Places To Stay In The Columbia River Gorge
The Dalles: Celilo Inn:Comfortable, affordable, and right in town Celilo Inn in The Dalles will allow your guests to explore the areas around Hood River while also saving a bit of money.
Columbia Gorge Inn: Looking for the ultimate experience right off the Columbia River Gorge? Check out the Columbia Gorge Inn! With recently renovated rooms youll be comfy and able to rest before and after the big day.
Skamania Lodge and Resort at Skamania Coves: Talk about luxury! The Resort at Skamania Coves is the place for you. Be sure to book in advance though, this is the HOT spot in Stevenson, Oregon.
Searching for places to stay in Hood River that arent hotels? Weve got those too! Check out some of our favorite rental companies below.
Quiet Grass Trees Private
Escape some of the bigger camps hustle, bustle, and busyness and escape to this quiet little camping spot when Columbia River Gorge is camping. There are six sites available here, but there is plenty of privacy, offering a green oasis very close to town.
This camping spot is a little more urban than others, which is perfect if you are looking for somewhere where you can grab a bite to eat from town. Youre still less than an hour away from some of the main attractions, such as Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Scenic Highway.
Columbia River Gorge: Road Trip Packing List
Aside from the normal clothing and toiletries youd pack for any regular trip, here are the things Id recommend you not leave home without for your Columbia River Gorge road trip:
Aside from the activities listed above, there are about a million other things to do in the Columbia River Gorge. What are some of your favorite activities for a day trip to the Columbia River Gorge?
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Where To Stay In Columbia River Gorge
Here are the main towns to stay in when visiting Columbia River Gorge.
Hood River, Oregon sits on the Columbia River right in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Its about an hour east of Portland and is known for its breweries and being a good jumping off point to the Gorge wineries. When people say theyre staying in Columbia River Gorge, this is likely the town theyre near.
White Salmon is a quaint town across the river in Washington. I like staying here because its a bit quieter and gives you closer access to visiting the Gorge wineries on the other side of the river.
Cascade Locks is another area in Oregon a bit closer to Portland that people stay in when visiting Columbia River Gorge. Its home of the Bridge of the Gods, one of the bridges that let you cross between Oregon and Washington.
Here are some options of places to stay in these areas when visiting Columbia River Gorge.
The Society Hotel
When visiting the Columbia River Gorge, one of my favorite places to to stay is The Society Hotel. I was invited to check out this new hotel in Bingen, WA about 15 minutes away from Hood River, and let me tell youthis place is dope.
I got a tour from one of the five owners, Ceb, who was in charge of the propertys restoration. He explained that the main entrance to the hotel used to actually be a classroom. The cafe area used to be the admin and principals offices while the hallways where the rooms are used to be classrooms.
Klickitat Canyon Wine Tent Camping
Wine lover? This is the campsite for you! It is located at the Klickitat Canyon Winery, set high on a hill under the shade of large, leafy oaks. What more could you want?
Picturesque vineyards surround the small working farm, so you will have views no matter how you pitch your tent, and dramatic Mount Hood finishes off the picture. Plus, many of the local wineries welcome visitors for a taste of their creations.
A perfect way to spend the afternoon is cooling off in the Klickitat River, which can be found bubbling away a short distance from the winery.
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Vista House At Crown Point
The Crown Point Vista House has some of the most stunning views in Oregon. In addition to the amazing views, this is also a visitor center with a gift shop and bathrooms for those that need it. It is located 733 feet above the Columbia River and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The house was completed in 1918 as a rest stop, observatory, and memorial to Oregon pioneers. In the main lobby there are eight historic pillars that each give visitors an explanation of the history of the house. The basement of the house has displays that show historical locations along the gorge.
The balcony and many stunning locations around the house give visitors a chance to experience the famous gorge winds. The structure of the gorge funnels the weather and wind which creates some of the strongest straight wind in the country. The house has been unable to maintain a wind gauge because they keep getting blown down!
Hood River Waterfront Park
If you’re traveling on a summer weekend, try and get all the way to this lovely town and head out for the waterpark. Grab some food and drinks and spend a while watching local windsurfers on the river.
We really enjoyed spending some time like this, and that was where we crossed the river to the other bank and began the drive back to Portland.
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Meetings With A Purpose
In a world of instantaneous and impersonal communication its more important than ever to gather face to face. Not just to meet but rather to create an environment where a message can be morphed into new insights, actions can be taken, and transformations can be observed.
The Skamania Lodge was purpose built to facilitate transformational meetings. The perfect blend of one-of-a kind meeting venues, like our and , orchestrated and together set the stage for transforming the lives of attendees.
