Cascade Locks
Tours

Our most recommended things to do in Cascade Locks

From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour

From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour

Departing downtown Portland, we’ll head east along the Columbia River towards the quaint town of Troutdale, known as the Gateway to the Gorge. We will join the beautiful Historic Columbia River Highway, the first planned scenic roadway in the United States, and wind our way along the Sandy River to our first stop for the day: Crown Point Vista House. This famous overlook sits 733 feet above the Columbia River, atop the remains of a lava flow that swept through the Gorge around 14 to 17 million years ago! There, we will find amazing 180-degree views of the Columbia River Gorge and have time to explore the Vista House. This intricately designed observatory and museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From there, we will again join the historic highway as we drive deeper into the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Our first waterfall for the day will be the dramatic Latourell Falls, which plunges 249 feet over a massive wall of columnar basalt. Depending on the season, a short ¼-mile, well-maintained trail hike will be led to get a closer view of the falls. Continuing on our journey through the gorge, we’ll get a sneak peek of the famed Multnomah Falls on our way to our next stop—an overlooked gem directly off of the historic highway called Horsetail Falls. Once at the base of these falls, it won’t be difficult to see how it received its name. Feel the mist on your face as the water plummets down into the deep pool below. Worry not! The grand Multnomah Falls will be the final stop in our journey. Plummeting 620 feet in two major steps, Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in Oregon and second highest continuously flowing waterfall in the nation! There, we will explore the Multnomah Falls Historic Lodge (a Cascadian style stone and timber lodge built in 1925) as well as the beautiful Multnomah Falls itself. During the gorge fire of 2017, the wildland fire crew fought tirelessly and ultimately saved this historic landmark. The easily accessible viewing platform offers a full view of the Benson Bridge and cascading falls beyond it. Our journey will return us to Portland via the Columbia River scenic route (approximately 45 mins). Depending on changing visitation patterns in the Columbia River Gorge, this tour may run in the reverse order than what is listed above.

Multnomah Falls: Waterfall Corridor Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley

Multnomah Falls: Waterfall Corridor Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley

Create your own adventure along the historic Colombia River Highway, including iconic Multnomah Falls. Hop off at any of the stops to explore trails and waterfalls. Trolleys arrive at each stop every hour, so you have plenty of time for a short stop with pictures or a longer hiking excursion. Entry tickets now required by the National Forest Service are included in your reservation. Parking is free at our nearby Corbett parking lot so that you can avoid all the parking waiting and traffic. If you just want to ride the Trolley and listen to the guided narration, a round trip lasts about an hour and forty-five minutes. As you journey between the locations, enjoy the fantastic views from the open-air trolley that features unobstructed perspectives, perfect for snapping photos and taking in panoramic landscape views. A detailed hiking/stop guide is available when you board the Trolley, and suggested itineraries are available on our website. Stops are made at the following locations: Corbett • Crown Point • Latourell Falls • Bridal Veil Falls • Angels Rest • Wahkeena Falls • Multnomah Falls • Triple Falls • Horsetail Falls • Ainsworth

Portland: Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Morning Tour

Portland: Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Morning Tour

Millions of years ago, during the formation of the Cascade Mountain Range, lava and other pyroclastic matter flowed west from what would be the Cascades all the way to the Pacific Ocean, creating a thick shell of basalt rock that covered Western Oregon. Then, during the Pleistocene Ice Age, roughly 15,000 years ago, water from the Lake Missoula Flood carved out the Columbia River Gorge as hundreds of cubic miles of water, ice, rock and mud rushed from present-day Montana to the Pacific Ocean. Explore the beauty of the canyon walls and rock formations, breathtaking waterfalls and awe-inspiring visas that make the Columbia River National Scenic Area one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. Our enthusiastic guides will introduce you to the most amazing places in the Gorge while providing a comprehensive narrative of this spectacular landscape and its transformative history. Your adventure will take place along the Historic Columbia River National Scenic Byway, where some of the locations we may stop include, Portland Women’s Forum, Crown Point Vista House, Latourell Falls, Multnomah Falls, and Shepperd’s Dell. Perched atop one of the most panoramic overlooks in the Columbia River Gorge, Vista House provides an unrivaled, majestic view. Often referred to as “The Crown Jewel of the Columbia River Gorge,” Vista House was built between 1916 and 1918 as a memorial to Oregon pioneers, a scenic viewpoint, and a comfort station for those traveling on the newly constructed Historic Columbia River Highway. Built with expertly carved sandstone and stunning marble, then finished with bronze lining and amber-green opalescent art glass windows, Vista House and the view it offers are sure to amaze and inspire you. Latourell Falls plunges 249 feet (76 m) over a massive wall of basalt and then rushes through the forest into the Columbia River. The falling water of Latourell is framed by some of the most perfect columnar basalt formations in the Pacific Northwest that are adorned with a large florescent patch of yellow lichen and shrouded in brilliant green flora. We’ll venture down to the punch-bowl pool below the falls, where you’ll hear the tremendous rush of water and feel the cool mist that it creates. You’ll easily realize why this special place is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Oregon. Multnomah Falls is fed by underground streams that originate miles above on Larch Mountain. This ancient 620 foot (189 m) waterfall is divided into two sections; the upper falls plummets an impressive 542 feet into a pool and again drops 69 feet to form a creek that runs into the Columbia River. Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States and the highest in Oregon, and is Oregon’s number one natural attraction, drawing over 2.5 million visitors a year from around the world. At the base of the waterfall sits the Historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, a full-service day lodge complete with a restaurant, gift shop, snack and espresso bar.

