Oregon · the United States

Portland and the Columbia River Gorge

Portland, the largest city in Oregon, with gardens, bridges and neighborhoods known for good food, and to the east the Columbia River Gorge, with waterfalls like Multnomah Falls and Mount Hood in the background.

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In the photo: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Portland is in northern Oregon, where the Willamette River meets the Columbia, about 100 km from the Pacific. It is the state’s largest city and should not be confused with Portland, Maine, on the other side of the country. The downtown is compact, crossed by bridges, and has light rail and streetcars that make life easier for those without a car.

The city is known for its parks and gardens, such as Washington Park, which includes the test rose garden and the Japanese Garden, and Lan Su, a Chinese garden in the old downtown. The neighborhoods of the Pearl District, Alberta and Hawthorne concentrate cafés, craft breweries, food carts and bookstores. Mount Hood, a snow-capped volcano, appears on the horizon on clear days.

To the east begins the Columbia River Gorge, a gorge more than 120 km long carved by the river between Oregon and the State of Washington. The old Historic Columbia River Highway passes viewpoints and a sequence of waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. In the middle of the gorge is Hood River, a town of orchards and wind sports on the river, about an hour from Mount Hood.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Portland, Hood River.

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The cities on this trip

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Where Portland and the Columbia River Gorge is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Portland and the Columbia River Gorge

✈ Portland International Airport (PDX) · 15 km to Portland

Portland International Airport (PDX) receives flights from across the country and some international flights. Amtrak trains arrive at Union Station, downtown. For the gorge and Mount Hood, renting a car is the most practical option; there are buses and organized tours to the waterfalls.

Suggested arrival point: Portland

Oregon · Portland and the Columbia River Gorge Suggested arrival point

Portland

Largest city in Oregon, located between the Willamette and Columbia rivers. Washington Park houses the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden; in the Old Town you’ll find the Lan Su Chinese Garden, and on the hills the Pittock Mansion offers views over the city. Neighborhoods such as the Pearl District and Hawthorne have cafés, breweries, and food carts.

Oregon · Portland and the Columbia River Gorge

Hood River

Town in the middle of the Columbia River Gorge, surrounded by apple and pear orchards, known for windsurfing and kitesurfing on the Columbia River. It is the base for the waterfalls on the west side of the gorge, like Multnomah Falls, for the Vista House viewpoint and for Mount Hood, about an hour to the south.

The local experience

Things to do in Portland and the Columbia River Gorge

Portland · Oregon · Gardens

International Rose Test Garden

A rose garden in Washington Park, with thousands of rose bushes of hundreds of varieties and views of downtown Portland and, on clear days, Mount Hood.

Hood River · Oregon · Waterfall

Multnomah Falls

A two-tier waterfall about 190 meters high in the Columbia River Gorge, the tallest in Oregon, with a stone bridge between the falls and a trail to the top.

Portland · Oregon · Gardens

Portland Japanese Garden

A Japanese garden on the slopes of Washington Park, with ponds, waterfalls, a sand garden, and a cultural center; considered one of the reference examples of the style outside Japan.

Hood River · Oregon · Viewpoint

Vista House (Crown Point)

A 1918 stone building atop Crown Point, above the Columbia River, with an overlook and information center at the start of the corridor of waterfalls.

See 3 more places in Portland and the Columbia River Gorge

Portland · Oregon · Gardens

Lan Su Chinese Garden

A walled Chinese garden in Portland’s Old Town, in the Suzhou style, with a pond, pavilions, bridges, and a tea house.

Hood River · Oregon · Mountain

Mount Hood

Snow‑capped volcano, 3,429 meters high, the highest point in Oregon, with ski areas, trails and mountain lakes about an hour from Hood River and from Portland.

Portland · Oregon · Historic house

Pittock Mansion

A 1914 mansion in Portland’s West Hills, open as a museum, with period furnishings and views of the city and the Cascade Range volcanoes.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From June to September the days are usually dry and mild, the best time for hiking in the gorge and on Mount Hood. From October to May it rains frequently in Portland, but the waterfalls usually have more water in spring. Snow on Mount Hood typically lasts from December to April.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days allow you to see downtown, the gardens of Washington Park and one food neighborhood. With three or four days, you can travel the gorge with its waterfalls, sleep in Hood River and go up Mount Hood.

Which city to stay in

In Portland, downtown and the Pearl District are close to transit and the gardens; the east side of the river, like Hawthorne and Alberta, has a neighborhood feel. Hood River is the base for the gorge and Mount Hood. There are also inns and cabins in the Mount Hood area.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Portland and the Columbia River Gorge

How many days to stay in Portland and the Columbia River Gorge?

Two days are enough for Portland. For the gorge, its waterfalls and Mount Hood, add one or two days, preferably with an overnight in Hood River.

Do you need a car in Portland?

In the city, no: light rail, streetcars and buses connect downtown with the neighborhoods and the airport. For the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood, a car gives more freedom, although there are buses and tours to the waterfalls.

Can you go from Portland to Multnomah Falls as a day trip?

Yes. The waterfall is about 50 km from downtown, roughly 40 minutes by car. In summer, those arriving by car on the I-84 highway need a timed-entry permit; check before you go.

What is the best time to visit Portland?

From June to September, when it usually rains little and the days are long. The roses at Washington Park typically bloom between May and September. In autumn and winter it rains more, and the snow season on Mount Hood begins.

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Portland and the Columbia River Gorge

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip