest's most exciting Scenic Area.
Crossing bridges and time, wandering down a worldly-honored road and be regaled with stories of the Gorge's storied past.
Riding a vintage railroad, crossing the Bridge of the Gods, staring at the 2nd biggest monolith in the world, taking 5 in a classic diner or lounge, reveling in the views of the Columbia R Gorge or opt for all of the above.
A warm welcome from the publican and locals, secret snack paired with a coffee* at one of our stops.
Tailored suggestions of the best restaurants, pubs, events, and attractions for the rest of your trip

*Snack and coffee not included in admission cost.
Whether you're looking for our classic 4-hour driving tour (with 5-6 get out and walk around stops) or a extended tour with 10+ get out and walk around stops, leisurely driving tour for up to 6-8 hours, tread a measure with My Chauffeur and see the Gorge!

Please inquire about our extended tour inclusions.
Note: Items listed above are potential items on our itinerary and are either included or potentially included. We welcome requests for items of interest--to be certain they are included.

DRIVING/ GUIDED TOUR -

3 to 8+ HOUR OPTIONS:
Call 503-969-4370 for PRICE QUOTE, or Request it HERE,
or go to $PRICING.

BOOK TOUR

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

OUR DAM & THE VIEWPOINT STOPS

Bonneville Dam addition

Chanticleer Point

Vista House-Crown Point
Image: Author: Kelvin Kay

Starvation Creek and Mitchell Point Tunnel & Viewpoint addition

Rowena Crest Viewpoint addition- Image: Author: Joe Parks

Ck out our 8-hour "Gorge In A Nutshell" option--below link 'Tour Intro'

Itinerary (The Gorge)

What is “The Gorge?”?
How was the Gorge named, how was Oregon named and how was the river formed. See the Crown Point Vista House, and hear the history of the 1st scenic highway in the U.S. and why it has always been – and will always be – at the heart of travelling through the Gorge. Get the inside knowledge from your local expert guide on what makes it 'The King of Roads'.
Enjoy the Mighty Craic
Sit down with the locals in a coffeehouse or pub, enjoy drinks & learn what the “Mighty craic” is, do some crazy stuff and then turn the craic all the way up to 90!
Be Welcomed by Landlords at Family-Owned Locals
Visit Lake Bonneville & Hood River's Oak street, the Gorge's own Main Street. Explore hidden gems frequented by in-the-know locals and take in the story of Hood River's 'seedy' past, discussing such subjects as the Valley's verdant meadows and fruit orchards, vineyards and valleys bounded by the twin volcanoes of Mt Hood and Mt Adams. And discover why many a story, song, or poem has been dreamt up in this valley with ‘more bountiful corners than any Garden of Eden’.
Explore the Birthplace of Culture in The Gorge
Walk through the historic area of Old Hood River-Old Town, the Spit and Waterfront and see why the town started in this area. Marvel at beautiful Victorian-era & industrial architecture.
Relax in a Proper Mariner Hotel
Sit down with the locals and finish the tour in a classic hotel from 1888 where explorers and sailors gathered to discuss business, rest, eat, drink and be merry. And try a Swedish coffee with a recipe that dates back as well. Sample a secret snack and learn why the scouser Kent Shoemaker made this area his usual stomping ground.
Advice and Support for the Rest of Your Trip
We like to stay in touch, so if there are any questions, big or small, for the rest of your trip, we’ll provide them over a coffee and we welcome you to message us post tour.

Dios mio! Learn More HERE... Or see details below.

Hood River (Image: Author: Sam Beebe) & the Bridge of the Gods (Image: Author: Roman Eugeniusz)

Questions? Ask PHIL!

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Kelvin Kay License Link

Read Reviews

Ask Questions or Get Quote

TOUR INTRO.

Details - Driving Tour

4-6 HOURS RECOMMENDED (+ OPTIONS) - Extended tours are available, please inquire.

PRICING*
(includes vehicle & driver/ guide)

Up to 4 HOURS:
$60 PER PERSON ESTIMATED (YOUR PERSON # AND DEPARTURE LOCATION MAY ALTER FINAL COST OR TOUR LENGTH)

5-HOURS:
Click HERE for pricing.

6+ HOURS:
Click HERE for pricing.

If persons are added to your tour (i.e. requested public tour) , pricing will reflect the reduced rate for the person # above. Children are welcome to join the tour, see below*.
For groups of over 21 guests or any other requests, please email [email protected]

TIME

9AM or 2PM Rain or Shine (4-HOUR TOURS) - - Custom departure times on request and with 5+ hour tours.

MEETING POINT

YOUR DT PORTLAND HOTEL OR DESIRED LOCATION (FOR DEPARTURES OUTSIDE OF DT PORTLAND, ADDITIONAL COST OR REDUCED TOUR TIME MAY APPLY.)

AVAILABILITY

DAILY, year-round. Except Dec 25 & Jan 1

INCLUDED*

tour + transportation + driver/guide

NOT INCLUDED

Lunch or Dinner; potential admission fees

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Pricing is based on 2-6 hours. Restrictions may apply. Above pricing is not guaranteed and may not be accurate--Confirm Pricing HERE.
This is a sedan or van transport tour. Please inquire about other tour options and rates/availability for our walking tour option and tour bus options for LG groups. Bring umbrellas and walking/rain shoes.

* Pricing is subject to change without notice. The following discounts may apply: Seniors - 20% off, after minimum tour requirement is met, Children 6-17 years - 50% off; Children 5 & under & Birthday person (Only valid once during week of Birthday) are FREE, after minimum tour requirement is met. For discounted or free services: vehicle minimum person costs (or a reduced discount) & maximum person capacity for your scheduled vehicle (if applicable) may apply, please inquire. Other restrictions may apply. Code: Under18discount or B-daypersonfree). Seniors and anyone receiving a discounted or the free B-day service may be required to show their I.D. to receive the discount.

BOOK DRIVING TOUR

Click HERE to customize your Columbia R Gorge tour, learn more and for options.

Itinerary (in chronological order, or in some cases, the reverse*):

First we'll travel to the Barn Museum-King of Roads Exhibit (Knowing the story adds appeal to your tour). This stop is an addition...
then to the Gorge...
along this route... (see map below-Troutdale or Corbett to Dodson) on the Old Road...
and see Chanticleer View Point...
and Crown Point/Vista House view point--two of the most spectacular views in the world, Madre mia! ...
then to the waterfalls and other stops, including maybe Bonneville Dam and/or Bridge of the Gods.

Plan ahead to get the most out of your experience
Avoid crowds and enjoy stunning vistas by following these tips!

Go Early – Start before 10 a.m. to beat the crowds.
Go Late – Crowds tend to leave after 4 p.m., so quick stops at waterfalls and vistas work well late in the day, when temperatures are cooler and sunsets are amazing.
Go Mid-Week – Venturing out on Tuesday - Thursday means smoother drives and fewer crowds.

Gorge- Ready, Set, Go

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Ask Questions or Get Quote

GET PRICE QUOTE

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Gorge Experience

Itinerary (The Gorge)

Details - Driving Tour

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