Portland: Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Afternoon Tour

Portland: Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Afternoon Tour

Explore the beauty of these unique canyon walls and rock formations, encountering breathtaking waterfalls and awe-inspiring visas that make the Columbia River National Scenic Area one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. Your enthusiastic guides will introduce you to the most amazing places in the gorge, while providing a comprehensive narrative of this spectacular landscape and its transformative history. Your adventure will take place along the Historic Columbia River National Scenic Highway, where some of the locations you may stop include the Portland Women’s Forum, the Crown Point Vista House, Latourell Falls, Multnomah Falls, and Shepperd’s Dell.

From Portland: 7 Wonders of the Gorge Jetboat Cruise

From Portland: 7 Wonders of the Gorge Jetboat Cruise

Discover the lower Columbia River Gorge from the water on a roundtrip jetboat cruise from Portland. Travel at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour as you journey along the Willamette River and the mighty Columbia River toward Multnomah Falls. Marvel at views of the city and surrounding countryside as you make your way to Multnomah Falls. Board your explorer cruise from a private dock in Portland and set out on your outdoor adventure. Enjoy sights like Cape Horn, Crown Point, Rooster Rock, Mount Hood, and much more, with a live guide narrating your journey. Your adventure cruise comes to an end back where it began, at the dock on the Willamette River. Passenger Advisory: Explorer cruises are an adventure-style experience traveling at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. The Explorer Jetboat is not wheelchair/walker accessible. Must be steady on feet and take steps. Please note that river conditions vary and may result in frequent, sustained turbulent motion along with varied weather. For safety and comfort, guests should be in good health and without conditions that could be aggravated by motion. Please consult your doctor prior to booking a cruise on the Explorer if you have a health concern.

From Portland: Bigfoot Adventure 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise

From Portland: Bigfoot Adventure 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise

Explore the history and lore of Bigfoot while traveling 80 miles roundtrip on the high-speed Explorer Jetboat from Portland to Multnomah Falls. See the landmarks that make the Northwest famous while listening to exclusive recorded narration by Cliff Barackman (star of Animal Planet‘s “Finding Bigfoot”) and a live tour guide. Explorer cruises are an adventure-style experience traveling at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. Note that river conditions vary and may result in frequent, sustained turbulent motion along with varied weather. For safety and comfort, guests should be in good health and without conditions that could be aggravated by motion. Please consult your doctor prior to booking a cruise on the Explorer if you have a health concern. Passenger Advisory: Explorer cruises are an adventure-style experience traveling at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. The Explorer Jetboat is not wheelchair/walker accessible. Must be steady on feet and take steps. Please note that river conditions vary and may result in frequent, sustained turbulent motion along with varied weather. For safety and comfort, guests should be in good health and without conditions that could be aggravated by motion. Please consult your doctor prior to booking a cruise on the Explorer if you have a health concern.

