Portland may be the largest city in Oregon, but there are plenty of opportunities for visitors to leave the urban sprawl behind and enjoy the great outdoors. On this invigorating private half-day excursion, you can immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Columbia River Gorge accompanied by a knowledgeable private guide.
On this private Half-Day trip, you will:
- Enjoy convenient round-trip transportation to and from your hotel in central Portland;
- Trace the natural boundary between Oregon and Washington State created by the Columbia River;
- Cruise along Columbia River Highway, the first scenic highway built in America;
- Explore the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area;
- Visit Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon;
- Take in the views at the Vista House observatory;
- Marvel at Beacon Rock, the fifth-largest free-standing monolith in the world;
- Admire the natural phenomena of Latourell Falls;
- Capture great photos at the most picturesque viewpoints in the area;
- Learn fascinating stories about the region from a local.
Located along the border of Oregon and Washington in the Pacific Northwest, Columbia River Gorge is home to some of the most impressive waterfalls in the United States. The gorge itself is a natural canyon of the Columbia River, and its unique geography, with cliffs and forested areas, creates ideal conditions for numerous breathtaking waterfalls. Many of these waterfalls are accessible via scenic drives, hiking trails, and viewpoints along the historic Columbia River Highway, so they are well worth a day trip from Portland.
Your excursion will begin from your hotel in the city center, where your driver-guide will pick you up and head east towards the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This area of outstanding natural beauty, which is thought to contain over 4000 waterfalls, would be a National Park if it were not such an important transport corridor. It is nevertheless an enticing attraction, as visitors flock to see its waterfalls, mountains, vineyards, and the eponymous Columbia River with its myriad of interesting flora and fauna. Your tour will focus on the south side of the Gorge, known as “Waterfall Alley.”
Once you leave Portland, your guide will drive you along segments of the Historic Columbia River Highway that was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps. As you head along the western segment of the highway, your route will parallel the stunning Sandy River, known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. You will make a requisite photo stop at the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint. This is an ideal place to capture the quintessential Gorge shot, thanks to its unparalleled vistas of Crown Point (including the Vista House) and the Columbia River below. We will then pay a visit to the celebrated Vista House, an iconic observatory and rest stop that boasts incredible panoramic views of the Columbia River and the surrounding landscape. Dubbed the "fanciest rest stop in the world," the building was completed in 1918 and is a fine example of Art Noveau architecture.
The first waterfall we encounter up close will be Lautorell Falls. Located within Guy W. Talbot State Park, this hanging waterfall stands just shy of 250 feet tall. Unlike other waterfalls in the area, it dramatically plunges straight down from an overhanging basalt cliff. After a short, scenic walk to the falls, we will observe extraordinary examples of columnar basalt formations as well as eye-catching fluorescent lichen. We will proceed to Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area for some wonderful photo ops and a special surprise.
After passing by Bridal Veil Falls State Park, which houses an old logging ghost town, we will arrive at the most anticipated destination: the spectacular Multnomah Falls. This waterfall is not only the tallest and most famous in Oregon but also one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States. We will observe its striking two-tier drop as well as the beautiful Benson Bridge that lies between the two cascades.
Your driver will take you past the idyllic Oneonta Gorge before stopping for pictures at the aptly named Horsetail Falls. Falling over another basalt cliff, you will admire the graceful, slender cascade that draws many travelers to the area. Before returning to the city, you will see Beacon Rock, the fifth-largest free-standing monolith in the world, as well as the infamous Rooster Rock, a volcanic basalt column that was shaped by the immense forces of the Missoula Floods during the Ice Age.
Once your tour comes to a close, your driver-guide will return you to your hotel or a location of your choice in Central Portland, where you will end your time together with a deep appreciation for the nature of the Pacific Northwest and plenty of photos to remember your day out.