View All Standard Gorge Tour Options:
4-6 HOURS:
(for 7-12 hours, see below)
Standard options for your ¾ day tour - 5-6 hours: (lengthen your tour to 5-6 hours with the options below. Advance notice is required for all tour options. Consult with our staff for itinerary and pricing)*.
EATS:
Historic Restaurant lunch or dinner stop along the route at the historic:
HIKE THE GORGE! (Inquire about details for individual hikes)
Standard hikes (all considered easy) are already included in your 6 hour tour: (Year 'round) Note: a 4 or 5 hour tour will get to about 1/2 or 3/4 of the standard hikes below. Depending on your itinerary, you may or may not get to all the standard hikes.
Additional/optional or substitution hikes (below; Season: April through October) are on special request, are DIY, and may be at additional cost. If you want to do an additional hike, please notify us before your tour. A Trailhead Release Agreement form is required from each additional hike (see below *).
* This hike is easy or easy/moderate. Check out all the easy Gorge hikes here.
Wintertime or extended hike clothing
Trail boots, rain hat or umbrella
OPTIONS
Wool or polypropylene socks with liner sock
Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt
Pants (No Jeans!) appropriate for the day
Gore-Tex (or other wind/water-resistant material) Parka and Pants
Gloves/Mittens with windproof shells
Warm hat
VISIT A MUSEUM:
In the Gorge:
This all is enhanced by a stay at the:
(for 7-12 hours, see below)
Standard options for your ¾ day tour - 5-6 hours: (lengthen your tour to 5-6 hours with the options below. Advance notice is required for all tour options. Consult with our staff for itinerary and pricing)*.
EATS:
Historic Restaurant lunch or dinner stop along the route at the historic:
- Lunch at the Multnomah Falls Lodge:
- Snack Bar/Coffee Bar offering a variety of hot/cold drinks and food (turkey wraps, vege wraps, hot dogs, chips, ice cream, fudge, espresso etc. to go. $ (5-12 pp).
- Multnomah Falls Lodge restaurant $$$ (10-30 pp) - Additional tour costs apply unless prior approved (We recommend the 5-6 hour tour option).
- Roadhouse: Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplings $$$ - Eat dinner at "One of the Last Original Roadhouses" - Roadhouse from the 1920s era on the historic highway between Troutdale and Corbett. This alternate route of the Old Highway includes historic Troutdale, Springdale and Corbett. 1325 East Historic Columbia River Highway Troutdale, OR 503-666-5337 (Dinner Only)
- Roadhouse: Shirley's Tippy Canoe Bar & Grill $$$ - Coffee or food at the historic 1940s landmark restaurant serves breakfast. lunch & dinner daily. Everything is made from scratch from the freshest ingredients. Outdoor dining on the beautiful banks of the Sandy River. This is a riverside restaurant that was once featured on the Food Network's Diners. Drive-Ins and Dives for its large and messy Sloppy Joe's. 28242 E Historic Columbia River Hwy Troutdale, OR.
- Pompello Ristoriante Italiano $$ - 177 E Historic Columbia R Highway, Troutdale
- Riverview Restaurant - Unforgettable Setting - Troutdale Oregon is full of beautiful scenery as well as amazing restaurants of all shapes and sizes. Located just outside of Portland, Riverview Restaurant is a unique hidden gem nestled into the woods on a serene, beautifully-manicured property overlooking the Sandy River.
- Edgefield Manor $$ in Troutdale. (Milepost 0 on the Old Highway. Includes the section of the Historic Columbia River Highway from Edgefield through historic Troutdale and Corbett). Historic Edgefield, built in 1911 as the county poor farm, is a destination resort in the Pacific Northwest that blends Oregon's natural beauty with McMenamins' signature whimsy: original buildings carefully restored with cozy interiors, gardens grown using organic methods, great food and drink, live entertainment and more. Features 3 restaurants, the Black Rabbit or the more casual Power Station Pub & Loading Dock Grill (outdoor Summer fun).
- Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River. In 1920, Simon Benson had just helped complete what many of the era claimed to be the world's most beautiful road, the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. Benson's dream was to create an opulent hotel for travelers at the end of this road. He hired some of the same Italian stone masons that had built the highway to embellish his hotel. The hotel had barely opened before it had an international reputation. Presidents Roosevelt and Coolidge, Shirley Temple, actresses Myrna Loy, Jane Powell, and rumor has it, Rudolph Valentino are some of the notables to have graced the hotel. Their guests are invited to start the day with a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner in their dining room, Simon's Cliff House.
