Last Updated: June 20, 2026
From Bend, Oregon, we headed northwest toward Mount Hood and then on to Troutdale along the Columbia River Gorge — one of the most dramatic stretches of scenery in the entire Pacific Northwest. The gorge cuts through the Cascade Range for over 80 miles, its walls rising up to 4,000 feet, and the Oregon side alone is home to more than 70 named waterfalls. We only had time for a handful, but they were unforgettable.
Troutdale & the Columbia River Gorge
In Troutdale we stayed at Sandy Riverfront RV Resort — full service with satellite reception, though the sites were tight with little privacy between neighbors. We only needed a short stay: homeownership headaches back in San Diego and some weather complications had compressed our schedule. We were pushing to reach Vermont for fall foliage and then Florida for the winter, so we were moving a bit faster than usual through areas we’d have loved to explore more slowly.
Very close to the RV park is Tad’s Chicken ‘n Dumplings — a Columbia River roadhouse that has been serving since the 1920s. Far from fine dining, Tad’s serves enormous portions of chicken and dumplings with beautiful views over the Sandy River. Sandy spotted their sign from the road and immediately had to revisit childhood memories. They did not disappoint.
Horsetail Falls tumbles 176 feet right off the Historic Columbia River Highway — you can practically park and walk to it. Sadly, many of the connecting hiking trails were still closed due to damage from the devastating 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, which burned more than 50,000 acres of the Columbia River Gorge. The recovery has been remarkable but ongoing.
Bridal Veil Falls was one of our favorites — a short, easy 0.5-mile round-trip trail that is dog-friendly, which made Jake very happy. The falls drop in two tiers through a lush, mossy basalt canyon that stays cool and green even in summer.
Latourell Falls plunges 224 feet over a dramatic face of columnar basalt — the geometric hexagonal columns formed as ancient lava flows cooled slowly. There is a 2.4-mile loop trail that climbs to the top of the upper falls for a completely different perspective.
Multnomah Falls is the crown jewel of the Columbia River Gorge — and justifiably the most visited natural attraction in Oregon. It plunges 620 feet in two tiers, making it the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. The historic Multnomah Falls Lodge at the base was built in 1925 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of its popularity, plan to arrive early — by 9am at the latest in summer — or use the Gorge Express shuttle from Portland.
Mount Hood
On the way northwest from Bend, we detoured up to Timberline Lodge on the south slope of Mount Hood. Mount Hood is Oregon’s highest peak at 11,249 feet — a dormant stratovolcano and the fourth highest peak in the Cascade Range. Late June and substantial snowpack remained, which made for gorgeous views and a brief walk in the snow. Timberline Lodge itself is a stunning example of WPA craftsmanship, built 1936–1937 and a National Historic Landmark.
We stayed at Mount Hood Village RV Resort in Welches — full service with decent wifi, and we managed to pick up satellite signal through the trees. A comfortable base for exploring the entire Mount Hood corridor.
We drove the scenic route around the eastern side of Mount Hood to Hood River — one of the great drives of the Pacific Northwest, with the mountain looming to the west and the Columbia River Gorge opening up ahead.
Hood River is widely considered the kiteboarding and windsurfing capital of the world, funneling powerful and consistent winds through the gorge from spring through fall. Watching the kite surfers from the riverfront was mesmerizing — and looked simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating. Wine tasting at The Pines 1852 was a more sedate pleasure, and a very good one.
Along the way we stopped at Lavender Valley — a working lavender farm with extraordinary views toward Mount Hood across the valley. We came home with lavender linen spray that genuinely delivered on the promise of dream-filled nights.
There was plenty of bear grass along the Mount Hood route — something we hadn’t seen since Glacier National Park. We really enjoyed this area and would love to return to spend more time exploring the local fruit stands, orchards, and wineries of the Hood River Valley — and visit old friends in the area.
Visitor Information
Multnomah Falls is located at Historic Columbia River Highway, Bridal Veil, OR 97010. No admission fee, but a timed vehicle parking reservation is required May–October via recreation.gov ($2 reservation fee). Alternatively, the Gorge Express shuttle runs from Gateway Transit Center in Portland. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: managed by USDA Forest Service; 541-308-1700; fs.usda.gov/crgnsa. Horsetail Falls, Latourell Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls are all free to visit along the Historic Columbia River Highway (US-30). Timberline Lodge: 27500 E Timberline Rd, Government Camp, OR 97028; 503-622-7979; timberlinelodge.com; free to visit the lodge; ski and snowboard operations on Palmer Glacier run year-round. Mount Hood Village RV Resort: 65000 E Hwy 26, Welches, OR 97067; mounthoodvillage.com. The Pines 1852 Winery (Hood River): 202 Cascade Ave, Hood River, OR 97031; thepines1852.com. Lavender Valley: 5965 Hwy 35, Hood River, OR 97031; lavendervly.com; typically open June–August during bloom season.
Practical Tips
Multnomah Falls crowds are real — the parking lot fills before 9am on summer weekends and cars are turned away. Book the timed parking permit in advance on recreation.gov or take the Gorge Express shuttle from Portland to avoid the headache entirely. Check Columbia River Gorge trail conditions before visiting — the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire damaged many trails and some remain closed or rerouted years later; trailkeepers.org has current status. Bring layers on gorge hikes — waterfall spray, deep canyon shade, and Columbia River wind can make it 15–20°F cooler than Portland temperatures even on hot summer days. Timberline Lodge is worth a visit year-round — the WPA stonework and timber craftsmanship are exceptional; the Palmer Glacier above the lodge supports skiing through July most years. Hood River is best for kite sports watching from the Event Site at the Hood River waterfront; the winds are most consistent from late spring through fall. The Hood River Valley Fruit Loop (35 miles) is exceptional in summer and especially in fall harvest season — strawberries and cherries in June, peaches and pears in August, apples and pears in October. Lavender Valley blooms peak typically in late June through July — call ahead to confirm before making a special trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many waterfalls are in the Columbia River Gorge?
The Columbia River Gorge has more than 70 named waterfalls on the Oregon side alone — making it one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in North America. The gorge stretches roughly 80 miles from the Portland metro area east toward The Dalles, with its canyon walls reaching up to 4,000 feet on the Washington side. The waterfalls are fed by the wet western slopes of the Cascades, where annual precipitation can exceed 100 inches. The most famous — Multnomah, Horsetail, Latourell, Bridal Veil, Crown Point, and Wahkeena — are clustered within a 10-mile stretch of the Historic Columbia River Highway, making it easy to visit several in a single day.
What makes Multnomah Falls special?
Multnomah Falls drops 620 feet in two tiers — a 542-foot upper falls and a 69-foot lower falls — separated by a viewing bridge that offers one of the most photographed vantage points in Oregon. It is the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States (only Yosemite Falls is taller among perennial falls). The falls flow year-round because they are fed by underground springs and natural seepage from Larch Mountain above, not just snowmelt. The historic Multnomah Falls Lodge at the base was built in 1925 and houses a restaurant and visitor center. A paved trail switchbacks 1.1 miles to the top of the upper falls for a bird’s-eye view of the gorge.
Is Mount Hood worth visiting in summer?
Absolutely. Mount Hood is spectacular in summer precisely because the contrast between alpine snow and the surrounding greenery is at its most dramatic. Timberline Lodge, the stunning WPA-era National Historic Landmark on the south slope, is open year-round and worth visiting for the architecture alone. Palmer Glacier above the lodge supports skiing and snowboarding through summer, and the June snowpack often lingers at the 6,000-foot level around the lodge. The Mount Hood Scenic Loop drive — circling the mountain through Welches, Hood River, and the valley — is one of the great summer road trips in Oregon, combining mountain views, river gorge scenery, fruit orchards, lavender farms, and wineries in a single day.
What is Hood River, Oregon known for?
Hood River is internationally famous as the kiteboarding and windsurfing capital of the world. The Columbia River Gorge funnels powerful, consistent westerly winds through its canyon, creating ideal conditions for water sports from spring through fall. The Hood River waterfront Event Site is the primary launch area, and the spectacle of dozens of kite surfers and windsurfers on the river is extraordinary even for non-participants. Beyond the water sports, Hood River has developed an excellent food, wine, and craft brewery scene — and the Hood River Valley behind the town is one of Oregon’s most productive agricultural areas, famous for pears, apples, cherries, and increasingly for lavender and wine grapes.
