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| If you decide to stop at Multnomah Falls keep in mind that
1. Parking there now is by permit/appointment only. Small parking lot, popular spot. Make arrangements ahead of time, a simple Google search will get the info.
2. Knouting aka Smash & Grab incidences are higher in that parking lot than anywhere else in the state. Do not leave anything in your car that you are not prepared to lose.
The river tours aren't all that.
Highway 14 if you're driving one way is much prettier.
Stevenson, Hood River and The Dalles all have some great restaurants, check Yelp to find something to your liking.
As another mentioned, you might want to avoid Columbia Cliff Villas Hotel at Hood River. Not what it was.
I'd consider Carson Hot Springs Resort for something luxurious if you like to soak.
Highly recommend Celilo Inn in The Dalles. Get a king room near the office overlooking The Dalles dam. It's a nicely remodeled and upscaled 60s roadside type motel where you can park in front of your door. I've stayed there many times and really enjoy it.
Highly recommend Columbia Hills State Park right across the river. You'll need a Washington State Parks pass, have to buy a day pass online and no cell service in some parts of the park. It's an old cattle ranch with corrals and machinery, you can drive about halfway up the mountain and park and then hike the trail to the top of Stacker Butte, incredible view of the Gorge. The trail is a gentle gradient gravel road, just a stroll with an incline.
If you've got extra time I'd explore the Scablands in Eastern Washington. Beautiful wheat country. Palouse Falls is incredible and you can drive to it. Look that one up.
Just a short and gorgeous drive down US 197 to Tygh Valley is White River State Park, tiny little place with a waterfall, super secret place until now.
There's a lot more than that river to see around there. I'm fortunate enough to get paid to drive out there and see it! I've got more if interested but don't know what you like. | |
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Columbia river gorge
