Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood
Waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway, Hood River orchards and Timberline Lodge.
- Distance
- 164 km (102 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 49 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 4
- States
- OR
- Updated
- September 7, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 164 km (102 mi) with 4 stops, from Portland to Timberline Lodge. About 1 h 49 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Oregon · More road trips from Portland
Route description
From Portland, head east on I-84 and leave it at Corbett for the Historic Columbia River Highway, which passes Vista House at Crown Point and a string of waterfalls down to Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s tallest at 620 feet. The old road is narrow and winding with stone guard walls, so longer motorhomes should stay on I-84, which has its own exit and parking for the falls. Timed permits may apply in summer.
Further east, Hood River sits where the gorge meets the orchards of the Hood River Valley, and the town is a center for windsurfing and kiteboarding. OR-35 then climbs south through the orchards toward Mount Hood, and a side road leads up to Timberline Lodge, the stone and timber lodge built by the WPA in the 1930s on the mountain’s slope.
Return to Portland on US-26 to complete the loop. Spring brings blossom to the valley and fall brings the harvest, while in winter the roads around Mount Hood are snowy and traction tires or chains may be required.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Portland
OR - 253 km
Multnomah Falls
NatureBridal Veil, OROregon's tallest waterfall, 620 feet in two tiers, just off I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge. Timed permits may apply in summer.
- 358 km
Hood River
OR - 453 km
Timberline Lodge
HistoryGovernment Camp, ORA stone and timber lodge built by the WPA in the 1930s on the slope of Mount Hood.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Portland → Multnomah Falls · 33 mi · 0 h 35 minOvernight nearby, for example: Lewis & Clark Campground & RV Park (8 mi); Ainsworth Campground (3 mi).
- Day 2: Multnomah Falls → Timberline Lodge · 69 mi · 1 h 14 minOn the way: Hood River.Overnight nearby, for example: Trillium Lake Campground (4 mi); McNeil Campground (8 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood?
2-day road trip of about 164 km (102 mi) with 4 stops, from Portland to Timberline Lodge. About 1 h 49 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 49 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood start and end?
It starts in Portland and ends in Timberline Lodge.
Which states does Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood pass through?
Oregon.
Where can you camp along Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood?
OpenStreetMap lists 145 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Home Valley Campground, Columbia River RV Park and Vancouver Mall RV Park.
When is the best time for Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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