It is such a beautiful and scenic drive each and every time going through the Columbia River Gorge!…read moreIt's something I never tire of and there are so many things to go see both on the Oregon and Washington side of the Gorge. One of the most notable places to stop is Multnomah Falls. It's a highly popular place and it is certainly understandable as to why but it is best to go early. You may even need to look into getting a reservation in order to get a parking space as well... because yes... it is actually that popular all year round. There are so many cute little towns through the Gorge as well. Hood River is a favorite of ours and I believe it's a favorite for a lot of people but Cascade Locks is nice as well and the Washington side has cute towns as well. On the Oregon side is Interstate 84 but don't explore this Interstate or route as a quick, brisk route to get east to west (or vice versa) as you cannot go typical Interstate speed through the Gorge. The curvature of the road and through this long stretch simply doesn't allow you to do that so it would be worth looking into alternate routes as possible if quickness is the only thing in mind otherwise you kind of just have to endure the reduced speeds. The Columbia River itself one doesn't have to repeat how beautiful it is but it's understandable if you do. River activities never fail to mesmerize. Like the group of people we once saw sailing down the river with boogie boards ( perhaps there's another name for it I'm not in the know with that) and the almost other worldly appearance of numerous fisherman on boats once fishing season was in full swig in the early morning. It's something one can never get tired of, The Columbia Gorge and I enjoy it each and every time I drive through it. It's breathtaking and truly one of essential drives to partake if visiting Oregon.

This area is an absolute must see if you are in the Portland area. It is really gorgeous. We drove…read moreto the visitor center and from there hiked up toward Multnomah Falls. It is a great way to get your steps in while surrounded by nature at its finest. There a number of waterfalls in this area and if you don't have time to get out and hike, there are some that can be seen from your car while driving by. We spent most of a day driving and hiking to the waterfalls using a map we got from the visitor center. It was raining during our visit, but we still got to see some beautiful scenery. There's a restaurant at Multnomah Falls Lodge in case you are looking for a place for lunch while in the area.

The place to start your trip! The new digs of the Visitor's Center are top notch, and have plenty…read moreof brochures, helpful guides, and amazing staff that can point you in the right direction and offer personalized recommendations. They are super close to Nuvrei bakery and Powell's - ideal spots to hit right after or beforehand of your Portland adventure. They keep all items fresh and upto date so this is a great PDX resource. Go visit!

Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Visitor center is…read morevery close to Powell's Books, hotels, shopping, and attractions. They have WiFi, cell phone charging stations, and water fill stations too. The center is stocked with brochures from over 200 attractions + city and state maps

Rolling east out of Portland in search of ghosts and stories, we'd already paid our respects to…read moreMultnomah Falls and crossed the myth-soaked Bridge of the Gods. Then the land opens up, the Columbia River stretches wide like it's catching its breath and boom you arrive at The Dalles Lock and Dam Visitor Center. This is where you stop, step out, and really take it in. The dam itself The Dalles Dam was built between 1952 and 1957 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, costing about $243 million at the time. It stretches over 3,000 feet across the river, holding back a force that doesn't negotiate. And right here at the visitor center, you get one of the best vantage points to witness it all. The visitor center is the kind of place that sneaks up on you in a good way. Clean, well-kept, and loaded with surprisingly interesting exhibits. You'll find displays breaking down how the locks work (yes, real ships get lifted and lowered like something out of a mechanical dream), plus the history of the river, trade routes, and the raw power behind hydroelectric generation. It's educational without feeling like homework. Step outside though that's the real show. You stand there watching the water churn, hearing that low, constant thunder, and it hits you: this isn't just scenery. It's controlled chaos. And like any place where man wrestles nature into submission, there's a weight to it. You can't help but think about the lives, the risks, the cost beyond dollars. These places are as much graveyards as they are achievements quietly demanding respect. Five stars, easy. It's beautiful. It's a little eerie if you let your imagination wander. And it's one of those stops that turns a road trip into something more than just miles on pavement. Next stop. John Day then Baker City And I swear these dams just keep getting dammier.

