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.