Where To Stay On The Columbia River Gorge Drive
As mentioned above, the drive along Columbia River is rather short and you can drive it in one day. However, with many places where to stop and what to experience, you may want to consider spending one or two nights in a beautiful B& B near the river along the way. Especially, taking into consideration how many redesigned hotels, Airbnbs, and privately owned quirky inns are there.
Among the best lodging in Columbia River Gorge, take a look at Stevenson, Carson, and White Salmon on the Washington side, and Hood River with Mosier in Oregon.
Hood River Hotel a retro-chic budget hotel in Hood River downtown. This phenomenal hotel has very good prices and can fit travelers on a mid-range budget. Charming rooms with comfy beds and extra touches make your stay special. Very good service and beautiful views.
Check prices and availability for Hood River Hotel on Hotels.com
Skamania Lodge if you are looking for a beautiful resort in the middle of the wilderness in a peaceful setting near the Cascade Locks, then this lodge can meet all your expectations. With comfortable and clean rooms, fantastic service, pool, hot tubs, and a beautiful location, Skamania Lodge always gets great reviews.
Check prices and availability for Skamania Lodge on Hotels.com
Three Sleeps Vineyard B& B maybe one of the most romantic places to stay in Columbia River Gorge. Built in a Tuscan style, this beautiful property overlooks the private vineyard on mountain slopes.
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How Long Is Columbia River Gorge Scenic Drive
The distance of Columbia River Gorge drive in Washington state is 102 miles and in Oregon 85 miles. If you drive it straight without making any stops, the road trip will be less than 2 hours.
But even if you are passing through and not planning to detour, it is simply impossible not to make a few stops along the way just for the scenery and a couple of photos. Plus, often in Oregon, historic Columbia River highway gets crowded and it is very easy to get stuck in a traffic jam.
Overall, plan to spend at least 4-5 hours on this drive on any side, if you are only passing through. Those who are taking it slowly and want to make the most out of their time should expect to spend one full day on this road trip.
Tips For Your Columbia Gorge Itinerary
Here are tips for making the most of your Columbia River Gorge itinerary.
Best time to visit columbia river gorge
Pretty much any season is a good season for visiting Columbia River Gorge, but each has its pros and cons.
Summer has the best weather and longer days for fitting more in. However, its often crowded with other visitors also looking to escape the city life. It can get especially crowded on the weekend. Pair that with hotter weather and some people might find this season less enjoyable.
Fall is a fantastic time to visit and my personal favorite. In late October the leaves turn vibrant autumn hues and you can do apple picking at one of the various orchards on the Hood River Fruit Loop. The Hood River U-Pick orchard is one of my favorites!
Note the fruit loop is also great in the summer with berry farms and farm stands, but remember, more people.
Winter is the least popular time to go because there will most likely be rain and the days are shorter. However, there will be way less people, so if youre ok hiking in the rain you can have a really secluded trip.
Spring is one of the other most popular times to visit Columbia River Gorge because of the wildflowers. There may still be rain, and it gets crowded on some hikes known for their flower meadows, but this is another good time to go with less crowds.
What to bring
Heres what you want to make sure you bring with you during your itinerary for Columbia River Gorge:
Where to stay
What to prep Before you go
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Where To Stay In The Columbia River Gorge
A great place to call your turnaround point is Hood River or its surrounding towns. Before you turn around and head back for Portland, consider an overnight stay to truly experience the magic of the Columbia River Gorge.
Our favorite stylish hotels in the Hood River area include:
- Hood River Hotel the oldest hotel in Hood River, yet is extremely stylish and modern.
- RubyJune Inn a bed and breakfast offering an exceptional breakfast located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, just 10 minutes drive from Hood River.
- The Society Hotel Bingen a beautiful concept hotel featuring a restaurant, bar, sun terrace, indoor pool, spa, a shared lounge, and garden. An absolutely drop-dead gorgeous hotel!
Excellent Hipcamps For Camping The Columbia River Gorge
Hipcamps are a fun way to elevate your camping experience, think Airbnb but for camping! Some of these spots are only accessible by private access so owners have opened up their land to allow you to camp or glamp on their property.
These are also a great back up when the state parks are full!
Dont forget to grab your FREE $10 Credit to try out Hipcamp.