- View Point Inn in Corbett (CLOSED). This Inn has celebrated Presidents, Hollywood Motion Picture Stars and European Royalty and is on the National Register of Historic Places. "The Viewpoint Inn might possibly be the most charming, romantic and distinctive place on earth!" The historic 1924 boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant boasts rustic upscale charm and is nestled high on a bluff overlooking the majestic Columbia River with breathtaking sunsets. A great way to compliment your tour. 40301 East Larch Mountain Road Corbett, OR 503-695-5811
- Picnic Lunches:
- Order a gourmet picnic lunch from My Chauffeur. $$ (10-20 pp)
- Visit the town of Hood River, located between 2 snow-capped volcanoes: (site re-directs)
- Historic Bonneville Lock & Dam & Fish Hatchery. (A 'stones throw' from Multnomah Falls, this addition is convenient to add or substitute for other stops.) Built between 1933-1937, it is the oldest federal dam on the Columbia. See salmon & sturgeon up close swimming up the ladders & in the viewing windows and view the inner workings of this magnificent dam touring the powerhouse. The fish hatchery has pools of sturgeon and trout. You can view young salmon in the rearing ponds and in the fall processing the adults...More. Additional tour costs may apply unless prior approved; 5-6 hour tour recommended.
- Bonneville Dam Washington Shore Facility offers something extra special. You can walk on top of an operating generator and look inside at the spinning shaft. Across the road is the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail which can take you to Table Mountain. Also here is the Historic Fort Cascades Trail which is an easy 1.5 mile walk that highlights many historical events that took place in the area.
- TRAVEL THE WEST END of the Historic Highway - Includes historic Troutdale, Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplings $$$ (Eat dinner at "One of the Last Original Roadhouses"), the Sandy Gorge, Stark Street Bridge, historic Springdale, Corbett, the historic Edgefield Manor & more...
- Hood River Brewery Tour
- RIDE THE STERNWHEELER
- Cascade Locks Marine Park...
- Cascade Locks Marine Park is along the Columbia River at the location of the remains of the Cascade Locks, on the east side of the town. The park has picnic areas, a playground built like a sternwheeler, the Cascade Locks Historical Museum (housed in one of the 3 original locks tender's houses), and the Oregon Pony, the first steam engine in the Pacific Northwest. In September 2006 the park featured two life-size cutouts of "Seaman", Captain Lewis's Newfoundland dog who made the entire journey with Lewis and Clark, and in 2011 two bronzes were dedicated, one of Sacagawea and Pomp, and the other of Captain Lewis's dog Seaman. There is also a walking bridge crossing the remains of the Locks, connecting the Marine Park with a 3-acre "Thunder Island". Cascade Locks Marine Park (and the Locks) was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. There's also a Bigfoot statue.
- The Oregon Pony ... The Oregon Pony was the first steam engine in the Pacific Northwest and operated on the tramway built on the Oregon side of the Columbia River to portage around the Cascade Rapids.
HIKE THE GORGE! (Inquire about details for individual hikes)
Standard hikes (all considered easy) are already included in your 6 hour tour: (Year 'round) Note: a 4 or 5 hour tour will get to about 1/2 or 3/4 of the standard hikes below. Depending on your itinerary, you may or may not get to all the standard hikes.
- Latourelle Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls Hike and/or Overlook Hike
- Sheppard's Dell Falls
- Wahkeena Falls (Hike to the Viewing Bridge)
- Multnomah Falls (Hike to the Viewing Bridge)
Additional/optional or substitution hikes (below; Season: April through October) are on special request, are DIY, and may be at additional cost. If you want to do an additional hike, please notify us before your tour. A Trailhead Release Agreement form is required from each additional hike (see below *).
- The secret falls hike (recommended) - Add this hike to a standard 4-hour tour for a total of 6 hours. (Easy; 2 mile hike RT along the creek trail to the multi-tiered secret falls) - "If we had to pick a spot that embodies almost everything that defines the Columbia R Gorge, this creeks lower canyon is it, culminating with the secret falls, which almost no one knows about. This canyon is as fine a temple as nature can create... This is our most treasured place in the Gorge."* **
- To the top of Multnomah Falls (moderate hike; to the top; 2.5 mile hike RT)*
- Ponytail Falls and/or Triple Falls and Oneonta Falls* (Easy/moderate; .8 mile 30 min RT or 2 mile loop hike or 4.5 mile hike) - Hike Behind The Falls! Like nearby Oneonta Falls and many of the falls in the Gorge, Ponytail Falls displays the results of eons of geology. First a basalt lava flow buried a softer layer of rock and soil. Then water and winter ice removed the softer material below, creating a cavern of sorts. Horsetail Falls Trail runs behind the falls in the hollowed out area.
