youngtom2910

what is the prettiest part of this gorge? any suggestions about a place to stay/

any suggestions of special places to stay on the oregon cost

GoTravel

I know this isn't answering your question but a friend of mine used to windsurf on the Columbia River Gorge and all he could talk about was how beautiful it is.

At least this will get your post back up to the top.

jaye

I think Go Travel might be referring to Hood River. That is an interesting area and it is very pretty with all the windsurfing going on.
youngtom- you might want to click Oregon and then type some key words like Columbia River, Columbia River Gorge, etc. and see what other messages have been posted in the past.

We stayed in the Cannon Beach area and it is just gorgeous up there. You can't go wrong with OR. Have fun.

karens

The Columbia River Gorge is one of my favorite places in the country! I think the western area, closest to Portland is so pretty - all the waterfalls. My favorites are Latourell Falls, Punchbowl Falls and Oneonta Gorge. Latourell you can view from the scenic highway, and a very short walk takes you to the base of the falls. Punchbowl Falls is located along the Eagle Creek Trail, a 4 mile round trip hike. This hike is very scenic, and you pass another pretty waterfall on the way. The Oneonta Gorge has a waterfall that you have to wade upstream in a side creek to see. (In the summer, the water was once up to my stomach, but I'm only 5'2" - and that was only in one short place). The falls are surrounded by ferns and lush foliage - very tropical looking. I think I read somewhere that certain plants are found in this gorge that are found nowhere else in the world. And of course, there's Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall of the bunch, and easily accessible right along the highway. There are lots of side hikes to other waterfalls, and they are all pretty. One, I think it is called Horsetail or Ponytail Falls, you can walk behind.

We stayed in the Columbia River Hotel, I think it was called. Very pretty landscaped grounds, and a very good, big breakfast.

Have fun! It's a beautiful area.

gplimpton

I don't think there is a prettiest part. I think the drive from Portland is worthwhile almost all the way to the Dalles. Check out the Skamania Lodge on the Washington side.

melinca

I agree with previous postings that the Hood River portion is great. I stayed at the Best Western Hood River Inn, it is right on the river and really convenient to the whole area of the gorge. I recommend driving across the Columbia to the Washington state side, the scenery is gorgeous and it is less developed than the Oregon side. You should also partake of Mt Hood and other attractions nearby. You cannot go wrong in Oregon no matter where you travel. To the posting that mentioned Cannon Beach, I must concur wholeheartedly! I stayed over the July 4th holiday at the Stephanie Inn right on the beach, and it was fabulous. Let me know if you need more Or info, as my parents retired there so I have had lots of visits to get familiar with much of the state.

Happy travels.

SaraLM

I think most people prefer the greener end of the Gorge, from Portland to about The Dalles. However, if you drive just a bit further it can be fascinating how quickly the environment changes and becomes so dry. Be sure you take the old highway (just outside of Troutdale). It is so pretty, curvy and slow but worth it. We didn't have time to do any of the longer hikes mentioned and still saw lots of waterfalls and beautiful spaces. We did drive back on the Washington side. It is less developed but it also doesn't have as much to see. I also really enjoyed the dam and the sturgeon.

Personally, Hood River is about as far east as I would go. Hood River is a fun place to stay with a cute downtown, some good restaurants and nice places to stay. There are lots of B&Bs in Hood River in old Victorian homes if that is your thing. Lots of people enjoy the Columbia River Hotel but it isn't cheap. Hood River offers the best choices to stay in the Gorge.

Mt. Hood is also pretty and Timberline Lodge is beautiful though rustic if you choose to stay there. Some say shabby, I say old and well loved it isn't 5 star.

As for the coast almost anywhere is pretty. I assume you want to stay closer to Portland/the Gorge. As mentioned Cannon Beach is highly recommended by many people. I always stay in Newport so I can't recommend any other places specifically but there have been many places posted before if you do a search.

Enjoy!

Gardyloo

Going eastbound from Portland, be sure to use the "historic" Gorge Highway, set up above the freeway and train tracks. It runs between Troutdale and Bonneville Dam (ends a little west), then from Hood River to The Dalles; you use I-84 between.

I'd actually recommend you take the old road as far as Cascade Locks, then cross the Bridge of the Gods and continue east on the Washington side as far as the jct. with US 97. The north shore is more scenic along this stretch (gives views of Mt. Hood that are obscured on the Oregon side) and this route also allows you to stop at the Maryhill Museum (home of the promoter of the Gorge highway, converted to a museum with fascinating exhibits including many of Rodin's plaster studies for his great bronze works.)

Have a look at www.mcmenamins.com - their Edgefield hotel/winery/brewery/golf/cinema complex in Troutdale is a blast. The trip out to The Dalles via Goldendale and back on the freeway is a great day trip.

Much of the north Oregon coast is pretty; Cannon Beach probably the most artsy, Seaside for taffey and arcades, Depoe/Newport/Yachats for rocks, surf, motels, Tillamook for cheese and icecream, and Lincoln City for strip malls and more strip malls. I'd suggest the Newport area over the others, although there's certainly enough to see in Cannon Beach, which is closer. You might also have a look at Ilwaco and Long Beach, Washington, across the mouth of the Columbia from Astoria.

BTilke

You might be able to take an antique bi-plane ride over the Gorge--a unique way to see it! The flights were run from a little private airfield in Vancouver, WA. We took a few visitors on those rides and they were great (and cheap--cost us about $30 for a half hour ride--I've seen bi-plane rides sold for as much as $150 for the same length). The pilots are certified flight instructors and you fly along a level path at the lowest legal altitude.
I'll check with some friends in Vancouver to see if the rides are still available.

kimamom

The Columbia Gorge Hotel is excellent. We stayed there a couple of summers ago and will definitely return. The farm country breakfast is hands down the best breakfast I have ever had. The grounds are just beautiful with bridges, ponds, etc. Our room was rather small but our stay was very memorable. ***kim***

Patrick

Is the Columbia Gorge Hotel the pretty little place where at breakfast they make a big deal about pouring syrup from about 3 feet above the table? If so, yes it was a very nice little hotel, and the breakfast was good, high pouring syrup or not.

kimamom

Yes it is!! I think they do that to mimic Multnomah Falls! My three kids still remember that breakfast from when they were there! The hotel also allowed our Vizlsa to stay in our room and made some table scraps for her wrapped in foil the shape of a dog. The staff is very friendly and we will definitley return! ***kim***