Columbia River Gorge Cruise Stops
West to east through the Gorge: the falls, viewpoints, museums and towns.
Get Columbia River Cruise QuotesThe Classic Columbia River Gorge Cruise Stops
From west to east, these are the sights that Columbia River Gorge cruise stops are built around. Which ones you visit depends on the line and the departure.
Multnomah Falls
The best-known waterfall in Oregon, a two-tier drop with a footbridge between the tiers, reached on the Historic Columbia River Highway. See the U.S. Forest Service Multnomah Falls page.
Vista House at Crown Point
A 1918 stone observatory on a cliff above the river, with the classic view up the Gorge.
Bonneville Lock and Dam
The first lock upstream from the sea; fish ladders and viewing windows, and the neighboring hatchery.
Stevenson and Beacon Rock
On the Washington shore: the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum and the huge volcanic plug of Beacon Rock.
Hood River
Windsurfing and kiteboarding capital, orchards and wineries with Mount Hood behind the town.
The Dalles
Historic river town, murals, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and the dam that drowned Celilo Falls.
Maryhill
On the Washington bluffs: the Maryhill Museum of Art and a full-size Stonehenge war memorial.
Waterfalls and Viewpoints
Multnomah Falls is the headliner, but the Historic Columbia River Highway links several falls within a short drive, and the viewpoints at Crown Point and Rowena Crest show the river at its most dramatic. On the drier eastern side, wildflowers carpet the plateau in spring.
Trails can be steep and wet; excursion descriptions usually note the walking involved. If you want an easier day, the museums at Stevenson, The Dalles and Maryhill make a good alternative.
Wind, Weather and the Best Seats
The Gorge is a natural wind tunnel between the wet coast and the dry interior, which is why Hood River draws windsurfers. On deck that means a jacket even on sunny days. For the best photographs, watch from the bow as the boat approaches Bonneville and the cliffs close in, and look south for the falls streaking down the Oregon walls. Mount Hood appears to the south and Mount Adams to the north on clear days east of Hood River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Columbia River Gorge cruise stops the same on every sailing?
No. Lines vary the order and some calls depending on the departure, water levels and events ashore. Multnomah Falls, The Dalles and Hood River appear on most Gorge itineraries, but always check the specific sailing.
Will my cruise stop at Multnomah Falls?
Most Columbia River Gorge cruise itineraries include a visit, usually by coach, because the falls sit a short drive from the river on the Oregon side. Check your departure’s excursion list.
Can I see salmon at Bonneville?
Bonneville Lock and Dam has fish ladders with underwater viewing windows, and the neighboring hatchery is a popular stop. What you see depends on the season’s fish runs.
Find a Cruise With the Stops You Want
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check which Gorge stops each departure includes and send free quotes.
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