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Crown Point Vista House

Crown Point Vista House: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour

1. From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour

Discover the scenic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge on a small group tour with an expert guide in a luxury passenger van. Explore Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, stopping at several picturesque waterfalls typical of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Depart from downtown Portland and drive towards Troutdale, known as the Gateway to the Gorge. Enjoy the journey along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the first planned scenic roadway in the United States. Arrive at Crown Point Vista House, an overlook that sits high above the Columbia River. From there, continue along the historic highway deep into the Columbia River National Scenic Area. Arrive at the first waterfall of the day, the dramatic Latourell Falls, which plunges 249 feet over a massive wall of columnar basalt.  You'll also have the chance to visit an often overlooked gem, Horsetail Falls, directly off of the historic highway. Once at the base of these falls, it won't be difficult to see how it received its name.  Proceed next to the grand Multnomah Falls, which plummets to the ground from 620 feet in two major steps. Explore the Multnomah Falls Historic Lodge and stand on the easily accessible viewing platform that offers a full view of the Benson Bridge and cascading falls beyond. Afterward, relax on the journey back to Portland via the Columbia River Gorge scenic route.

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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

Portland: Mount Hood Wine and Waterfalls Full-Day Tour

5. Portland: Mount Hood Wine and Waterfalls Full-Day Tour

Enjoy a full-day tour of the beautiful landscapes of the wine-growing regions near Portland. Discover breathtaking sights like the Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls. Enjoy a mouth-watering lunch and a winetasting experience at a local winery.  Be picked at your accommodation in Portland and relax in comfort aboard a Mercedes Sprinter van as you travel through the verdant landscape of the Willamette Valley which is known for its hazelnuts, berries, evergreen trees, and Pinot Noir wine. Ride into the foothills of the western Cascades and ascend to the tree line on Mount Hood, the highest peak in Oregon. Spend an hour at the historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression.  Explore the interpretive displays, go hiking, or play in the snow, before heading thorugh the Hood River Valley to a picturesque winery. Eat a farm-to-table lunch while enjoying a wine tasting at a boutique vineyard with a view of Mount Hood.  Learn about wine production in the region and visit 1 other winery in the Columbia Gorge or Columbia Valley areas. Travel through the Columbia Gorge and admire the towering basalt cliffs, before stopping for half and hour at Multnomah Falls. Have time to walk up to the Benson Bridge, visit the interpretive center, or peruse the gift shop. Afterward, head back to Portland to be dropped off at your hotel.

From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour

6. From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour

Explore the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood National Forest on board a luxury passenger van. Enjoy picturesque Pacific Northwest scenery on well-maintained trails with an expert guide. Depart from downtown Portland and drive towards Troutdale, known as the Gateway to the Gorge. Enjoy the journey along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the first planned scenic roadway in the United States. Arrive at Crown Point Vista House, an overlook that sits high above the Columbia River. From here, go deeper into the Columbia River National Scenic Area to the first waterfall for the day, the dramatic Latourell Falls. This waterfall plunges 249 feet over a massive wall of columnar basalt. Depending on the season, a short walk will take you closer to the falls. Proceed next to the grand Multnomah Falls, which plummets to the ground from 620 feet in two major steps. Explore the Multnomah Falls Historic Lodge and stand on the easily accessible viewing platform that offers a full view of the Benson Bridge and cascading falls beyond. Next up is Hood River, known as the "Windsurfing Capital of the World", where you can explore and grab some lunch. After, set out heading south, through the Fruit Loop orchards and lavender farms. If time permits, you may even make a brief stop at one of the farm stands. Then, climb about 6,000 feet in elevation to Timberline Lodge. This National Historic Landmark sits proudly against Oregon’s highest peak, Mount Hood. Take a walking tour at the lodge and enjoy the Cascade Mountain Range views from the lodge’s patios, before a relaxing journey back to Portland.

Bridal Veil: Columbia River Gorge Shuttle Ticket

7. Bridal Veil: Columbia River Gorge Shuttle Ticket

THE WATERFALL LOOP This loop is for those folks looking to take their time in the Gorge. You will have the opportunity to visit and photograph 6 different locations on this trip. The loop takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete if you are not planning to hike. This tour has audio narration to provide historical information about the go HOW DOES THIS LOOP WORK? The bus leaves our lot in Bridal Veil and heads west passing the Angels Rest Trailhead. It continues past upper Bridal Veil State Park and along the Historic Columbia River Highway. You will pass Sheppards Dell and if you look to the south side of the road you will see a small waterfall. The bus will then stop at Latourell Falls and give you 15min to take a small walk to see the waterfall and take pictures. The bus will then take you up the hill through a thick canopy to Crown Point State Park/Vista House. Here you can get off and take in the views and building for 15min. After the bus picks you up at Crown Point it will take you all the way to Horsetail Falls. You will pass many waterfalls along the way, both named and unnamed. At Horsetail you will get 10min to view and take pictures before the bus is back to pick you up and take you Multnomah Falls. At Multnomah Falls you can get off and enjoy the amenities including snack bar, coffee stand, restaurant and gift shop. Take your time here because our express comes approximately every 30 minutes. The express or the next Waterfall Loop bus can take you to Wahkeena or back to our parking lot. Give yourself about 2.5 hrs to complete this loop.

Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour

8. Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour

Enjoy a half-day guided tour to discover the breathtaking landscape of the western Columbia Gorge. After pickup at your accommodation, travel down Waterfall Alley, known for having the highest density of hanging waterfalls in the world during the winter and spring. Stop at a viewpoint where you'll get a spectacular vista of the western Gorge, with the Vista House in the foreground.  You'll have 15 minutes to spend inside the Vista House, the fanciest rest stop in the world. It was built in 1918, and provides interpretive displays and sublime views. Be careful⁠⁠—sometimes the wind gusts to 160 km/h (100 mph). Stop and do a short and easy hike at a cathedral waterfall. You'll feel as if you're in a fairy tale as you walk through rainforest and discover a magnificent rock formation harboring an elegant waterfall and fluorescent-yellow lichen. As you walk through the rainforest, your guide will highlight some of the plants and animals you'll see along the way. As you drive the Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway, inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps, admire the towering basalt cliffs as you make additional waterfall stops. Explore the tallest waterfall in Oregon during a 30-minute stop at Multnomah Falls, where you can walk up to the Benson Bridge, visit the interpretive center, or peruse the gift shop. Afterwards, you’ll head back to Portland to be dropped off at your hotel.

From Troutdale: Waterfalls Gorge Helicopter Tour

9. From Troutdale: Waterfalls Gorge Helicopter Tour

See Multnomah Falls by helicopter and have an adventure of a lifetime. Meet your pilot in Troutdale, a short ride from Portland. Fly at cliff height into the amazingly scenic Columbia River Gorge and visit Multnomah Falls, one of America’s tallest waterfalls and a must-see northwest landmark. On your way to the Falls, enjoy the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge, a National Scenic Area. Giant forested hills, towering cliffs, unique rock formations, and multiple waterfalls create a one-of-a-kind landscape. See The Gorge from all angles and visit both the Washington and Oregon sides of the Columbia River en route. Mt. Hood will be visible in the background and you’ll have a chance to get pictures of a variety of Gorge landmarks including Crown Point, Cape Horn, Rooster Rock, and, the crown jewel of the Gorge, Multnomah Falls.

From Portland: Mt Hood, Hood River Valley and Columbia Gorge

10. From Portland: Mt Hood, Hood River Valley and Columbia Gorge

Travel east of Portland through the verdant landscape of Willamette Valley, known for its hazelnuts, berries, Christmas trees, and Pinot Noir. Stop at a donut shop in the town of Sandy for coffee and morning treats before beginning your ascent of Mount Hood, the highest summit in Oregon. Spend the next hour at the historic Timberline Lodge and enjoy 1 hour of free time. From Timberline Lodge, head to Hood River Valley. Here, feed baby pygmy goats, get a photo of Mount Hood, purchase local fruit and preserves, taste cider, or buy a huckleberry milkshake. Afterwards, visit downtown Hood River and break for lunch. After lunch, learn about the geological history that shaped the Columbia River Gorge as you drive eastward past windsurfers in the Gorge, before stopping at a viewpoint to admire panoramic views of the Cascades. Next, travel westward through the Columbia Gorge and stop at Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon, where you can walk up to the Benson Bridge, visit the interpretive center, buy a snack, or peruse the gift shop before heading back to Portland.

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What people are saying about Crown Point Vista House

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 287 reviews

Absolutely stunning!! Damon was such a great guide. Full of information and so easy to listen to. Personalized our tour and even dropped us off at our hotel. About as close to a must-do as there is for anyone wanting to see the natural beauty of the area. Our kids thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we can’t recommend this enough!!

I went on this tour with my sister as a local, she was visiting from out of town. It was entertaining and I think that it was well worth the experience. Even though I have been to the gorge before, it was nice to learn some facts and background that I did not know.

it was a very packed day with lots of fun experiences! I really liked the stops we made, and the weather was perfect. our guide, Damon, was also very nice and extremely knowledgeable.

Enjoyable trip in a comfortable van to 4 waterfalls with interesting knowledge from the guide at each stop. Well worth the cost.

Highly recommend this tour. Well worth the low price!