- Latourell Falls Loop Trail (moderate hike; to the base of the upper falls; 2.4 mile hike RT)*
- Lower Oneonta Falls (Difficult: 2000 ft. RT; involves hiking through the stream.)*
- Elowah Falls (Formerly 'The Falls of McCord Creek'. Easy/Moderate; 1.4 - 2 miles RT; Near Horsetail Falls)
- Eagle Creek hike/Punchbowl Falls* (4 mile RT, 2-3 hour hike; abbreviated stops or tour time extension required) - This easy/moderate four-miler is a thrilling, classic Gorge hike. The Punchbowl Falls cascade is a Columbia Gorge favorite, and for good reason. The well-engineered trail parallels the crystalline Eagle Creek for a ways and winds through a lovely forest of evergreens & a cool, damp canyon full of waterfalls. In Autumn, vine maples burst with color among the underbrush, and if you’re lucky, you might even see spawning salmon in the creek. Good place for picnicking. Punch Bowl Falls has long been a favorite subject for photography, including pioneering Oregon photographers Ray Atkeson and Al Monner, who visited the falls as early as the 1930s and 40s. Today, you can find Punch Bowl falls in dozens of mass-produced calendars, books and art prints, yet it’s always a thrill to capture your own image of the famous falls.
- Beacon Rock - Moderate hike to the top of the 2nd largest rock in the world! Beacon Rock is an ancient plug of an extinct volcano. Hike up it for breathtaking views of the Gorge. Have a picnic.
- Wahkeena & Fairy Falls (moderate hike; 2 mile hike RT)*
- Larch Mountain Trail & Overlook/ Sherrard Viewpoint - Easy hike; .5 mile hike RT to breathtaking views of the Cascades and the Columbia Gorge at over 4000' above sea level. See 5 volcanoes; Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson k maybe even Three Sisters, Broken Top & Mt. Washington. The viewing area is cut out of solid rock which protrudes out from the side of the mountain with sheer rock walls on 3 sides. Bring binoculars.*
- Historic Columbia River Highway State Highway Trail - Hike sections of the road closed to vehicle traffic. Historic Road to Trail Video
* This hike is easy or easy/moderate. Check out all the easy Gorge hikes here.
Wintertime or extended hike clothing
Trail boots, rain hat or umbrella
OPTIONS
Wool or polypropylene socks with liner sock
Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt
Pants (No Jeans!) appropriate for the day
Gore-Tex (or other wind/water-resistant material) Parka and Pants
Gloves/Mittens with windproof shells
Warm hat
VISIT A MUSEUM:
- Troutdale Historic Society:
- Barn Exhibit Hall, home to the King of Roads show, a combination of photos and memorabilia documenting the highway's history. Knowing the story adds appeal to the drive. Visionaries Sam Hill & Samuel Lancaster had studied highways along the Rhine River in Europe, then brought the same style and techniques (stone arch guardrails, elegant bridges, and wide, sweeping turns to tame the steep climbs) to the road along the Gorge. "It's hard to imagine a road being built with such artistry today.", local historian Len Otto says.
- 1907 Rail Depot
- 1900 Harlow House
- The Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center - Near Cascade Locks. Come explore the cultural and natural history of the Columbia River Gorge. Experience 15,000 Years of History.
Exhibits Include:- Lewis & Clark Expedition
- Columbia River Indian Artifact Collection
- World's Largest Rosary Collection
- Two Theaters
- SP&S Locomotive
- 1917 Curtiss Bi-Plane
- Corliss Steam Engine
- McCord Fishwheel Replica
- And Much More...
- Cascade Locks Historic Museum - Tour the historic museum and see the site of the old locks that allowed vessels to bypass the Cascade Rapids. The Sternwheeler Cruise on the Columbia River docks here where you can enjoy 1-5 hour cruises.
In the Gorge:
- Bonneville Hot Springs (The bath and wrap at $40 ($30 midweek) is the real "must" at Bonneville.
- Carson Hot Springs (about 1 hour from Portland) - Built in the early 1900’s, Carson Hot Springs Resort features an authentic bathhouse, cozy accommodations, and a relaxing atmosphere. Find yourself immersed in the natural beauty of Washington State as you reawaken your senses and find comfort in the traditional practice of “taking the waters.”
- Bagby Hotsprings (about 2 hours from Portland) - Portland Monthly
- Breitenbush Hotsprings (about 2 hours from Portland) - Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center is tucked away in a picturesque forest in Detroit, and puts the focus on mental and physical wellness. Nosh on vegetarian meals, bunk in a cabin, and meet up for community events at the nearby “sanctuary,” as the center calls it. Strip to your skivvies and steep in the springs, or layer up and hike through the woods. There are also plenty of places to meditate, practice yoga, and even walk a labyrinth. Cabins start at $68 per person per night, which includes meals. 503-854-3320
This all is enhanced by a stay at the:
- Columbia River Gorge Hotel - How's this for a room with a view? This historic hotel is perched above the Wah-Gwin-Gwin Falls, which already nests high above the Columbia River Gorge.
