A small ship puts you inside the Columbia River Gorge rather than above it, and the Gorge rewards that. It is an 80-mile canyon cut through the Cascade Range on the Oregon–Washington border. The cruise pages describe it as the largest federally protected National Scenic Area in the United States, a place where rainforest gives way to desert over a short stretch of river.
The ships on these routes carry roughly 100 to 184 guests, which changes the day-to-day feel. Boats tie up close to town: in The Dalles the dock sits steps from the historic downtown, and American Cruise Lines uses its own private dock at Kalama, Washington. Evenings mean a naturalist talk, a cocktail hour and a view from the deck as the light turns on the basalt cliffs.
This article covers what you will see, what you can do ashore, when to go, and the specific sailings.
Highlights: what to see
The Gorge delivers its best views from the water, and the shore stops add the history.
- Multnomah Falls. Oregon’s best-known waterfall drops 620 feet in a veil of mist, and it runs strongest in spring. The Gorge itineraries bill it as a headline sight.
- Basalt cliffs and Beacon Rock. Walls of black basalt line the river. Lindblad’s itinerary adds an optional hike up Beacon Rock, an 848-foot basalt column above the Columbia.
- Bonneville Lock and Dam. Ships pass through the lock system, and on the Lindblad sailing naturalists discuss the controversial history of the river’s dams from the bow.
- Mount Hood and Mount Adams. Both peaks top 11,000 feet and frame the view at The Dalles, the end of the historic Oregon Trail.
- Mount St. Helens. From Kalama, a guided drive reaches the blast zone of the 1980 eruption and explains its effect on the land and nearby towns.
- Mount St. Helens. From Kalama, a guided drive reaches the blast zone of the 1980 eruption and explains its effect on the land and nearby towns.
- Hood River. Windsurfers and kiteboarders cut across the water below, and the town sits among orchards known for apples and pears.
- Lewis and Clark history. Guides cover the expedition, Native heritage and the pioneers who followed. On Astoria itineraries you can visit a replica of Fort Clatsop, the explorers’ winter camp.
- Wildlife. Expect bald eagles and ospreys overhead, plus deer and river otters along the banks.
The longer Columbia and Snake sailings add Hells Canyon, billed as the deepest gorge in North America, and Palouse Falls, which drops 200 feet into a basin of ancient flood-carved scablands.
Things to do ashore and onboard
Most lines include at least one shore excursion per port, with premium excursions at extra cost. These are the options named on the itineraries.
| Port | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Hood River, OR | Wander the downtown boutiques and galleries, taste fruit wines and craft beer, join a guided kayak trip, or visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum |
| The Dalles, OR | Walk the historic downtown and its murals, visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, tour a bluff-top art collection, or spend an afternoon with sommeliers |
| Kalama, WA | Take the guided drive to the Mount St. Helens blast zone, visit the interpretive center and park, and taste wine at a family vineyard |
| Astoria, OR (Snake itineraries) | Tour the Fort Clatsop replica, the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Victorian hillside neighborhoods |
| Richland and Pendleton (Snake itineraries) | See the REACH Museum and Sacajawea State Park, or take a full-day trip to Pendleton for Wild West history and its underground tunnels |
| Walla Walla and Palouse River (Lindblad only) | Tour galleries and tasting rooms, then paddle kayaks and Zodiacs on the Palouse River before a visit to Palouse Falls |
Onboard, the American Cruise Lines sailings run an enrichment program with guest speakers, art classes, cooking demonstrations, mixology sessions and trivia, plus an evening cocktail hour. The Lindblad Food, Wine and History cruise swaps those for nightly wine tastings, geologists and a sommelier-led program. Optional pre-cruise packages, such as a two-night Hells Canyon stay before the nine-day American Song sailing, extend the trip.
Best time to go
Spring and fall suit the Gorge-only cruises best, while summer is the busy season. American Cruise Lines puts the prime cruising months at April to October, and Cruise Critic says ships run from April to November with no bad month.
- Spring (March to May). Waterfalls are at their most dramatic, and Multnomah Falls is strongest now. Hood River’s orchards bloom through April, and it is the quietest season in the Gorge.
- Summer (June to August). Warm, dry and long days, with windsurfing and kiteboarding at Hood River. It is also the busiest season, and one guide puts highs in the 80s.
- Fall (September to November). Fewer crowds, harvest flavors, autumn color and easier wildlife spotting along the banks. Expect some rain and overcast days in any season, so pack layers and rain gear.
- Winter. Cruises do not run. Roads near Crown Point can turn icy, which matters if you add a land stay.
The Gorge-only sailings are scheduled in the shoulder months. The 7-day American Pride cruise runs in March to April and October to November, and American West sails in April and October. The longer Columbia and Snake sailings run through the summer as well.
Cruise itineraries
| Itinerary | Line & Ship | Length | Route | # Guests | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia River Gorge Cruise | American Cruise Lines, American Pride | 7 days | Round trip from Portland | 150 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov |
| Columbia River Gorge Cruise | American Cruise Lines, American West | 7 days | Round trip from Portland | 100–110 | Apr, Oct |
| Food, Wine and History | Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic Sea Bird | 6 days | Portland to Clarkston, WA | 62 | Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct |
| Columbia and Snake Rivers Cruise | American Cruise Lines, American Song | 9 days | Portland to Clarkston, or reverse | 184 | Mar–Nov |
Interested? Contact Sunstone Tours & Cruises toll-free at 1-888-815-5428.
