Places to Explore

• Cascade Locks

  In pioneer days, boats needing to pass the bedeviling rapids near the town of Cascade Locks had to portage around them. The locks that gave the town its name were completed in 1896, allowing waterborne... (more)

• The Dalles

  The Dalles lies on a crescent bend of the Columbia River where the river narrows and once spilled over a series of rapids, creating a flagstone effect. French voyagers christened it dalle, or "flagstone."... (more)

• Government Camp

  Government Camp, an alpine resort village, has a fair number of hotels and restaurants. It's a convenient drive from here to Mt. Hood's five ski resorts or to Welches, which has restaurants and a resort... (more)

• Gresham

  Gresham was founded in the mid-1800s by westward-bound pioneers who cut a trail in the wilderness as they descended Mt. Hood. Today it remains a well-traveled passageway between the Columbia River Gorge... (more)

• Hood River

  For years, the incessant easterly winds blowing through the town of Hood River were nothing more than a nuisance. Then somebody bolted a sail to a surfboard, waded into the fat part of the gorge, and a... (more)

• Mt. Hood

  Majestically towering 11,245 feet above sea level, Mt. Hood is what remains of the original north wall and rim of a volatile crater. Although the peak no longer spews ash or fire, active steam vents can... (more)

• Multnomah Falls

• Oneonta Gorge

• Stevenson, Washington

  ... (more)

• Troutdale

  Troutdale is known for its great fishing spots, as well as antiques stores and the Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets. Continuing eastward, as the gorge widens, is the 22-mi-long Historic Columbia River Highway,... (more)

• Welches and Zigzag

  Welches' claim to fame is that it was the site of Oregon's first golf course, built at the base of Mt. Hood in 1928. And another golf course is still going strong today.... Find restaurants, gas stations... (more)