- Hood River Hotel
- Columbia Cliff Villas
- Best Western Hood River Inn
- Skamania Lodge
- Carson Hot Springs - (about 1 hour from Portland) - Built in the early 1900’s, Carson Hot Springs Resort features an authentic bathhouse, cozy accommodations, and a relaxing atmosphere. Find yourself immersed in the natural beauty of Washington State as you reawaken your senses and find comfort in the traditional practice of “taking the waters.”
- Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins
- Bonneville Hot Springs
- Edgefield Manor
- B&Bs and other lodging possibilities.
- Columbia River Gorge Waterfall & Wine Tour
- Panorama Point - Hood River - Easy 15 minute stop to view the Hood River Valley
- Hood River Valley Fruit Loop (site re-direct) - VIDEO - Take this 35-mile scenic drive through the valley's orchards, fruit stands, forests, farmlands, and friendly communities. Fruit stand & U-Pick Apples, pears, cherries, peaches*, berries, nectarines, plums, apricots, honey, nuts and more. Samples! Sample delicious fruits and take your favorites home, visit a winery, experience fields of fragrant lavender, meet adorable alpacas, savor delicious baked goods, and create memories by participating in family activities hosted at Fruit Loop locations throughout the year.
- Hood River Fruit Blossom Fest (April annual event) (site re-direct) - Nothing compares to spring in the Hood River Valley, where the abundance of fruit trees produce spectacular blossoms of pink, white, and peach. The Hood River Blossom Fest, now over 50 years old, celebrates the arrival of spring with events and attractions throughout the Gorge over these three special weeks in April. A great way to see the blossoms is to take the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop.
- Lavender
- Wind Surfing, Kite boarding, Paddle boarding
- Rafting, Kayaking
- Zip Line
- Include a Hood River County Event (site re-direct)
- Glass Blowing Package with Glassometry Studios in Hood River - "Blow Your Own Glass"
- We also offer Multi-tour/Multi-day itineraries.
Full day tour options - 7-12 hours: (lengthen your tour to 7, 8 or 9 hours and include the below options. Advance notice is required for all tour options. Consult with our staff for itinerary and pricing)*.
EAT:
Historic Restaurant lunch or dinner stop along the route at the historic:
HIKE THE GORGE! (Inquire about hike details)
Standard hikes (all considered easy) are already included in your tour: Note: Depending on your itinerary, you may or may not get to all the standard hikes.
Additional/optional or substitution hikes (below) are on special request, are DIY, and may be at additional cost. If you want to do an additional hike, please notify us before your tour. Additional optional hikes are above in the 5-6 hour tour section. A Trailhead Release Agreement form is required from each additional hike (see below *).
* This hike is easy or easy/moderate. Check out al the easy Gorge hikes here.
**Wahclella Falls
Wintertime or extended hike clothing
Trail boots, rain hat or umbrella
OPTIONS
Wool or polypropylene socks with liner sock
Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt
Pants (No Jeans!) appropriate for the day
Gore-Tex (or other wind/water-resistant material) Parka and Pants
Gloves/Mittens with windproof shells
Warm hat
In the Gorge: Down South:
This all is enhanced by a stay at the:
SummerWinter
KayakingLakesSnowmobiling
Paddle BoardingMountain BikingSleigh Rides
CanoeingRock ClimbingSnowshoeing
Whitewater RaftingFishingX-Country Skiing
Helicopter Tours
OTHER:
Wind Surfing, Kite boarding, Paddle boarding Rafting, Kayaking Zip Line
* Latourell & Multnomah Falls (viewing bridges) hikes are typically automatically included in your tour itinerary. Wahkeena (viewing bridge) & Bridal Veil Falls hikes are often included in the itinerary, and are recommended. These are short hikes (15-30 minutes RT max.). All other hikes ('extended hikes') are an option and must be pre-arranged before your tour; otherwise they are not an option. NOTE: All hikes are self-guided hikes and are optional; including the standard hikes, where your driver/guide will not be accompanying your group. To add the Bonneville Dam, please notify us or your tour guide ahead of time; the 5-6 hour tour option may apply. You do not have to participate in any hike as views of all of the standard falls (except Bridal Veil) are all had without hiking.
A Trailhead Release Agreement form is required from your group (see below *) to hike on any optional/extended hike. This does not apply with the standard (viewing bridge) hikes. Be prepared for inclement weather (rain, snow, cold, ice, wind etc.) during winter time tours. Be prepared for rainy weather during summer time tours, and dress appropriately.
