Columbia River

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.

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.

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.

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.

Embark on an unforgettable 15-mile round trip adventure with Wileys Boat Rides, departing from the vibrant heart of downtown Wenatchee along the mighty Columbia River. Our state-of-the-art jet boat, a perfect blend of comfort and thrill, serves as your gateway to a unique sightseeing and adventure experience. As we glide north towards the towering US 2 Bridge, prepare for a perfect blend of breathtaking vistas, playful cruising and some thrills. Our journey's first highlight is the Rocky Reach Dam, an engineering marvel nestled along the riverbank. We'll idle close to the dam, providing ample time for you to capture stunning photographs and absorb its fascinating history shared by our knowledgeable captains. After reveling in the sights at the dam, our course reverses southward, cruising beneath the US 2 Bridge once more. Approaching the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers, we pause to admire this natural spectacle, where the merging waters create a stunning display of nature's power. The voyage includes mostly gentle, mellow drifting turns, some sharp right-angle fish-tail turns, and a few exhilarating "Hamilton Spins," where the boat twirls within its own length.

Enjoy a combined 6-hour sightseeing tour of Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area with the chance to sample the wines of Oregon at boutique wineries. In the company of a naturalist guide, travel alongside the Columbia River, looking out for Bald Eagles and Osprey, and admire the towering basalt cliffs that formed when the river cut its way through the Cascade Mountain Range. See some of the region’s 70 waterfalls including Multnomah Falls, the second tallest perennial waterfall in America. Continue east, as the wet forests of the Pacific Northwest give way to Garry Oak, Ponderosa Pines, and other arid vegetation, creating prime growing conditions for grapes. As you near Hood River, embark on a tour of the local wineries, each one unique. Sample the boutique wines exclusive to Oregon. Your guide will tell the story of the land’s natural and cultural history, so that with each sip you will learn a little more about how the forces that shaped the landscape also shaped the wine in your glass.