Explore Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Tour

YEAR-ROUND

$89 / Person

 

9:00 am & 1:30 pm 3-4 hours

The 85-mile (137-km) long Columbia Gorge NSA would be a national park if it weren’t a critical transportation corridor. In the early 1900s, Portlanders would drive their Model T cars along the Columbia River Highway to gaze at waterfalls. It was the first scenic highway built in America. There is said to be over 4000 waterfalls; many are hidden away, but many are just a short hike off the Historic Highway. On this tour you’ll explore the western, rainforested, southern side of the Gorge, dubbed “waterfall alley” where we’ll have you getting wet under a waterfall, peering over cliffs, and learning stories of the area only the locals know. Pickup is at Director Park.

DETAILS

$89 per person 

YEAR-ROUND:
9:00 AM
– 12:30PM | 1:30 PM – 5:00PM

Transportation: Departing from Director Park.

TOUR INCLUDES: 

  • Professional guide

  • Water & Snacks

PLEASE BRING:

  • Money: Gratuities are not included in the price of the tour (always appreciated)

  • Layers: Warm & dry layers for variable weather

  • Miscellaneous Gear: Shoes that are suitable for walking, hat (depending on weather), sunglasses, sunscreen (if sensitive), camera

Itinerary

This is a typical itinerary for this product:

Stop At: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon

On the eastern edge of the Portland Metro Area is the western edge of the beautiful 85-mile long Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Columbia River Highway, State Highway 30 from Troutdale to The Dalles, Troutdale, OR 97060

Your guide will drive you along segments of this stunning 74-mile (119 -km) highway that was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sandy River, Oregon

We’ll parallel the Sandy River while driving the western segment of the Columbia River Highway. The Sandy’s headwaters is a glacier on Mt. Hood, and the river is known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. As a result, the Sandy is one of three tributaries of the Columbia who’s dams have been removed since 2007.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, State Highway 30, Troutdale, OR 97060

Here’s your chance to capture the quintessential Gorge shot.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Vista House, 40700 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019-9725

This 100-year-old ‘fanciest rest stop in the world’ sits atop a basalt point above the Columbia River, with a 360-degree balcony. The sandstone, limestone, and marble building includes historical interpretation and fancy restrooms.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Latourell Falls, Guy W. Talbot State Park., Corbett, OR

A short walk from the vehicle reveals a 249-foot hanging waterfall adorned with fluorescent lichen and columnar basalt.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area, State Highway 30, Troutdale, OR 97060

This delightful little cove provides for a hidden surprise and some remarkable pictures.

Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Bridal Veil Falls State Park, Columbia River Scenic Highwy, Milepost 28, Corbett, OR 97019

An old logging ghost town dating to the 1880s, harboring a waterfall, an operating post office, and a circa-1920s B & B.

Pass By: Wahkeena Falls, Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, OR

A short switch-back trail through Hemlock and Doug-fir leads to a bridge at the base of the falls.

Stop At: Multnomah Falls, 53000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Bridal Veil, OR 97010

The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.

Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Oneonta Gorge, Cascade Locks, OR 97014

A slot canyon created by a fault, with plants growing on the walls found nowhere else.

Stop At: Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge, Columbia Gorge Map link, Hood River, OR

Get some quirky photos at this quirky waterfall!

Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: State Route 14 in Beacon Rock State Park, North Bonneville, WA

View the fifth-largest free-standing monolith in the world, from a distance.

Pass By: Rooster Rock State Park, Interstate 84 East, Corbett, OR 97019

As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America’s oldest continuously running nudist beach!

Client Reviews

Excellent
Based on 21 reviews
Nagalingeswaran Veerapa
Nagalingeswaran Veerapa
2023-03-08
It was last minute decision for and glad took the tour. Marcus was very informative ( and great chat as well) with regards to Portland history and also it the geological landscapes ( very interesting if you are keen on the subject) of the area that we are visiting. He also does explain the native cultural narrative of Mount Hood (WyEast) , Mt.Adams and Mt Helens. He also shows apart from the famous waterfalls ( Multnomaf Falls) , there are other water falls when passing by. Also, watch out for some beaver bridge which he will occasionally show when there is one. As for wine tasting, it was 1st time experience for me. All in all ( my main take is the Mount Hood/Timberline and others were a bonus for me) , if you would like to relax and enjoy the scenery, this is recommended. Please take note the timing and distance.
Charles Althoff
Charles Althoff
2022-11-05
Our driver was professional and fun. We had a great time!
Fernando Lopez
Fernando Lopez
2022-10-22
Tour guide was very informative and best parking to meet up with the tour guide is Paramount Hotel.
Chris Williams
Chris Williams
2022-08-25
What an amazing tour company!! I booked a wine tasting tour around Hood river and Mt. Hood for my girlfriends birthday and Terran Travels and Ben, our tour guide, did not disappoint! Ben was very friendly and informative of all of the areas we went through. The places we stopped at were all very nice with very tasty wines, and we even stopped at a little farmers market place which was very cool and we loved it! Ben went out of his way to make sure my girlfriends special day was even more amazing and I can not thank him enough! This tour is truly unforgettable and we will definitely return! Thank you Terran travels and Ben for the amazing tour and for making my girlfriends birthday even more amazing!
Tom Penn
Tom Penn
2022-07-03
Great tour with terran - very knowledgeable tour guide and a full packed day!
Pauline Daly
Pauline Daly
2022-02-16
Highly recommend this tour. Spend a day on a hike to ten falls trail silver falls and afterwards went wine tasting. First of all Marcus our tour guide was punctual and a very pleasant guy. He drove us up to the falls and was a mind of information regarding terrain, geology weather influences and local history. We arrived and were brought on out trail. He was so patient as I love taking pictures and he waited patiently for me to get the shots I needed. Stopping along the way to point out the habitat and influences of other species and history of the formation of the park. We were treated to beautiful scenery and spectacular waterfalls. On completing hike Marcus had a beautiful packed lunch ready for us. It was so tasty and went down a treat. We packed up and proceeded to the wine tasting. On our journey Marcus was a mind if information regarding grapes, weather, terrain types of wine associated with the region. We visited two places of interest and enjoyed the experience. Dropped off to our hotel and didn't have the worry of having to drive as we enjoyed our wine. If you are in the Portland area and need a good guide Marcus is your man.a gentleman and a encyclopedia of facts and information. Will be my first choice when I'm back again.
Jitain Raheja
Jitain Raheja
2021-09-08
We took the Coast tour with Marcus today.. We loved the tour... Marcus was very Professional and shared quite a few insightful details along the drive.. the itinerary was good and we got to see a few beautiful points of view... it was relaxed... we didn't feel rushed... the weather was beautiful and it def made our day... would definitely recommend them.
Elizabeth Stelz
Elizabeth Stelz
2021-08-10
Took 2 tours... Willamette valley wine tour (3 wineries with lunch) and Mt Hood with 2 wineries and a couple of other stops. Note that these tours do not include the tasting fees. Both tours were very enjoyable.
Melanie Belote
Melanie Belote
2021-07-16
We had Phil, who was very well researched and knowledgeable on the city! He was very courteous, and spoke in a clear and concise manner! Very easy to understand and he answered all our questions. I'm glad we took the tour, because I would not have been able to navigate the city traffic.
call us now