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About Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Monthly Stay On Rent By Owner
Rent By Owner monthly rentals makes it easy to find, compare, and book vacation homes and condos for extended periods of time in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Whether you are looking for a weekly vacation rental, hotel suite, villa, cottage, or extended stays furnished apartment, theres always a plan to suit your style and budget. RBO monthly holiday rentals is a great option for comparing places to stay for longer periods.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is popular for monthly stays. We list rentals that include full kitchenettes, dryers, air-conditioning & heating, indoor or private swimming pools, gyms, and hot tubs. So, whether you’re looking for a luxury villa, condo, or cottage cabins that allow pets for a weekly ormonthly stay in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, with the entire family, working remotely, or an extended honeymoon in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, you’ll find a large selection of monthly furnished accommodation with top amenities to choose from.
Rent By Owner is a good option for executive traveler or those relocating for work or school. We connect you with property owners who are willing to have longer term, yet not permanent rentals. The Rent By Owner website makes it easy to filter options for guests wanting to find the best accommodation for groups, families, or solo travelers who need a place to stay for more than a few nights.
Road Trip Preparation: Road Conditions
Right before your trip, check Google Maps or TripCheck before you hit the road.
We actually like TripCheck a little bit more for this exercise, because not only does it provide you with live road condition information, but it also gives you live weather alerts as well. There are even live cameras you can check out to see exactly how snowy a mountain pass may be or how bad the traffic is in the city. Though not as detailed as within Oregon, the highway condition information even extends to nearby states!
If youre traveling in the wintertime, make sure to pay closer attention to road conditions. Road closures tend to be more common in the wintertime.
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Columbia River Gorge: Essential Tips For Your Trip
- Cell phone service can be spotty in the National Scenic Area, especially if you have T-Mobile as I do. Make sure you download or print out a map of all the falls you want to visit, and take note of their mile markers.
- The CRG and the towns here can get super windy, so dont even think about leaving the house without a windbreaker.
- Check with USFS for the most up-to-date information on trail closures. Many of the trails in the Columbia River Gorge were damaged by recent fires over the years, so before heading out, check to see if your destination/hike is open or not.
- The Columbia River Gorge draws a lot of tourists, especially in the summertime. Start your trip before 9 am to beat the crowds. You can also travel against the grain .
- To really make the most of your time at the Gorge, youll ideally need three days.
- Leave no trace. Respect nature and pack out what you pack in.
- The night before your road trip, pack up water, snacks, and maybe even a picnic lunch for the next day. That way, you can head out quickly once you wake up, get an early start, and have extra hours to experience the Gorge!
Wrap Yourself In History
Our newly renovated wrap you in the adventure that is the Gorge and are inspired by its local culture, both current and past. Native American designs and local photography tell the story of this magnificent destination. Guests find themselves surrounded by authentic elements of the Pacific Northwest in the comforts of a lodge setting.
Our fresh approach connects one to the outdoors, while integrating contemporary touches. Whether you want a simple but spacious room, a suite with private balcony, cozy fireplace, or a view of the awe-inspiring Columbia River View Gorge – you can find it here.
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Welcome To The Columbia Gorge And Hood River
Columbia Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association welcomes you to the majestic Columbia River Gorge. When visiting The Gorge enters your vacation plans, let the Bed and Breakfast Inns of the scenic Columbia Gorge and Hood River area provide all your lodging needs. The 80 miles from Portland to The Dalles is filled with the spectacular scenery along both sides of the majestic Columbia River.
The Columbia Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association members are here to help you make the best choices for your visit to this unique area of the Northwest. The contrasting regions you will read about in our Columbia River Gorge Travel Planner and the mix of cosmopolitan and rustic that is the Northwest might require a little extra guidance and planning. When booking a room in one of our inns you not only get great accommodations but you also get your own personal travel consultant. We live here. We can assist you in making the most of your precious time.
FIND Columbia River Gorge Lodging:
Be Charmed By Our Hood River Hotel With Awe
***Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa will be under construction and remodeling until the end of April 2022 – The hotel, spa, Simon’s Cliffhouse Resturant and Valentino’s Lounge are open during this time. – Please contact us at the Front Desk for any further questions***
Perched atop the majestic cliffs of the Columbia River, Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa has 40 guest accommodations. Facilities include our award-winning Simon’s Cliffhouse Restaurant, the Valentino Lounge, an outdoor terrace for dining or drinks, and meeting space to accommodate up to 130 guests.
River Side and Garden Side Rooms with King, Queen, or double beds are available. Some rooms offer brass or canopy beds, and we also offer deluxe rooms equipped with fireplaces. All accommodations feature limited room service, air conditioning, and 40 flat-panel televisions with cable programming. Morning coffee is available daily in our Lobby.
Guest services include a 24-hour front desk, full-service spa, fax, and copy service, and safety deposit boxes. Four-legged friends under 50 pounds are welcomed in select rooms. Please note that The Columbia Gorge Hotel is a completely non-smoking property.
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