Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River in Portland booking from $140.00

Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River

Overview

See the natural wonders that line the Historic Columbia River Highway on this day trip from Portland to Mt Hood. With a guide, you'll be whisked to some of Oregon’s most spectacular sights, including Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge, as you learn about the area along the way. Stop by attractions like Timberline Lodge and Rowena Crest, and have free time for lunch in Hood River.
If weather or road conditions throw us a curveball, no worries! Our savvy guides will switch up the route to ensure you get the best Mt. Hood Loop tour experience.

City: Portland

Sat 17 May

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Starting at $140.00

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Sat 17 May

Starting at $140.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Knowledgeable and Experienced Local Guide

Bottled water

Hotel pick-up and drop-off at downtown Portland, Oregon hotels

Transportation by Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children under the age of 6 require a car seat for this tour; please bring your own, as the local operator will not be able to accommodate children without a car seat
It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes
This tour does operate in rainy weather.

What To Expect

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area protects the spectacular canyon where the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade mountains - with cliffs and overlooks of Washington to the north and Oregon's mountains and waterfalls to the south. The Gorge is unique in its natural and cultural history, as well as its designation as a National Scenic Area. As we drive to Multnomah Falls and Hood River we will be driving through the Columbia River Gorge.

Vista House

Nestled atop a picturesque perch in the Columbia River Gorge, lies Vista House – a true stunner that boasts of the most jaw-dropping views in the region. Known as the “Crown Jewel of the Columbia River Gorge,” Vista House was crafted between 1916 and 1918 as a tribute to Oregon’s brave pioneers and as a haven for travelers on the newly minted Historic Columbia River Highway. With its intricate sandstone masonry, opulent marble, and sparkling amber-green art glass windows, Vista House is a dazzling beauty.

Multnomah Falls

A waterfall as magnificent and memorable as any in the country is located just a 30- minute drive outside of Portland. Visiting Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of icy water, lets you experience the power and beauty of nature up close and with ease. We will stop here and you will have time to walk to Benson Bridge and explore the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge.

Tom McCall Nature Preserve

This stunning preserve is located directly across from Rowena Crest. The breathtaking views of wildflowers, Cascade peaks, and the expansive rocky cliffs along the Columbia River will surely make you pause and provide plenty of opportunities for stunning photographs.

Rowena Crest Viewpoint

Overlooking a major chokepoint along the Ice Age Floods path, Rowena Crest lies at nearly 700 feet above the Columbia River at the upstream end of Rowena Plateau, a miles-long promontory that protrudes into the path of the river. This forces the river around the plateau through a relatively narrow section of the Gorge known as the Rowena Gap. We will stop here and enjoy the view while taking amazing photographs! We will visit this location Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Bonneville Lock & Dam

Situated 40 miles (64 km) from Portland along the Columbia River, the Bonneville Lock and Dam is a national historic site and one of several dams located on the river’s main stem, which runs along the Oregon-Washington border. It was constructed during the Roosevelt era amid the Great Depression. Currently owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it is acknowledged as one of the largest hydroelectric systems in the country.

Draper Girls Country Farm

Get your taste buds ready for a locally grown feast along the stunning “Fruit Loop” drive in Hood River County! This road trip takes you through the picturesque orchards, vineyards, and family farms of the valley. With a whopping 28 fruit stands along the way, you’ll have a ball picking from a variety of fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, homemade pies, jams, syrups, honey, ciders, and even handcrafted artisanal gifts. Did you know that Hood River County is the world’s top producer of Anjou pears and the largest pear-growing area in the US? But wait, there’s more! This region is also known for growing mouth-watering big tree fruits like apples, cherries, nectarines, and peaches. Seasonally we will stop at a fruit stand so you can sample and grab some of these farm-to-table goodies, and take a little piece of Oregon home with you.

Hood River

We will take a one-hour lunch break in Hood River. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy a meal and explore the fantastic downtown area.

Mount Hood National Forest

Mt. Hood National Forest boasts eight wildernesses, encompassing 311,448 acres or about one-third of the forest. We will drive through this forest as we make our way to Timberline Lodge.

Tamanawas Falls Trail

We will drive past this trailhead that leads to where Tamanawas Falls creates a magnificent curtain as Cold Spring Creek cascades over a 110-foot lava cliff at the eastern base of Mount Hood. This picturesque hike along Cold Spring Creek has been a beloved route for families and can be enjoyed year-round with proper preparation. While the waterfall diminishes to a delicate veil in late summer and fall, the vibrant summer wildflowers and autumn colors make the trek along the creek a rewarding adventure. In winter, it's possible to witness the falls when the spray freezes, forming an impressive ice grotto in the amphitheater, although snowshoes may be necessary.

