Gorge Town and Trail Pairings, Oregon

Yes, the Eagle Creek fire in 2017 has closed a lot of the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge. But not all of it! Spring is the best time to explore the eastern Gorge, which remains untouched by that fire.

Balsamroot and lupine in the Eastern Gorge, April 2016

Find detailed info on the hikes named in this article at oregonhikers.org or gorgefriends.org.

Then pair the hike with these great places to explore in and around nearby towns.

After a wildflower hike between Mosier and The Dalles, such as Mosier Creek Falls, Mosier Plateau, Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Nature Preserve —

In Mosier — Rent electric bikes to ride the Historic Highway at Route 30 Classics and Roadside Refreshments. (Bike rentals 18+ years only).

Stephen, owner of Route 30 Classics and Refreshments in Mosier, with one of the e-bikes he rents

Note: as of April 2018, e-bikes are not allowed on the State Trail portion of the Historic Columbia River Highway, i.e., the section which runs west from Mosier to Hood River. But a fantastic e-bike ride starts in Mosier and runs east, past the Memaloose Overlook to Rowena Crest.

Rent mountain bikes in Hood River at Discover Bicycles or Mountain View Cycyles and do a scenic loop over Hood River Mountain to Mosier (have lunch at Route 30 Classics) then ride back to Hood River via the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.

Eat and drink seasonal fare at Rack and Cloth in Mosier.

Drive the beautiful, crowd-free Historic Columbia River Highway and Seven Mile Hill loop between Mosier and The Dalles. On the way: pick cherries in June and July at 140-year-old Root Orchards;

Picking a year’s worth of cherries at Root Orchards outside Mosier

or taste wine on weekends, April to October, at Analemma Wines and Garnier Vineyards.

Vineyars at Analemma, on a quiet back road between Mosier and The Dalles

A bit further east, just off the Historic Highway, explore beaches, watch windsurfers, investigate a Rowena Ferry Road remnant, and swim in an Ice-Age kolk pond at Mayer State Park.

A sugary white sand beach at Mayer State Park

In The Dalles — Swim at the new, outdoor The Dalles Public Pool & Splash Park (June to Labor Day) or at Riverfront Park Beach.

Ride the Waterfront Trail 6 miles from downtown’s restaurants to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.

On the Waterfront Trail in The Dalles

Hill walk (or rent bikes at Dalles City Cyclery) through historic neighborhoods to the top of The Dalles, Sorosis Park. On the way, see Amaton Springs, a Native American encampment turned Christian mission, turned Art Moderne high school.

Browse Oregon’s oldest bookstore, Klindt’s (since 1870); eat old style at the 1876 Baldwin Saloon, or in the French style at Petite Provence. Taste wine at Sunshine Mill Winery in an old flourmill.

Rent a SUP (Memorial Day to Labor Day) at Celilo Paddle Company.

On The Dalles Riverfront Trail, rent SUPs from Celilo Paddle Company in summer

After a hike along the Deschutes River in the Deschutes River State Recreation Area 16 miles east of The Dalles —

Explore nearby Celilo Park, opposite Celilo Falls; see one of the Gorge’s treaty access fishing sites; swim at a gravel beach where humans have lived and traded for 10,000 years.

Drive or bike scenic gravel roads from the Deschutes over the hills through open range to The Dalles, following the route of Oregon Trail pioneers.

On back roads between the Deschutes River and The Dalles; this is the route Oregon Trail pioneers trekked. Celilo Park is on the river in the distance. Here, Celilo Falls roared until The Dalles Dam silenced it. The Native American community of Celilo is south of the rail and road lines; its original location is now under water.

You’ll pass through open range on the plateau between the Deschutes River and The Dalles.

In The Dalles, eat and drink downtown at Liberty Tapworks, Freebridge Brewing, Route 30 Bottles and Brews, or Sedition Brewing.

Freebridge Brewing in The Dalles

from Columbia Gorge Getaways: 12 Weekend Adventures, from Towns to Trails