D
Gorgous Gorge falls
Beautiful scenery with many beautiful falls. Great. Knowledge friendly guide. Very well paced and fun
Operator response
Glad you enjoyed it, Dawn!
Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour
+46 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3–4 hours
- Price from
- $89 / person
- Location
- Portland, United States
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 40 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 14
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Within 24h
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Terran Travels
- Meeting point
- Director Park (1 city block, 200 ft/61 m per side). The guide will stop where space allows on either side. Look for a black or white van. Driving? Contact us for a free parking location to meet us 15 minutes earlier.
Description
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 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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun
- Start times
- 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 8+)
- $89
- Child (ages 3–7)
- $89
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- $89
In demand: 15 of the next 41 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
On the eastern edge of the Portland Metro Area is the western edge of the beautiful 85-mile long Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Columbia River Highway
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.
Sandy River
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.
Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
Here's your chance to capture the quintessential Gorge shot.
Vista House
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.
Latourell Falls
A short walk from the vehicle reveals a 249-foot hanging waterfall adorned with fluorescent lichen and columnar basalt.
Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area
This delightful little cove provides for a hidden surprise and some remarkable pictures.
Bridal Veil Falls State Park
An old logging ghost town dating to the 1880s, harboring a waterfall, an operating post office, and a circa-1920s B & B.
Wahkeena Falls
A short switch-back trail through Hemlock and Doug-fir leads to a bridge at the base of the falls.
Multnomah Falls
The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.
Oneonta Gorge
A slot canyon created by a fault, with plants growing on the walls found nowhere else.
Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge
Get some quirky photos at this quirky waterfall!
Beacon Rock
View the fifth-largest free-standing monolith in the world, from a distance.
Rooster Rock State Park
As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America's oldest continuously running nudist beach!
What's included
Included
PA system so people in back can hear their guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Bottled water
Snacks
Not included
Gratuity (always appreciated)
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
40 reviews
How it compares in Portland
- Rated higher than 78% of 126 reviewed tours in Portland
- Starting price $89 is 19% above the typical $75 for tours of similar length in Portland
Excurgo comparison of 283 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour take?
Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour lasts about 3–4 hours. The itinerary has 14 stops.
How much does Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour cost?
Prices start at $89 per person for this Portland experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM.
How much does Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–7 pay from $89, adults from $89.
Does Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour sell out?
It can: 15 of the next 41 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Director Park (1 city block, 200 ft/61 m per side). The guide will stop where space allows on either side. Look for a black or white van. Driving? Contact us for a free parking location to meet us 15 minutes earlier. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 14 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Reviews(40)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Marcus
Marcus was an excellent guide. His knowledge of flora and fauna added much to the tour. He’s was kind and pleasant.
Operator response
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Michael!
M
Great tour!
The small group tour was wonderful, and the guide was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend!
Operator response
Thank you for the great review, Michelle!
B
The waterfalls were...
The waterfalls were spectacular and our guide Marcus was friendly and informative. We had a great time.
Operator response
Thank you for the great review, Bill!
J
Falls trip
Marcus was Excellent guide, well informed, good communicator, we all had a great time. Recommend this excursion.
Operator response
Thank you for the great review, Joseph!
S
Amazing sites and scenery
Our guide, Marcus was fun and very knowledgeable and obliging. The van was spacious and comfortable. The sites are fantastic!
Operator response
Thank you for the great review, Susan!
N
Marcus was an amazing...
Marcus was an amazing guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area and allowed us to ask a lot of questions. We had a great experience and would highly recommend it. We saw numerous falls and great views of the gorge.
Operator response
Glad you enjoyed it Nancy! You two were a pleasure!
B
Great Tour of Oregon’s Waterfalls!
Marcus taught us all about the best parts of Oregon! This tour is great for those who want to visit all the nature spots, but don’t have a car! Very friendly and welcoming vibe.
Operator response
Thank you for the great review, Bianca!
D
The falls
Small group is the only way to go. You control the time spent in any given location. No waiting on others
Operator response
Thank you for the great review, David!
N
Wonderful tour of the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls!
Our guide, Marcus, was very knowledgeable, articulate, humorous, and a very good driver. We had plenty of time at each site. Marcus even gave me his hand on a little hike.
Operator response
Thank you for the great review, Nancy!
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explore Columbia River Gorge Half Day Small Group Tour | 3–4 hours | 5.0 (40) | $89 | |
 Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Hiking Tour | 4 hours | 5.0 (2,458) | $69 | View |
 Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, OR | 4 hours | 4.9 (1,522) | $89 | View |
 Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour Morning | 3h 30min | 4.9 (1,023) | $77 | View |
 Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls & Mt Hood Tour from Portland, OR | 8 hours | 4.9 (666) | $149 | View |
 Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland | 3h 30min | 4.8 (521) | $77 | View |
 Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Tour from Portland | 4 hours | 5.0 (366) | $67 | View |
from$89
5.0(40) Free cancellation