* ALL HIKES ARE SOLO 'SELF-SERVICE' HIKES; your driver and/or tour guide WILL NOT be accompanying your group on your hike due to Forest Service regulations. While we consider our extended hikes to be completely safe; in wilderness areas, possible wilderness dangers are always present, including Falling—Please stay on the maintained trail. A Trailhead Release Agreement form exonerating My Chauffeur of any responsibility on the trails will be required for your tour. Hikes are not recommended for children or pets. Trails are typically not near restrooms or running water, so you should plan on carrying your own water supply. Cliff sections (if applicable) are exposed, so anyone subject to vertigo should proceed carefully, and turn back if the first set of cliffs are uncomfortable... If you have any apprehensions about nature hiking and/or nature areas, you should not do the extended hikes. The trail surfaces are often rocky and uneven, and anything less than a good pair of hiking shoes or boots is not adequate. Also keep in mind that the Columbia Gorge is home to poison oak, and it grows along some sections of the some trails. If you're susceptible to it, keep an eye out in sunny, open cliff-tops and open oak forests. Long pants are a good idea is you're particularly sensitive.
We are here to help plan your Gorge tour, answer questions and/or make suggestions. Give us a call at 503-969-4370 (toll-free 1-877-692-4283) or EMAIL US. If you have already made a reservation, contact your personal concierge.
** The options of Bonneville Dam and Upper Horsetail Falls require more time than our standard stops. Please notify your guide ahead of time to be able to accommodate this in your schedule (we will drop out other stops) unless you want to extend your tour to the 5-6 hour option.
*** Mt. Hood tour option is between 8-10 hours long.
LINKS:
Historic Restaurant lunch or dinner stop along the route at the historic:
- Order lunch at the Multnomah Falls Lodge:
- Snack Bar offering a variety of hot/cold drinks and food (turkey wraps, vege wraps, hot dogs, chips, ice cream, fudge, espresso etc. to go. $ (5-12 pp).
- Multnomah Falls Lodge restaurant. $$$ (10-30 pp) - Additional tour costs apply unless prior approved (We recommend the 5-6 hour tour option).
- Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplings $$$ (Eat dinner at "One of the Last Original Roadhouses") - Roadhouse from the 1920s era on the historic highway between Troutdale and Corbett. This alternate route of the Old Highway includes historic Troutdale, Springdale and Corbett. 1325 East Historic Columbia River Highway Troutdale, OR 503-666-5337 (Dinner Only)
- Shirley's Tippy Canoe Bar & Grill $$$ - Historic 1940s landmark restaurant serves breakfast. lunch & dinner daily. Everything is made from scratch from the freshest ingredients. Outdoor dining on the beautiful banks of the Sandy River. This is a riverside restaurant that was once featured on the Food Network's Diners. Drive-Ins and Dives for its large and messy Sloppy Joe's. 28242 E Historic Columbia River Hwy Troutdale, OR.
- Pompello Ristoriante Italiano $$ - 177 E Historic Columbia R Highway, Troutdale
- Edgefield Manor $$ in Troutdale. (Milepost 0 on the Old Highway. Includes the section of the Historic Columbia River Highway from Edgefield through historic Troutdale and Corbett). Historic Edgefield, built in 1911 as the county poor farm, is a destination resort in the Pacific Northwest that blends Oregon's natural beauty with McMenamins' signature whimsy: original buildings carefully restored with cozy interiors, gardens grown using organic methods, great food and drink, live entertainment and more. Features 3 restaurants, the Black Rabbit or the more casual Power Station Pub & Loading Dock Grill (outdoor Summer fun).
- Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River. In 1920, Simon Benson had just helped complete what many of the era claimed to be the world's most beautiful road, the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. Benson's dream was to create an opulent hotel for travelers at the end of this road. He hired some of the same Italian stone masons that had built the highway to embellish his hotel. The hotel had barely opened before it had an international reputation. Presidents Roosevelt and Coolidge, Shirley Temple, actresses Myrna Loy, Jane Powell, and rumor has it, Rudolph Valentino are some of the notables to have graced the hotel. Their guests are invited to start the day with a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner in their dining room, Simon's Cliff House.
- View Point Inn in Corbett (CLOSED). This Inn has celebrated Presidents, Hollywood Motion Picture Stars and European Royalty and is on the National Register of Historic Places. "The Viewpoint Inn might possibly be the most charming, romantic and distinctive place on earth!" The historic 1924 boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant boasts rustic upscale charm and is nestled high on a bluff overlooking the majestic Columbia River with breathtaking sunsets. A great way to compliment your tour. 40301 East Larch Mountain Road Corbett, OR 503-695-5811
- Picnic Lunches:
- Order a gourmet picnic lunch from My Chauffeur. $$ (10-20 pp)
- Visit the town of Hood River, located between 2 snow-capped volcanoes: (site re-directs)
- Full Sail Brewery
- Double Mountain Brewery (wood-fired pizza)
- Celilo
- Sixth Street Bistro
- Solstice Wood Fire Cafe and Bar
- Nora's Table or another Hood River restaurant.