They had different raptors in the visitor center. Pretty cool. We came by to watch the bald…read moreeagles. We saw 8 of them today.

This is an interesting spot, especially to see the fish ladder. The day I was there I saw a ton of…read morelamprey swimming around, as well as a few steelheads and some smaller fish I couldn't identify. It's set up very nicely for tourists, and everything is well labeled. You can take yours, but I chose not to. Worth a stop if you're in the area.

Great post waterfalls hike. Washington side you'll be able to see the generators. Loved it.read more

Very beautiful visitor center. It reopened in 2025 after being closed for renovations and I have to…read moresay, the architecture is GORGEOUS with vaulted ceilings and large windows to let in the surroundings. There's wood paneling which helps you feel immersed into nature. There's an informational desk about the area, helpful for visitors newish to the area or those with questions. The gift shop is also accessible with the usual offerings of post cards, tchotchkes, and such. Do note that the restrooms are accessible outdoors at the side of the building. There's a pay area part of the center which is $5/18+, $2.50/7-17, free for 6 years old or younger, and family $15 for 2 adults and children 7-17 years old. They also honor veteran's disabled pass, WA state disabled pass, and senior limited income pass. It's definitely worth the admission, since there's a lot of exhibits explaining the geology of the area, the flora and fauna, the native peoples, and the later commercial and recreational uses of the area. There's even a place where you can walk into a huge mock up of Mt St Helens! Very fun. They have a short film playing about the eruption too. I didn't get to explore much outside as it was super rainy, but I saw a boardwalk trail out in the back. I did not see Mt St Helens due to the weather, but I'll be back when the weather is nicer!

Just stopped in to get a map and road conditions. you can…read morepay a small fee and see the exhibits. Discounts for Washington Residents only.

The smallest visitor center I've ever seen! But the help is really friendly and knowledgeable about…read morethe area. Picked up brochures. They also have a few gifts and some free stickers to take home a perfect beginning before driving the historical I-30.

We stopped here before proceeding to Fort Vancouver and it was a good use of time. The employees…read morewere friendly, helpful, and obviously knowledgeable. I did not think the gift ship was much, very small. But there is an excellent 16 minute video that is incredibly interesting and well done. If you visit, be sure to see the video. It is accessible for all ages. From the visitor center, it's about a 8-10 minute walk to the fort.

Great information to research at the visitor center. Everyone is really nice and helpful.read more

First and best place to stop along the way to Mt St Helens. Helicopter ride (2 person minimum)…read morestarting at $270 and a good restaurant are two things the other stops further up won't have.

Just what I needed....a vista of Mount Saint Helen's, a restroom, a free movie of the 1980…read moreexplosion, and a gift shop with Big Foot t-shirts. What else is needed!? Located about 10-15 miles before Cascade Lake (the end of the road), this rest stop is a 'must stop!' I took some beautiful pics to mark this sunshiny day. There are plenty of parking stalls, accessible bathrooms, and the gift shop sells snacks, too! The next time you head out to the mountain, stop here and take a load off!

This is a great spot to learn at. No Charge and willing docents that want to share their knowledge…read more And a short video included.

Wahkeena Falls was such a great surprise. We made a quick stop here on our way to Multnomah Falls,…read moreand I'm so glad we did -- it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The falls are powerful and beautiful, surrounded by lush greenery and mossy cliffs, and the mirrors were amazing, making the whole place feel extra magical. The short walk to the lower viewing area is easy and accessible, but if you want more, the trail continues uphill and offers even better views and a peaceful forest hike. It's also much less crowded than Multnomah Falls, which made the experience even better. Tips: Parking is limited, so try to go early. The trail can be slippery from the mist, so good shoes are a must. Highly recommend stopping here if you're exploring the Gorge -- especially as a stop before or after Multnomah Falls.

Wahkeena Falls was the fourth waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, at 9:36 am. There…read moreis a parking paved angled parking lot with 20+ spots. One can then either take 10 steps or a handicamp ramp to get to a nice viewing spot. From that spot, one can climb a steep trail further to get closer to the falls. Notes: - named after the Yakama Indian word meaning "most beautiful". - 242 feet high