White River West Sno-Park

White River Sno-Park is a well-loved winter getaway in the Forest, particularly bustling on weekends and following fresh snowfall! With its breathtaking views of Mt. Hood and its convenient location near Portland, this spot has become a favorite for families.

Mount Hood

Mt. Hood’s perpetually snowy peak — crowned by eleven glaciers, one for every thousand feet it rises above sea level — can be seen from miles and miles away. It’s home to a total of six ski areas, making it a great base camp for skiers. Beautiful alpine lakes with names like Lost, Trillium and Mirror dot Mt. Hood’s flanks, each offering its own unique view of the mountain.

Timberline Lodge

Constructed in 1937, Timberline Lodge stands on the south slope of Mt. Hood at an elevation of 6,000 feet. This beautiful 55,000 square foot structure rises out of a pristine alpine landscape and is still being used for its original intent – a magnificent ski lodge and mountain retreat for everyone to enjoy. Legendary and awe-inspiring, it's a tribute to the rugged spirit of the Pacific Northwest and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. If weather or road conditions throw us a curveball, no worries! Our savvy guides will switch up the route to ensure you get the best Mt. Hood Loop tour experience.

Mirror Lake Trail

We will drive past this well-maintained trail that leads you to a tranquil mountain lake that offers stunning, picture-perfect views of Mount Hood alongside the rugged peaks of Tom Dick and Harry Mountain rising majestically above.

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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (612)

Lisa L

May 2017

This was a highlight for my trip to Oregon. Sarah was an excellent tour guide. It was such a relaxed and beautiful day. I highly recommend this tour.

Brandon C

Apr 2017

I will be honest - this tour did not go exceptionally well, and it had great potential. Our tour guide, Carrie, was very friendly and knowledgeable. However, time management on the tour was an issue. Firstly, she did not have contact information for one of her pickups, and when we arrived at their hotel, it turned out they were not coming on the tour at all...this took up about 10-15 minutes that could have been avoided had she called every individual the morning of the tour to confirm that we were all still attending. This was poor planning in my opinion. All in all, the personalized pickups took far too long, and should have begun earlier in the morning. I was one of the first pickups and was not picked up until about 8:55 AM, when the tour was supposed to begin at 9 AM. I would hardly call driving around to 5 different hotels in a crowded bus a tour.

The various waterfalls that we viewed were wonderful. However, the tour did not allow much time for us to hike or explore the trails. That was disappointing. I would have much preferred less stops along the way, and more ability to explore, say, 1 or 2 waterfalls, as opposed to stopping to see 5 or 6 different locations for 10 minutes each. Again, time management seemed a bit off there.

We also stopped at the Mt. Hood Vineyard for the sole reason that ONE person on our tour wanted to stop there. ONE PERSON! It was not a planned part of the tour, and I think it was outrageous that we wasted 10-15 minutes again at a stop that was completely uneventful for 9/10 of the parties in the bus. If you want to go on a wine tour, go on a wine tour!

The absolute worst part of this debacle was our ascent to Mt. Hood. I guess Carrie does not have a contact at the lodge at the top of Mt Hood to check the weather...because once we got near the top, it was near blizzard conditions. We got stuck behind several cars. We had to GET OUT OF THE VAN and literally help PUSH cars out of snow ruts. We then had to do the same thing for our van. It is a blessing that none of the older gentlemen on our tour had a heart attack. By the time we actually got out of the snow, there was no time to even stop at the lodge. Everyone was out of breath, cold, wet, and agitated. We had literally wasted over 2 hours driving up and down a mountain for absolutely no reason.

Now, I understand that the weather was out of Carrie's control. But I believe that much of this could have been prevented with better planning:
1. Better planned pickups. Call everyone morning of the tour to confirm everyone is still on board and ready to go.
2. No unscheduled stops. This is NO ONE's personal tour - it is a group tour.
3. Less stops, more exploration at the better stops. I'd rather have a fantastic experience at 2 or 3 waterfalls than just get a couple of pics at 5 or 6 locations. Each time you stop the bus and unload the passengers, you use up more time.
4. If you are driving up a mountain in a vehicle that can't handle snow, BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE WEATHER IS SAFE! We should never have been put in that situation. It truly was a disaster.

I do not mean to personally attack Carrie, and I'm sure she is an excellent tour guide, but the planning on this tour was just abysmal. I am only giving it two stars rather than one because I think the sights are breathtaking - so with proper planning, the right guide, and good weather, this tour has potential to be a great one.

Candice V

Apr 2017

The van was comfortable for an all-day tour. Tom was an excellent tour guide. He was personable, ready to offer suggestions for changing the agenda due to inclement weather, and very knowledgeable. Couldn't have had a better day!

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Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River

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