- The Cascade Dining Room at Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood for an extra special event (8-10 hours).
- Historic Bonneville Lock & Dam & Fish Hatchery. (A 'stones throw' from Multnomah Falls, this addition is convenient to add or substitute for other stops.) Built between 1933-1937, it is the oldest federal dam on the Columbia. See salmon & sturgeon up close swimming up the ladders & in the viewing windows and view the inner workings of this magnificent dam touring the powerhouse. The fish hatchery has pools of sturgeon and trout. You can view young salmon in the rearing ponds and in the fall processing the adults...More. Additional tour costs may apply unless prior approved; 5-6 hour tour recommended.
- Bonneville Dam Washington Shore Facility offers something extra special. You can walk on top of an operating generator and look inside at the spinning shaft. Across the road is the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail which can take you to Table Mountain. Also here is the Historic Fort Cascades Trail which is an easy 1.5 mile walk that highlights many historical events that took place in the area.
- TRAVEL THE WEST END of the Historic Highway - Includes historic Troutdale, Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplings $$$ (Eat dinner at "One of the Last Original Roadhouses"), the Sandy Gorge, Stark Street Bridge, historic Springdale, Corbett, the historic Edgefield Manor & more...
- Take A Ride: (4.5 HR EXCURSION)
- RIDE THE RAILROAD: Mt. Hood Railroad
- Hood River Brewery Tour
- RIDE THE STERNWHEELER
- Cascade Locks Marine Park...
- Cascade Locks Marine Park is along the Columbia River at the location of the remains of the Cascade Locks, on the east side of the town. The park has picnic areas, a playground built like a sternwheeler, the Cascade Locks Historical Museum (housed in one of the 3 original locks tender's houses), and the Oregon Pony, the first steam engine in the Pacific Northwest. In September 2006 the park featured two life-size cutouts of "Seaman", Captain Lewis's Newfoundland dog who made the entire journey with Lewis and Clark, and in 2011 two bronzes were dedicated, one of Sacagawea and Pomp, and the other of Captain Lewis's dog Seaman. There is also a walking bridge crossing the remains of the Locks, connecting the Marine Park with a 3-acre "Thunder Island". Cascade Locks Marine Park (and the Locks) was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. There's also a Bigfoot statue.
- The Oregon Pony ... The Oregon Pony was the first steam engine in the Pacific Northwest and operated on the tramway built on the Oregon side of the Columbia River to portage around the Cascade Rapids.
HIKE THE GORGE! (Inquire about hike details)
Standard hikes (all considered easy) are already included in your tour: Note: Depending on your itinerary, you may or may not get to all the standard hikes.
- Latourelle Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls Hike and/or Overlook Hike
- Sheppard's Dell Falls
- Wahkeena Falls (Hike to the Viewing Bridge)
- Multnomah Falls (Hike to the Viewing Bridge)
Additional/optional or substitution hikes (below) are on special request, are DIY, and may be at additional cost. If you want to do an additional hike, please notify us before your tour. Additional optional hikes are above in the 5-6 hour tour section. A Trailhead Release Agreement form is required from each additional hike (see below *).
- The secret falls hike (recommended) - Add this hike to a standard 4-hour tour for a total of 6 hours. (Easy; 2 mile hike RT along the creek trail to the multi-tiered secret falls) - "If we had to pick a spot that embodies almost everything that defines the Columbia R Gorge, this creeks lower canyon is it, culminating with the secret falls, which almost no one knows about. This canyon is as fine a temple as nature can create... This is our most treasured place in the Gorge."* **
- Eagle Creek hike/Punchbowl Falls* (4 mile hike RT) - This easy/moderate four-miler is a thrilling, classic Gorge hike. The Punchbowl Falls cascade is a Columbia Gorge favorite, and for good reason. The well-engineered trail parallels the crystalline Eagle Creek for a ways and winds through a lovely forest of evergreens & a cool, damp canyon full of waterfalls. In Autumn, vine maples burst with color among the underbrush, and if you’re lucky, you might even see spawning salmon in the creek. Good place for picnicking.
- Multnomah Falls-Wahkeena Falls Loop Hike (5 mile hike RT) - A waterfall lover's dream hike!
