The Columbia River Gorge is a marvel of ecological diversity and unrivaled beauty, with a rich and often painful history. It’s been “protected” since the 1980s from certain development, but that followed dramatic alterations of its landscape. Today, ﬁnd treasured treks in recovering forests, buzzing towns with bustling economies, destination-worthy food and drink, and more—all in Portland’s backyard.

Photograph of Meyer State Park at Rowena Crest courtesy Trevor Wert/Shutterstock

In This Feature:

Where to Eat, Stay & Play Closest to Portland in the Columbia River Gorge

1920s-era spring-fed bathhouses, piled-high soft serve, and waterfalls galore.

03/17/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Conner Reed, and Julia Silverman

The Bridal Veil Post Office Celebrates 135 Years

Every year this Oregon ghost town post office sees a flood of wedding invitations from couples hoping to secure a Bridal Veil postmark, helping keep the historic building alive.

03/17/2022 By Gabriel Granillo

What We Can Learn 5 Years After the Eagle Creek Fire

The US Forest Service’s Stan Hinatsu on how the historic 2017 fire changed the landscape of the Gorge

03/17/2022 By Gabriel Granillo

Where to Eat, Stay & Play in Hood River, White Salmon & Bingen

Separated by a toll bridge, these 3 towns are easy to explore together.

03/17/2022 By Gabriel Granillo and Julia Silverman

Shop Stops in the Columbia River Gorge

Hood River’s Oak Street and its counterparts in Bingen and White Salmon make these connected Gorge towns a stealth shopping destination.

03/11/2022 By Gabriel Granillo, Margaret Seiler, and Julia Silverman

Where to Eat, Stay & Play in Mosier, The Dalles & the Eastern Gorge

Wildflower treks, top-notch wineries & sweeping orchards as far as the eye can see

03/17/2022 By Matt Wastradowski

The Day The Dalles Dam Silenced Celilo Falls

“I'm trying to use a careful word, not using the ‘genocide’ word, but to me that's what it was. That's what the Celilo loss means: we've lost longevity.”

03/09/2022 By Gabriel Granillo