Columbia Gorge Day trip from Portland

On a recent visit to Portland I stayed in Troutdale, a suburb on the eastern outskirts and with easy access to I-84. On my return to Washington I decided to take the scenic route home, inspiring this day trip itinerary. This itinerary would work from any part Portland, but is especially convenient if you are staying along I-205 or I-84.

This itinerary takes you along the Columbia Gorge scenic area, incorporating top sights like Multnomah Falls and the Bonneville Dam area, and then returns following the river along the Washington side.

CAVEAT: If you have a fear of heights, skip down to stop 4–Bridge of the Gods and decide whether this is the right itinerary for you. You could continue on to Hood River and cross there instead, but this becomes a long route for a day trip if you do. Otherwise, after Cascade Locks you could return to Portland on I-84 or Hwy 30.

1. Multnomah Falls

Time to Allow: Viewing the falls from main area plus the lodge, about 15-20 minutes; if you go to Benson Bridge, allow about 45-60 minutes total.

This is one of the most popular attractions near Portland, drawing upwards of 2 million visitors a year. In the summer months you will need a timed entry permit. The earlier you arrive, the better your odds of finding parking. If you can get here before 9 am (summer months) you won’t need a permit.

Multnomah Falls is the second tallest year round waterfall in the U.S. and a 600+ ft. plume of water cascades from the top of the mountain side in two levels. The first fall is the tallest and lands near Benson Bridge, a stone bridge that crosses over the waterfall at this point. Under the bridge, the water makes its second tumble.

There is an accessible viewing platform at the base of the falls. This will allow you to take the classic photo that encompasses the entire length of the falls, including the bridge. A short uphill walk will take you to the bridge level where you get closer to the upper falls, and can look down on the lower falls. If you have issues with heights, the bridge may not be for you, but you can still walk to the edge of the bridge to get a closer look at the falls.

While it is possible to hike to the top of the falls, it takes more time (about 1 mile uphill) and has 600 ft. of elevation gain. In order to keep this a day trip, I recommend going as far as Benson Bridge and then turning back.

Head back down to the quaint stone lodge and peek in at the visitors center for a little history lesson on the area and the falls themselves.

Read my full article on visiting Multnomah Falls

2. Bonneville Dam & Fish Hatchery

Time to Allow: About an hour to view all parts of the dam, add another 30-45 minutes if you want to see the hatchery too.

A volunteer at the Multnomah Falls visitor center suggested that we stop at the Dam because at that time (late August) upwards of 15,000 Chinook Salmon were passing through the fish ladder on a daily basis. (And we know this because apparently “Fish Counter” is one of the jobs to be had here).

As you take exit 40 to get to both the dam and hatchery, the road will diverge and you can go left to the hatchery or right to the dam (which has the fish ladder viewing). We chose to go right.

After passing a security checkpoint, we drove towards the visitor center, including driving right alongside the powerhouse. The visitor center is on multiple levels, with the main entrance on the fourth floor.

Here you will find a gift shop, interpretive displays including a light up map showing where all the power gets sent to in the region, and restrooms.

Head up one floor with the elevators for an open air viewing platform of the river, powerhouse, fish ladder, and the spillway. Then hop back down two floors where you can view a 20 minute film on the history of the dam.

The most exiting part is on the first floor though, where there are several fish viewing windows. As promised, there was an enormous amount of fish in all sizes passing through. One interesting fact is that the nearby hatchery clips the adipose fin on the hatchery raised fish so that they can keep tabs on which fish are wild and which are not.

Then head outside where you can walk along the fish ladder and then around to the original powerhouse. Here you can view a small selection of exhibits about the construction of the dam and power generation in general as well as view the massive generators.

We weren’t able to visit the navigation locks because it was only open in the afternoon, but were told that is was well worth a stop.

We did not go to the hatchery, but one of the main draws there is Herman the Sturgeon, a massive sturgeon with his own viewing tank. You can also feed the fish in some of the tanks, so if you have kids, this may be worth the extra visit. Both the hatchery and dam are free to visit.

Read my full article on the Bonneville Dam

3. Cascade Locks marine Park

Time to Allow: 20-30 minutes to stroll around, add 20 minutes if you want to go inside the museum

A short drive further takes you to the small town of Cascade Locks. If you are ready for lunch, here is one place to do it. There were several restaurants and a couple of breweries. We opted to just head for the Marine Park.

At the Marine Park, you can walk across a foot bridge where you can get views of the river and the backside of the town. In the park itself was a historical museum with local history, as well as some old farm equipment in an adjacent shed. Also onsite was the Oregon Pony steam locomotive, the first one in the Northwest. It is housed in it’s own building with viewing windows on all sides.

Note: pay parking is in effect at the park. In summer 2025 it was $2 an hour.

Cascade Locks is also the home of the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler and you can see it moored when it isn’t taking passengers out along the Columbia. We saw it out on the river as we were driving so were unable to view it docked.

4. Bridge of the GOds

Oh boy, I wasn’t expecting this. I had put away my dash cam before crossing into Washington over the Bridge of the Gods but wish I hadn’t (toll: $3, summer 2025). This bridge isn’t for the vertigo inclined.

After an ordinary start past the toll booth, the bridge deck turned to iron grating (i.e. see through). On top of that, it is narrow with no shoulder, yet you are asked to share the road with pedestrians and cyclists, but please do not pass!

It crosses the Columbia at a height of 144 feet, so your passengers will have a great view though.

I found this video on Youtube which accurately shows what it is like to cross this bridge.

After crossing the bridge, turn left (west) onto Highway 14.

5. Beacon Rock State Park

Time to Allow: about 1.5 hours if you want to hike up the rock

Rising from the earth is a massive rock formation around which this state park is based. There is hiking, river shoreline, and picnic facilities here. You do need a Washington Discover Pass or a day use permit if you plan to stop here.

Beacon Rock is no ordinary rock, it is actually the core of an extinct volcano rising 848 feet. You can learn more here.

If you brought a picnic lunch, this would be a great spot to enjoy it, otherwise continue on to Camas where you can have some lunch.

6. Camas

Time to Allow: 1-2 hours, depending if you are having lunch here.

This itinerary has a little bit of nature, a little bit of history, some fish, some water, how about ending with a little shopping and food?

We ended up in Camas which has a surprisingly quaint downtown core. Stroll the tree lined 4th Avenue and find a spot to eat. Walk it off with a little shopping at the boutique shops or pay a visit to Attic Gallery, featuring works from multiple artists.

My son wanted Burgerville, an Oregon based fast food chain with locally sourced ingredients and grass fed beef. There is one a block over on the corner of 3rd and Dallas. If you are in the Portland area and want a better version of fast food, give this chain a try.

From Camas, continue west along Highway 14 until you run into the I-205. Get on the 205 southbound to return to your Portland starting point.

Photo CC 2.0 Bill Reynolds/Wikimedia: Downtown Camas