From Portland: Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Day Tour

From Portland: Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Day Tour

Prepare for an adventure of epic proportions as our passionate guides take you on a journey to the most stunning sights in the Gorge and Hood River Valley. Brace yourself for a spellbinding history lesson on this magical land while we whisk you away to one of the most tantalizing wineries that showcase the mesmerizing Columbia River AVA. Multnomah Falls, a breathtaking 620-foot ancient waterfall, is a true natural wonder. Underground streams originating miles above on Larch Mountain feed this beauty, which is split into two sections. The upper falls crashes down a staggering 542 feet into a serene pool, followed by another 69-foot drop, forming a creek that flows into the Columbia River. And, if that wasn't enough, the Historic Multnomah Falls Lodge sits right at the waterfall's base, making it the perfect place to relax and refuel. Next we will visit Bonneville Fish Hatchery. Take a stroll to the display ponds, where you can feed the rainbow trout while gazing at the majestic adult white sturgeon that are over 10 feet long! Just beyond the outdoor sturgeon pond lies a small white building, home to the Sturgeon Viewing Center, which was built back in 1998. Inside you’ll meet Herman, the granddaddy sturgeon who’s over 80 years old, 10 feet long, and weighs a whopping 500 pounds! Post-lunch, we'll hit up one top-notch winery, but first, explore downtown Hood River solo for your 1 hour lunch. If you're a wine lover, you'll be over the moon to know that the Columbia Gorge Wine Region is your Shangri-La! With over 65 wineries snuggled along a 40-mile stretch of the Columbia River, you're in for a treat. We've cherry-picked two fantastic wineries in the Hood River Valley region of Oregon. Brace yourself to indulge in a delightful wine-tasting experience from a list of impressive wineries such as Phelps Creek Vineyards, Cathedral Ridge Winery, Marchesi Vineyards & Winery, Viento, Mt. Hood Winery, Stave & Stone, Cascade Cliffs Tasting Room, The Pines, Garnier, Hood Crest, and Wy’East vineyards. After wine tasting you'll enjoy a stop at a farm stand (spring and summer only) where you will be able to pick up an afternoon snack. Finally we will drive over halfway up the side of Mt. Hood to Timberline Lodge. At 11,249 feet, Mt. Hood stands tall, flaunting its icy crown and boasting world-renowned ski areas. Timberline, in particular, is a snow magnet and the proud owner of the longest ski season in North America. Timberline Lodge has been wowing visitors for over 80 years. The lodge’s interior showcases bold Art Deco designs that scream 1930s America. Think stone arches, wrought iron accents, and roaring fireplaces, all made with rough-cut stone. Snap some pics of the mountain, wander through the lodge, and savor a cup of the Snow-Capped Dream, the most decadent hot chocolate you’ll ever taste! After exploring for the day, we'll whisk you off to your downtown Portland hotel.

From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour

From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour

We will depart downtown Portland and head east along the Columbia River to Troutdale, known as the Gateway to the Gorge! We will join the beautiful Historic Columbia River Highway, the first planned scenic roadway in the United States, and wind our way to our first stop for the day: Crown Point Vista House. This famous overlook sits 733 feet above the Columbia River, atop the remains of a lava flow that swept through the Gorge around 14 to 17 million years ago! Here, we will find amazing 180-degree views of the Columbia River Gorge and explore the Vista House. An intricately designed observatory and museum, the Vista House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From there, we will drive deeper into the Columbia River National Scenic Area. Our first waterfall for the day will be the dramatic Latourell Falls which plunges 249 feet over a massive wall of columnar basalt. Depending on the season, a short ¼-mile paved trail hike will be led to get a closer view of the falls. The next waterfall we will visit will be the grand Multnomah Falls. Plummeting 620 feet in two major steps, Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in Oregon and second highest continuously flowing waterfall in the nation! Here, we will explore the Multnomah Falls Historic Lodge (a Cascadian style stone and timber lodge built in 1925) as well as the beautiful Multnomah Falls itself. During the gorge fire of 2017, the wildland fire crew fought tirelessly and ultimately saved this historic landmark. The easily accessible viewing platform offers a full view of the Benson Bridge and cascading falls beyond it. Onward to Hood River, also known as the Windsurfing Capital of the World, we will pause for an hour with a chance to explore the town and eat lunch. Following lunch, we will set out heading south, through the picturesque Fruit Loop orchards and lavender farms. If time permits, we may even make a brief stop at one of the farm stands! Continuing, we will wind our way, climbing to roughly 6,000 feet in elevation, to Timberline Lodge. This National Historic Landmark sits proudly against Oregon’s highest peak- Mt. Hood! Attracting over 10,000 climbers each year, Mt. Hood is a mammoth to behold. We’ll go on a walking tour inside the lodge and enjoy the surrounding Cascade Mountain Range views from the lodge’s outdoor patios. If time allows, a short hike to the Pacific Crest Trail crossing just behind the lodge will be led by your guide. After the full day of adventures, you will return to Portland (approximately 1.5-hour drive).

