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On my first road trip to Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, I followed the crowds to the famous Multnomah Falls without realizing I’d only scratched the surface of the area. While the falls are stunning, there’s more to do!
Disclosure: This trip is part of a hosting partnership with Hood-Gorge.com. #hoodcanyon
Luckily, I finally came back and spent 4 days exploring the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood area. This means supporting local communities and going beyond the norm; I’m excited to share my favorite things to do in the greater Columbia River Gorge area Hood Canyon 4-day itinerary!
What to know about Mount Hood + Columbia River Gorge
First, before spending 4 days in the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood, get some background information on the area to get your bearings.
The Columbia River Gorge is a river canyon outside of Portland, Oregon that stretches over 80 miles long! The area along the river is Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Areawhich you can reach by driving along the historic Columbia River Highway.
this is a great USA road tripand West Coast favorites summer travel and autumn leaves! People most often visit the area during the warmer months for hiking, waterfalls, and river adventures, but many people also come to the area for winter mountain sports (skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling), for which the Mount Hood area is ideally suited.
Mount Hood is part of the Grand Columbia River Gorge region and part of the Cascade Mountains. To get the most out of the area, it’s a good idea to explore destinations along the river and In the mountains. what i like 4 days itinerary Below, does it all come together!
How to Get to Mount Hood + Columbia River Gorge
The best way to get to the Hood Canyon area.
drive: If you’re coming from out of town, the best way to get to the Columbia River Gorge is fly Fly to Portland (PDX) and car rental. You also have the option of chartering a driver service (which costs more), shuttle/bus transportation, or carpooling.
- warn: If renting a car, rent a 4×4 vehicle and purchase snow chains during the snowy months. Even in the spring (April) we encountered a snowy road through a valley in the Mount Hood area.
Buses and Shuttles: If you choose the shuttle/bus, you can take the Mount Hood Express from Portland to Mount Hood via the Sandy Transit Center, but you’ll be limited to the popular ski village route. Also, check out Flixbus and Canyon Transportation Available bus routes: Hood River and The Dalles.
ride sharing: For ride-sharing, Oregon also has a unique ride-sharing system called “Getting There Oregon” Here you can coordinate a trip or carpool to the area.
Mount Hood + Columbia River Gorge Attractions (journey)
This four-day itinerary begins with an exploration of the Mount Hood area and ends along the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Day 1: Welcome to Hood Canyon!
On the first of 4 days at Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, you’ll fly into Portland Airport (PDX) and rent a car. I prefer Hertz Car Rental Since I have Gold status through the American Express Platinum Card, the airport offers plenty of rental car options.
Stop in Sandy, Oregon while driving to the Mount Hood area. You can visit here Jonesrud Observation Deck Enjoy the pristine scenery. If the weather is clear, you might even see the snow-capped peaks of Mount Hood!
There I recommend stopping Tollgate Bakery and restaurant for lunch. They are also known for their fresh pies, so I got a classic apple pie. Afterwards, we drove to a village on Mount Hood called Welchs and stayed at our Mount Hood Cabin Village.
Day 2: Explore Mount Hood Village in the Mount Hood Region
The next day we started the day off with a fun guided hike. old salmon river trail and Mount Hood Clothing Store. This hike is a favorite with locals but is still fairly quiet and I found it suitable for beginners.
On the Old Salmon River Trail, you can find meditative moments through mossy forests and along the rushing Salmon River. This hike is just over 3 miles in length with minimal elevation gain.
For food, I love the sausages here Mount Hood Brewing Company lunch and quirky Takano Kitchen Pan-Asian cuisine is served for dinner (served on a refurbished school bus).
Day 3: Estacada Kayaking and Dufour Road Trip
On the third day, we Checked out our little house Go deep into the eastern region. But first, we explored more of Mount Hood; driving to McIver State Park in Estacada Go kayaking and Adventure without limits.
After spending a few hours on Estacada Lake, we drove to Zoborist St., 20 minutes away. Replenish our fuel in one of them dining car. We chose the Pepe’s Tacos and it did not disappoint.
While in the area, put down your tacos and explore local street art with artists Self-guided mural walking tour. There are 20 murals in town within walking distance and you can find them all with your phone Map from Artback Collective.
After exploring Estacada, we begin our journey to the Columbia River Gorge area; the second half of the trip will be Check in to the historic Hotel Balch in Dufour.
- Driving Tips from Estacada to Dufour: Traveling from Estacada to Dufur takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. In mid-April we followed a GPS shortcut through the valley, but it was a mistake. As we boarded OR-211N to connect to US-26, we realized the snow hadn’t been plowed, was icy, and felt unsafe…especially since our rental didn’t have tire chains! Instead, we quickly decided to turn around and take the GPS’s backup route, which was along the Historic River Highway/I-84; beautiful scenery and a better decision!
When you finally reach Dufour, Best dinner place in town Located at the Balch Hotel, so be sure to book when you check in. Bistro 1907.
Day 4: Hike and Taste the East Gorge
Dufour was our base for visiting the valley and we stayed at the historic Hotel Balchi. More details about the hotels we booked can be found below. Due to Dufour’s location we were able to explore towns like this The Dalles While enjoying delicious food with Mosier East Gorge Food Trail. All of my food recommendations for Day 4 are part of this food route. (This is the map)
For brunch I recommend Reeve Cafe At The Dalles, a renovated ultra-modern church; meals like chicken and waffles and eggs Benedict are available. You can use this time after brunch Explore the townwhether walking along the river, browsing the shops, or visiting Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
- notes: Even on warm days it can be windy by the river, so bring a jacket and a hat!
Next to The Dalles is one of my favorite destinations: Mosier! This is the wine country of the canyon and one of the highlights of my 4 days at Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, with great atmosphere and endless views. Here you can have Picnic wine tasting lunch exist Nikko Line Winery.
Their 20-Mile Picnic features only local ingredients from within 20 miles of the vineyard: perfectly paired with wines made with 100% Columbia Gorge fruit. Co-owner Kris gave a guided tour of the property and a personalized pairing. Of course, we also bought some wine to take home (Mencia wine is my favorite).
Get your body moving during Mosier Scenic hike. 3.5 miles of RT near Analemma Mosier Plateau TrailColorful wildflowers bloom along the zigzag path, with the river and rolling mountains as a backdrop. This hike adds a little elevation gain, so bring water and make sure you get some sun exposure. I definitely needed a break!
For dinner, you can stay in town or return to Dufur for dinner at Bistro 1907. Alternatively, you can check to see if the Balch Hotel has dinner specials.
During my trip they hosted a unique Guatemalan winemaker’s dinner Hosted by their in-house chef and co-owner lobos island Brewery (they happen to be brothers). Together with their mother, they curate a beautiful menu of authentic Guatemalan dishes. Tierra de Lobos rosé is my favorite wine, so of course we bought some.
Where to Stay in Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood Territory
As mentioned before, we stayed in two different towns during our 4 days at Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. One was a unique glamping experience and the other was at a historic hotel. Here are the details for your visit:
Welch’s Mount Hood Cabin Village, Oregon: This fun glamping experience in the Mount Hood area gets you away from nature and offers the chance to try tiny house living. Featuring a kitchen, small refrigerator, and full bathroom, it’s a fun stay for the adventurous traveler. This lodging option is close to Mount Hood Village and Old Salmon River Trail hiking.
Historic Balch Hotel in Dufour, Oregon: Travel further into the East Gorge area near The Dalles and experience the antique style and minimalist design of the historic Balch Hotel. While the town of Dufour itself is fairly quiet, it’s only a short drive from The Dalles, making it perfect for foodies on the East Canyon Food Trail.
- Notes for low-impact travelers or accessibility needs: Both of the above options require some form of climbing. The upper bed in the tiny house has a ladder, and the lower bed has a narrow entrance. The Balch Hotel does not have an elevator, so you have to climb stairs to access the rooms. If you have accessibility needs, read on for alternative suggestions.
Columbia River Hotel in Dallas, Oregon: This is a lovely, well-reviewed hotel located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area that is also wheelchair accessible (i.e. no stairs or climbing). this Columbia River Hotel (Ascend Collection) is located in The Dalles so you can explore the area and Easy access to Mosier wine country.
I hope you find this guide and itinerary helpful! Enjoy 4 days at Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge.
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