- Horsetail Falls to Upper Falls (Pony Tail Falls), Oneonta Falls & Triple Falls (4.5 mile hike RT)
- Umbrella Falls (4.6 miles roundtrip)
The incredible wildflowers that color this hike on Mount Hood (at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort) in the spring are long gone by the Autumn, but there’s often a new dusting of bright white snow on the peak’s upper reaches that adds a stunning scene. The falls, too, are something to see, and if you loop it right, you can also take in a second set, Sahale Falls, on your way back. - Cape Horn Viewpoint Hike has beautiful views of the Gorge and a perfect place to take pictures and picnic. (7.7 mile Loop)
- Dog Mountain Trail near White Salmon is a great hike that will take you most of the day. View the wind surfers at Hood River.
- Historic Columbia River Highway State Highway Trail - Hike sections of the road closed to vehicle traffic. Historic Road to Trail Video
* This hike is easy or easy/moderate. Check out al the easy Gorge hikes here.
**Wahclella Falls
Wintertime or extended hike clothing
Trail boots, rain hat or umbrella
OPTIONS
Wool or polypropylene socks with liner sock
Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt
Pants (No Jeans!) appropriate for the day
Gore-Tex (or other wind/water-resistant material) Parka and Pants
Gloves/Mittens with windproof shells
Warm hat
- TRAVEL THE EAST END of the Historic Highway - The old historic highway begins again at Mosier (exit 69) and winds gracefully through the landscape all the way to The Dalles.
- Tom McCall Nature Preserve is well known for its beautiful spring wild flowers. This preserve is maintained by the Nature Conservancy. Rowena Crest offers a magnificent view of the eastern gorge.
- Find out what the early days of the gorge were like at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center (site re-direct).
- The Dalles Lock & Dam offers tours by train during the summer.
- Nearby see American petroglyphs at Horsethief Lake State Park. Have a picnic.
- Maryhill Museum of Art & Stonehenge (site re-directions) has a world-class collection of works by Auguste Rodin, a large collection of American Indian work and other permanent exhibitions. Also nearby is the American Stonehenge. An intact sister of England's ancient Stonehenge ruins, it's a full-scale replica on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. It's creator, an eccentric rail and utilities baron named Sam Hill, erroneously thought the original was a location of human sacrifice and so built this as a memorial to WWI veterans. Open March 15-Nov. 15.
- Find out what the early days of the gorge were like at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center (site re-direct).
- The Goldendale Observatory (site re-direct) has one of the country's largest public telescopes. During the day you can see great views of the surrounding countryside and at night look at the stars. The observatory is open to anyone who wants to view the universe.
- Second Saturdays at WAAAM in Hood River (site re-direct; Watch our antique planes take off and land, and hitch a ride in one of our antique cars. Every monthly second Saturday is different ... so be sure to come often! Museum is open daily.)
In the Gorge: Down South:
- Bonneville Hot Springs (The bath and wrap at $40 ($30 midweek) is the real "must" at Bonneville.
- Carson Hot Springs - (about 1 hour from Portland) - Built in the early 1900’s, Carson Hot Springs Resort features an authentic bathhouse, cozy accommodations, and a relaxing atmosphere. Find yourself immersed in the natural beauty of Washington State as you reawaken your senses and find comfort in the traditional practice of “taking the waters.”
- Bagby Hotsprings (about 2 hours from Portland) - Portland Monthly
- Breitenbush Hotsprings (about 2 hours from Portland) - Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center is tucked away in a picturesque forest in Detroit, and puts the focus on mental and physical wellness. Nosh on vegetarian meals, bunk in a cabin, and meet up for community events at the nearby “sanctuary,” as the center calls it. Strip to your skivvies and steep in the springs, or layer up and hike through the woods. There are also plenty of places to meditate, practice yoga, and even walk a labyrinth. Cabins start at $68 per person per night, which includes meals. 503-854-3320
This all is enhanced by a stay at the:
- Columbia River Gorge Hotel - How's this for a room with a view? This historic hotel is perched above the Wah-Gwin-Gwin Falls, which already nests high above the Columbia River Gorge.
- Hood River Hotel
- Columbia Cliff Villas
- Best Western Hood River Inn
- Skamania Lodge
- Carson Hot Springs - (about 1 hour from Portland) - Built in the early 1900’s, Carson Hot Springs Resort features an authentic bathhouse, cozy accommodations, and a relaxing atmosphere. Find yourself immersed in the natural beauty of Washington State as you reawaken your senses and find comfort in the traditional practice of “taking the waters.”
- Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins
- Bonneville Hot Springs
- Edgefield Manor
- B&Bs and other lodging possibilities.