Portland: Scenic Self-Guided E-Bike Tour at Multnomah Falls

Portland: Scenic Self-Guided E-Bike Tour at Multnomah Falls

More than 10,000 customers have made unforgettable memories with Ebike Multnomah Falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Built to showcase the massive waterfalls falling from the basalt walls of the Columbia River Gorge, the route spans chasms with dramatic bridges and sweeping overlooks provide stunning views around every corner. Finished in 1915 it was built specifically for this kind of open air experience. We’re recommended by Travel Oregon and are an excellent option for groups with capacity for up to 50 riders. Our tour begins 2 miles from Multnomah Falls where we have free, secure parking. Expect a warm welcome from our team and ebikes that fit you perfectly. Everything you need is included like helmets, locks, water bottle holders. From there you’ll be led by our digital guide (https://ebikemultnomahfalls.com/half-day-tour-guide/) which provides all the info you need to design the perfect tour for your group! We’re never more than 10 minutes away should you need anything. As you approach the first waterfall you’ll lock your bike to the bike rack and enjoy a short but breathtaking hike through old growth Oregon forest to the first waterfall. Over all 6 waterfalls there’s about 1.5 miles of hiking recommended but not required. Continue on to the rest of the waterfalls and get ready for an unforgettable day making memories of Oregon that will last a lifetime. We have a variety of bikes that bikes fit riders 4'10" to 6'8" and up to 300lbs. Ride the bike like a scooter with the throttle or like a regular bike using the pedal assist. The only requirement is that you're 16+ and comfortable sharing the road with cars.

Multnomah Falls: Half-Day Tour of All 5 Major Waterfalls

Multnomah Falls: Half-Day Tour of All 5 Major Waterfalls

A memorable tour of Multnomah Falls and five other amazing Falls- plus visit Crown Point Vista House for incredible Columbia River views. The 3.5-hour tour explores the waterfalls and our local guides share knowledge about the area. This is an active tour with minimal driving and around two miles of walking around and exploring all the falls. You'll have time for exploring as well as hearing from the guide what makes the place special. The comfortable 14-passenger van features large windows, offering unobstructed views of five stunning waterfalls, including Horsetail Falls, Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Shepperds Dell, and Latourell Falls. Wrapping up at Crown Point Vista House this tour is sure to leave you with views that will last a lifetime. Our meeting point is Migration Brewing Gresham 18188 NE Wilkes Road Portland OR just 15 minutes from Downtown. It has safe parking for your car and the brewery is open from 11 am to 9 pm. Type Migration Brewing in as your locations during checkout if you'd like to meet us there. If you'd prefer pick up in downtown Portland, please select from the list of over 50 hotels who we partner with. Note downtown pick up is 45 minutes prior to the tour start time. The tour is family-friendly and suitable for people of all ages and abilities. We welcome families with children and elderly people. Our vans are ADA accessible and equipped with a wheelchair lift. Please note the route and itinerary are subject to change due to road and weather conditions. The 100+ year old scenic road is under constant conservation efforts. As such, the exact route and time at each stop may change.

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What people are saying about Cascade Locks

Overall rating

4.8
(230 reviews)

First and best time in Oregon! Phoebe was the best!! Super knowledgeable and never a dull moment on the tour. Made it worth every moment knowing we were guided by an experienced and fun guide. 100% recommend over and over again. Will be back to enjoy another stress free tour.

100/10. A wonderful tour of the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls with a fantastic guide full of great information and history. Huge appreciation to our nature enthusiast guide for showing us edible and medicinal plants! Thank you Aaron!

Our tour guide, David, was friendly, warm and informative. Great small van. Beautiful scenery. It was a great half day tour from Portland. When I'm back in the area I will be sure to book with them again!

Such a beautiful tour. Hit all the main waterfalls and was very impressed with our tour guide and the knowledge he had about Portland and the Columbia Gorge. One of the best tours I’ve ever been on.

It was our favorite part of our trip. Our guide made it fun and memorable. Would highly recommend.