The 80 miles of the Columbia River Gorge’s steep rocky sides offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the world: pounding waterfalls, eagles, century-old trees, ferns, flowers, ancient rocks. This half-day of exploring and meditating on wonders with very short hikes and visits to overlooks and vistas will have you gasping in awe.
We'll visit waterfalls and overlooks, selected by our guides to include both the most iconic, like the unmissable Latourell Falls, a stunning plunge-style falls that is one of the most iconic in Oregon, and the special. Depending on weather conditions, this could include a few small hidden waterfalls and another spectacular plunge-style falls with columnar basalt. We operate rain or shine!
We'll also tell you stories, not just of the geology and botany and the oft-repeated tales of pioneers and road-builders, but also the old stories we've learned, of gods and animal spirits and the Beaver princess tragically turned into a waterfall.
We have recently added pickup service for our waterfall direct product closer to the Columbia Gorge so we can be more transit- and parking-friendly. The departures only are picking up at our locations at the edge of the city. If you will be coming from central Portland, we can assist you in navigating to the start points.
If you’re having trouble selecting one, here are the salient points:
E 181st Ave Park & Ride — Direct connection from the Blue Line MAX train at 181st Avenue Stop, plentiful free parking, nearby the awesome Rico Taco. Closest to airport hotels.
McMenamins Edgefield — if you are staying at this beautiful property or want to dine before or after in one of their garden-adjacent restaurants
Mayors Square Park — parking available and coffee shops nearby, cute central downtown that is most convenient if you are coming in from camping or lodging on Mt Hood, Hood River or other locations in the Columbia Gorge.
Meeting us in Portland before we leave for pickups can work, please reach out.
We look forward to seeing you on the day of your tour! Please note: we are based in PORTLAND, OREGON.
No ticket is necessary; simply provide the booking name at the meeting point.
Waterfall Direct bookers: We have recently added pickup service from locations closer to the Columbia Gorge. These locations are transit friendly and have plenty of parking. If you selected no pickup at booking, we will be contacting you about meeting point to make sure you get to us easily.
Our main east pickup point is the 181st Avenue Park & Ride, 18124 E Burnside, which is easily accessible by the MAX Blue Line and has plentiful free parking. Get off at the 181st Avenue stop and feel free to call us if you are having trouble finding the location.
Other pickup locations include the McMenamin's Edgefield, 2126 Southwest Halsey Street, Troutdale and the Mayor's Square Park, 114 East Historic Columbia River Highway in Troutdale.
Our tour vans begin at our shop at 811 SE Main #107. Meeting here will require an earlier departure. If you have questions, text or call 503-998-3170.
In most of the months of the year but the summer, rain is likely and cooler mornings are expected. Layers (including warm hats, gloves and socks) are suggested if low temperatures are forecast to be cool.
Please call 503-998-3170 or email us at info@aroundportlandtours.com if you have any further questions!
We operate rain or shine.
If we only have just one person booked in total for this tour, we will ask to reschedule, or you can pay for two tickets. We require two people in total for the tour to operate. We will contact you several hours before the tour if this is the case.