Private Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Tour
Overview
The 85-mile (137-km) long Columbia Gorge NSA would be a national park if it weren't a critical transportation corridor. It features waterfalls, mountains, monoliths, terraces, resort towns, vineyards, orchards, and The River, harboring a plethora of fish and birds, and unique plants and invertebrates. In the early 1900s, Portlanders would drive their Model T cars along the Columbia River Highway to gaze at waterfalls. It was the first scenic highway built in America. There is said to be over 4000 waterfalls; many are hidden away, but many are just a short hike off the Historic Highway. On this ALL-INCLUSIVE tour you'll explore the western, rainforested, southern side of the Gorge, dubbed "waterfall alley" where we'll have you getting wet under a waterfall, peering over cliffs, and learning stories of the area only the locals know.
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- PA system so people in back can hear their guide
- Snacks
- Gratuities
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Columbia River Highway, State Highway 30 from Troutdale to The Dalles, Troutdale, OR 97060
Your guide will drive you along segments of this stunning 74-mile (119 -km) highway that was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Sandy River, Oregon
We'll parallel the Sandy River while driving the western segment of the Columbia River Highway. The Sandy's headwaters is a glacier on Mt. Hood, and the river is known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. As a result, the Sandy is one of three tributaries of the Columbia who's dams have been removed since 2007.
Stop At: Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, State Highway 30, Troutdale, OR 97060
Here's your chance to capture the quintessential Gorge shot.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Vista House, 40700 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019-9725
This 100-year-old 'fanciest rest stop in the world' sits atop a basalt point above the Columbia River, with a 360-degree balcony. The sandstone, limestone, and marble building includes historical interpretation and fancy restrooms.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Latourell Falls, Guy W. Talbot State Park., Corbett, OR
A short walk from the vehicle reveals a 249-foot hanging waterfall adorned with fluorescent lichen and columnar basalt.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area, State Highway 30, Troutdale, OR 97060
This delightful little cove provides for a hidden surprise and some remarkable pictures.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Bridal Veil Falls State Park, Columbia River Scenic Highwy, Milepost 28, Corbett, OR 97019
An old logging ghost town dating to the 1880s, harboring a waterfall, an operating post office, and a circa-1920s B & B.
Pass By: Wahkeena Falls, Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, OR
A short switch-back trail through Hemlock and Doug-fir leads to a bridge at the base of the falls.
Stop At: Multnomah Falls, 53000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Bridal Veil, OR 97010
The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Oneonta Gorge, Cascade Locks, OR 97014
A slot canyon created by a fault, with plants growing on the walls found nowhere else.
Stop At: Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge, Columbia Gorge Map link, Hood River, OR
Get some quirky photos at this quirky waterfall!
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: State Route 14 in Beacon Rock State Park, North Bonneville, WA
View the fifth-largest free-standing monolith in the world, from a distance.
Pass By: Rooster Rock State Park, Interstate 84 East, Corbett, OR 97019
As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America's oldest continuously running nudist beach!
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Columbia River Highway, State Highway 30 from Troutdale to The Dalles, Troutdale, OR 97060
Your guide will drive you along segments of this stunning 74-mile (119 -km) highway that was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Sandy River, Oregon
We'll parallel the Sandy River while driving the western segment of the Columbia River Highway. The Sandy's headwaters is a glacier on Mt. Hood, and the river is known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. As a result, the Sandy is one of three tributaries of the Columbia who's dams have been removed since 2007.
Stop At: Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, State Highway 30, Troutdale, OR 97060
Here's your chance to capture the quintessential Gorge shot.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Vista House, 40700 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019-9725
This 100-year-old 'fanciest rest stop in the world' sits atop a basalt point above the Columbia River, with a 360-degree balcony. The sandstone, limestone, and marble building includes historical interpretation and fancy restrooms.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Latourell Falls, Guy W. Talbot State Park., Corbett, OR
A short walk from the vehicle reveals a 249-foot hanging waterfall adorned with fluorescent lichen and columnar basalt.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area, State Highway 30, Troutdale, OR 97060
This delightful little cove provides for a hidden surprise and some remarkable pictures.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Bridal Veil Falls State Park, Columbia River Scenic Highwy, Milepost 28, Corbett, OR 97019
An old logging ghost town dating to the 1880s, harboring a waterfall, an operating post office, and a circa-1920s B & B.
Pass By: Wahkeena Falls, Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, OR
A short switch-back trail through Hemlock and Doug-fir leads to a bridge at the base of the falls.
Stop At: Multnomah Falls, 53000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Bridal Veil, OR 97010
The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Oneonta Gorge, Cascade Locks, OR 97014
A slot canyon created by a fault, with plants growing on the walls found nowhere else.
Stop At: Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge, Columbia Gorge Map link, Hood River, OR
Get some quirky photos at this quirky waterfall!
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: State Route 14 in Beacon Rock State Park, North Bonneville, WA
View the fifth-largest free-standing monolith in the world, from a distance.
Pass By: Rooster Rock State Park, Interstate 84 East, Corbett, OR 97019
As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America's oldest continuously running nudist beach!
Additional information
- Infant seats available
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Stroller accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Not wheelchair accessible
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Poss52
August 2022
Brittany, our driver, was a pleasant and well-informed guide. She was prompt, and was flexible when a couple of other passengers needed extra time at Multnomah Falls. I very much appreciated the willingness to pick up/drop off at the Edgefield Hotel, although they do specify a downtown Portland ...
Brittany, our driver, was a pleasant and well-informed guide. She was prompt, and was flexible when a couple of other passengers needed extra time at Multnomah Falls. I very much appreciated the willingness to pick up/drop off at the Edgefield Hotel, although they do specify a downtown Portland pickup. Since we had not rented a car for our short visit, this would have been a deal breaker for us. I'd been to Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge before but my daughter had not. She really enjoyed the tour and was impressed with the beauty of the area.