A day around the Columbia Gorge(Beyond Multnomah Falls)
Waterfalls, a beloved sturgeon, a bridge across the river and an unhurried drive home with a few more views.
Explore the day
A little adventure, with room to linger.
Leave Portland in the morning, explore the Oregon side first, cross at Cascade Locks and return on the Washington side. The waterfall walk and Vancouver dinner are choices, so you can set the pace that feels right.
- Wahclella Falls optional hike
- Bonneville Fish Hatchery
- Bridge of the Gods $3 car toll
- Skamania Lodge lunch
- Beacon Rock
- Cape Horn viewpoint
Follow the river.
Wahclella Falls
Start with a relatively easy 2.4-mile round-trip walk beside Tanner Creek to a waterfall tucked into a mossy canyon. Allow time to enjoy the creek and the view; skip the hike if you want a slower day. Check trail conditions and parking before you leave.
Check Wahclella Falls trail information
Bonneville Fish Hatchery
Just across the highway, stroll the hatchery grounds and meet Herman at the Sturgeon Viewing Center. He is over 80 years old and about 10 feet long. You can also feed rainbow trout at the display ponds, so bring quarters for the fish-food machines. The grounds and viewing center are free; the nearby dam visitor center is a separate optional stop.
Bridge of the Gods
Continue east to Cascade Locks and cross the steel truss bridge over the Columbia River. Pause for the river views from shore before driving across into Washington. A passenger-car toll applies, so check the current amount before your trip.
Lunch at Skamania Lodge
Settle in for lunch and a view of the Gorge. You can ask for a table when you arrive, but seating depends on availability; making a reservation is the safer choice, especially on busy weekends. Leave a little time to walk the grounds after eating.
Beacon Rock
Admire the rock from below or climb the trail of stairs, bridges and switchbacks for a sweeping river view. It is a short but steep outing with exposed sections. Ice Age floods scoured the volcanic rock into the landmark you see today. Henry Biddle bought it for $1, built a trail to the top, and his family later gave it to Washington to preserve as a park. Check trail closures and park entry requirements before climbing.
Cape Horn viewpoint
Continue west on the Washington side and pause at a safe, designated viewpoint for a wide look across the Columbia. The full Cape Horn hiking trail is a longer outing; this stop is just a scenic break on the drive home.
Stay for dinner in Vancouver.
The Vancouver Waterfront is an easy final pause for a river walk and dinner before heading back to Portland. On a full hiking day, you may be happier going straight home from Cape Horn.
Photo credits
Wahclella Falls, Bonneville Fish Hatchery, Bridge of the Gods drone view and Skamania Lodge: photos by Ranya Muttaleb.
Bridge banner and story card: Oregon Department of Transportation, CC BY 2.0; cropped and color adjusted. Beacon Rock: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain. Cape Horn: etliebe, public domain. Vancouver Waterfront: Rod Sager, CC BY-SA 4.0; cropped and color adjusted, with the edited image shared under the same license.