If you’re visiting Portland, Oregon, and have an extra day, I highly recommend taking a road trip through the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River Valley. From stunning waterfalls and scenic overlooks to beautiful orchards, vineyards and charming small towns, this is one of the prettiest areas of Oregon. I really wish we would have had more time there.
While the Columbia River Gorge was beautiful, it was the Hood River Valley that really stole my heart. Holy cow, was it gorgeous! Here’s a look at our day trip, the stops we made and some additional places worth visiting if you have more time.
Driving from Portland to the Columbia River Gorge
One of the best things about visiting the Columbia River Gorge is how close it is to Portland. Depending on where you’re staying, you can reach the western end of the gorge in approximately 30-40 minutes.
The Historic Columbia River Highway is a beautiful drive with plenty of places to stop. You’ll want to allow extra time because there are numerous scenic viewpoints, waterfalls and hiking opportunities along the way. Our first stops were at a couple of overlooks where we enjoyed some fantastic views of the Columbia River.
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
Our first stop was the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, sometimes referred to as the Women’s Forum Viewpoint. This is a great place to stop for your first look at the Columbia River Gorge. The views are spectacular, with the river stretching out below and the historic Vista House perched on a bluff in the distance. It’s also an excellent place to take photos. You don’t need to spend much time here, but it’s worth pulling over to enjoy the scenery.
Vista House at Crown Point
Our next stop was Vista House at Crown Point, one of the most recognizable landmarks along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Perched high above the Columbia River, Vista House offers incredible panoramic views of the gorge.
The building itself is also worth seeing. Built in 1918, it features beautiful architecture and was designed as a scenic rest stop for travelers. Inside, there’s a small historical exhibition in the lower level that provides information about the area and the history of the highway. I enjoyed walking through it and learning a little more about the gorge. But really, the views are what makes you want to visit this place.
One annoyance, however, was the parking payment process. You had to scan a QR code to pay, and Apple Pay wasn’t available. Seriously? For a tourist attraction where people are stopping briefly, you’d think they’d make paying as easy as possible. It was unnecessarily inconvenient. Despite that, Vista House is definitely worth a visit.
Suggested time: 20-40 minutes, depending on how much time you spend enjoying the views and exploring the building.
Waterfalls Along the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is famous for its waterfalls, and there are plenty to see. The most famous is Multnomah Falls, which plunges more than 600 feet and is one of Oregon’s most popular attractions. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to visit it.
Because we decided at the last minute to take this day trip, we hadn’t made advance arrangements for parking. During our visit, timed-entry reservations were required for the main parking area, so we decided to skip it. We did drive by, and it was extremely crowded. I’m sure it’s spectacular, but with so many people around, I wasn’t terribly disappointed that we didn’t stop.
Instead, we found a place to park along the road just before Horsetail Falls and set off to explore, and what a wonderful surprise that turned out to be. That was called Oneonta Gorge.
A Magical Walk Near Horsetail Falls
This ended up being one of my favorite parts of our visit to the Columbia River Gorge. We parked along the road and walked through a tunnel to reach the waterfall area. We didn’t do the full hike, but we still enjoyed some beautiful scenery. The waterfalls were lovely, but what I enjoyed even more was the lush, green landscape surrounding them. It was absolutely magical. The moss-covered trees, ferns and dense greenery made it feel like we had stepped into another world. I kept thinking about the movie Avatar or FernGully. Everything was so green and beautiful.
One thing that did disappoint me, however, was seeing litter around the waterfalls. It’s such a beautiful natural area, and it’s really unfortunate that some visitors don’t take better care of it. If you visit, please take your trash with you.
Suggested time: Allow 30–60 minutes for a shorter walk, or longer if you plan to hike.
Cascade Locks: A Relaxing Stop Along the River
After enjoying the waterfalls, we continued east to Cascade Locks, a small town along the Columbia River. We stopped at a waterfront park and enjoyed a nice walk along the river. It was a peaceful place to stretch our legs and enjoy the scenery before continuing our drive.
Cascade Locks is also home to the Bridge of the Gods, a historic bridge connecting Oregon and Washington. It’s an impressive sight and one of the area’s well-known landmarks. If you have additional time, Cascade Locks has several other attractions, including the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, which offers sightseeing cruises on the river when operating. We didn’t spend a tremendous amount of time here, but it made for a pleasant stop.
Suggested time: 30–60 minutes for a walk, or longer if you want to explore the town or take a river cruise.
Hood River Valley: The Highlight of Our Day Trip
Now for my favorite part of the day. After leaving Cascade Locks, we continued toward Hood River and the surrounding valley. All I can say is WOW. I absolutely loved this area. In fact, I wish we had planned to spend a night or two here instead of returning to Portland. The countryside is gorgeous, with rolling hills, beautiful vineyards, orchards and farms. Everywhere we looked, there was something pretty to see.
The orchards were especially spectacular. There was something about seeing all those fruit trees stretching across the countryside that made me want to stop at every farm. If you enjoy scenic drives, farm stands, wineries or simply spending time in beautiful countryside, I think you’ll love Hood River Valley.
Visiting Grateful Vineyards
One of our stops in Hood River Valley was Grateful Vineyards, a beautiful vineyard and farm with a relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous surroundings. This is a popular place, and it was packed when we visited.
The property is known for its views of Mount Hood, but unfortunately, it had just rained and the clouds were blocking the mountain. I’m sure the views would have been spectacular on a clear day. We ordered a glass of cider, which was OK, but the real reason to visit is the setting. There were beautiful sunflowers, and we enjoyed walking through the sunflower field. It was such a lovely experience.
The vineyard also serves pizza, which looked really good. We didn’t eat there, but plenty of people were enjoying food and drinks while taking in the scenery.
One thing I was especially excited about was the apple cider donuts. During fall weekends, they offer these seasonal treats, but unfortunately, they had sold out by the time we arrived. I was so disappointed! They sounded delicious. If you’re visiting during the fall, I’d recommend getting there earlier in the day if you’re hoping to try them. Even without the donuts or views of Mount Hood, we enjoyed our stop. It’s a beautiful place to relax and spend some time outdoors.
Picking Fruit in Hood River Valley
One of the things I enjoyed most about our visit was walking through an orchard and picking fresh fruit. We picked two pears and a peach, and they were delicious. There’s something so enjoyable about wandering among the fruit trees and choosing your own fruit. The orchards were beautiful, and it made for such a memorable experience.
They even had an area where you could pick stems of flowers. How awesome is that?! Hood River Valley has numerous orchards and farms, many offering seasonal activities such as fruit picking, farm stands and special fall events. If you’re visiting in late summer or early fall, I highly recommend making time for at least one orchard visit. Just be aware that the availability of fruit picking depends on the season, weather and individual farm. Not every orchard allows visitors to pick their own fruit, so check before heading out.
The Hood River Fruit Loop
One of the best ways to explore the valley is by following the Hood River Fruit Loop, a scenic route through the area’s orchards, farms, wineries and cideries. The loop covers approximately 35 miles and connects numerous agricultural businesses throughout the valley.
Depending on the time of year, you can find fresh cherries, peaches, pears, apples, berries, flowers and other locally grown products. There are also wineries, cider tasting rooms, bakeries and farm stands. I wish we had allowed more time to explore the Fruit Loop. There were so many places I would have loved to stop. Even if you aren’t particularly interested in picking fruit, the drive itself is worth doing. The scenery is beautiful, and on a clear day, you may be treated to incredible views of Mount Hood.
Other Things to Do in Hood River Valley
While we only had time for a few stops, there are plenty of other things to do in the area.
Explore downtown Hood River. The town has a charming downtown with shops, restaurants, breweries and tasting rooms. It’s also located along the Columbia River, making it a nice place to walk around and enjoy the scenery.
Enjoy wine or cider tasting. There are several wineries and cideries throughout the valley. Many have beautiful outdoor seating areas with views of the orchards or mountains.
Visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum. If you enjoy aviation or vintage vehicles, this museum near Hood River is worth considering. It features an extensive collection of historic airplanes, automobiles and other transportation-related exhibits.
Go hiking. The Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood area have numerous hiking trails, ranging from relatively easy walks to more challenging mountain hikes.
Explore Mount Hood. If you have additional time, you could continue toward Mount Hood for more scenic drives, hiking and mountain views. It’s another beautiful area of Oregon worth exploring.
How Much Time Do You Need for the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River Valley?
You can absolutely visit both areas in one day from Portland, as we did. However, I would recommend getting an early start.
Here’s approximately how much driving time to expect:
| Route | Approximate Drive Time |
| Portland to Vista House | 30–40 minutes |
| Vista House to Horsetail Falls area | 20–30 minutes |
| Horsetail Falls to Cascade Locks | 20–25 minutes |
| Cascade Locks to Hood River | 20–25 minutes |
| Hood River to the southern Fruit Loop area | 15–30 minutes |
| Hood River to Portland via I-84 | 1–1.25 hours |
These are approximate driving times and don’t include stops, traffic or time spent exploring the Fruit Loop.
For a day trip, I’d recommend allowing at least 8-10 hours if you want to enjoy the waterfalls, stop at scenic viewpoints and spend some meaningful time in Hood River Valley.
If you’re planning to do longer hikes or visit multiple wineries and orchards, you’ll want even more time. I think the ideal way to visit would be to spend one day exploring the Columbia River Gorge and another full day in Hood River Valley. I’d like to return and spend a few nights in the Hood River area.
Tips for Planning Your Day Trip
- Check parking and timed-entry requirements. Multnomah Falls can require advance reservations during certain periods. Don’t assume you can simply show up and park.
- Start early. The popular viewpoints and waterfall parking areas can fill quickly.
- Take the Historic Columbia River Highway. It’s much more scenic than simply staying on Interstate 84.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Even if you aren’t planning a long hike, you’ll likely want to explore some of the trails and viewpoints.
- Check farm hours and seasonal offerings. Fruit picking, flowers and treats such as cider donuts aren’t available year-round.
- Don’t count on seeing Mount Hood. The mountain can be hidden by clouds, as it was during our visit.
- Allow more time than you think you’ll need. There are so many beautiful places to stop, and you won’t want to rush.
If you’re visiting Portland and enjoy beautiful scenery, waterfalls, orchards and charming countryside, put the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River Valley on your itinerary.