- Columbia River Gorge Waterfall & Wine Tour
- Panorama Point - Hood River -
- Include a Hood River County Event
- Portland City Tour
- Mt. Hood Loop Tour to Timberline Lodge (8-10 hours)
- Mt. Hood Loop Brewery Tour - The Mt. Hood Beer Trail
- Mt. Hood Meadows Scenic Chair Lift
- Skiing
- Mt. Hood Meadows
- Cooper Spur (skiing & tubing)
- Hood River Valley Fruit Loop (site re-direct) - VIDEO - Take this 35-mile scenic drive through the valley's orchards, fruit stands, forests, farmlands, and friendly communities. Fruit stand & U-Pick Apples, pears, cherries, peaches*, berries, nectarines, plums, apricots, honey, nuts and more. Samples! Sample delicious fruits and take your favorites home, visit a winery, experience fields of fragrant lavender, meet adorable alpacas, savor delicious baked goods, and create memories by participating in family activities hosted at Fruit Loop locations throughout the year.
- Lavender
- Glass Blowing Package with Glassometry Studios in Hood River - "Blow Your Own Glass"
SummerWinter
KayakingLakesSnowmobiling
Paddle BoardingMountain BikingSleigh Rides
CanoeingRock ClimbingSnowshoeing
Whitewater RaftingFishingX-Country Skiing
Helicopter Tours
OTHER:
Wind Surfing, Kite boarding, Paddle boarding Rafting, Kayaking Zip Line
- Golf Courses - (top-notch courses with views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams)
- Bonneville Hot Springs
- Carson Hot Springs - (about 1 hour from Portland) - Built in the early 1900’s, Carson Hot Springs Resort features an authentic bathhouse, cozy accommodations, and a relaxing atmosphere. Find yourself immersed in the natural beauty of Washington State as you reawaken your senses and find comfort in the traditional practice of “taking the waters.”
- Lilianas Spa
- Lost Lake Resort, Hood River Valley (site re-direct) - VIDEO - Canoeing, paddle boating, fishing, resting, camping, lodging
- Hood River Fruit Blossom Fest (April annual event) (site re-direct) - Nothing compares to spring in the Hood River Valley, where the abundance of fruit trees produce spectacular blossoms of pink, white, and peach. The Hood River Blossom Fest, now over 50 years old, celebrates the arrival of spring with events and attractions throughout the Gorge over these three special weeks in April. A great way to see the blossoms is to take the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop.
- We also offer multi-day itineraries.
* Latourell & Multnomah Falls (viewing bridges) hikes are typically automatically included in your tour itinerary. Wahkeena (viewing bridge) & Bridal Veil Falls hikes are often included in the itinerary, and are recommended. These are short hikes (15-30 minutes RT max.). All other hikes ('extended hikes') are an option and must be pre-arranged before your tour; otherwise they are not an option. NOTE: All hikes are self-guided hikes and are optional; including the standard hikes, where your driver/guide will not be accompanying your group. To add the Bonneville Dam, please notify us or your tour guide ahead of time; the 5-6 hour tour option may apply. You do not have to participate in any hike as views of all of the standard falls (except Bridal Veil) are all had without hiking.
A Trailhead Release Agreement form is required from your group (see below *) to hike on any optional/extended hike. This does not apply with the standard (viewing bridge) hikes. Be prepared for inclement weather (rain, snow, cold, ice, wind etc.) during winter time tours. Be prepared for rainy weather during summer time tours, and dress appropriately.
* ALL HIKES ARE SOLO 'SELF-SERVICE' HIKES; your driver and/or tour guide WILL NOT be accompanying your group on your hike due to Forest Service regulations. While we consider our extended hikes to be completely safe; in wilderness areas, possible wilderness dangers are always present, including Falling—Please stay on the maintained trail. A Trailhead Release Agreement form exonerating My Chauffeur of any responsibility on the trails will be required for your tour. Hikes are not recommended for children or pets. Trails are typically not near restrooms or running water, so you should plan on carrying your own water supply. Cliff sections (if applicable) are exposed, so anyone subject to vertigo should proceed carefully, and turn back if the first set of cliffs are uncomfortable... If you have any apprehensions about nature hiking and/or nature areas, you should not do the extended hikes. The trail surfaces are often rocky and uneven, and anything less than a good pair of hiking shoes or boots is not adequate. Also keep in mind that the Columbia Gorge is home to poison oak, and it grows along some sections of the some trails. If you're susceptible to it, keep an eye out in sunny, open cliff-tops and open oak forests. Long pants are a good idea is you're particularly sensitive.
We are here to help plan your Gorge tour, answer questions and/or make suggestions. Give us a call at 503-969-4370 (toll-free 1-877-692-4283) or EMAIL US. If you have already made a reservation, contact your personal concierge.
** The options of Bonneville Dam and Upper Horsetail Falls require more time than our standard stops. Please notify your guide ahead of time to be able to accommodate this in your schedule (we will drop out other stops) unless you want to extend your tour to the 5-6 hour option.
*** Mt. Hood tour option is between 8-10 hours long.
LINKS: