A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Columbia River Gorge vs. Hope for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Columbia River Gorge or Hope?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Columbia River Gorge or Hope, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Columbia River Gorge or Hope?

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

Hope

Hope, located in British Columbia, Canada, is a small town in the far east of the Fraser Valley. It's at the cross section of several major highways making it a pass through point for many visitors to the area. Hope is also the location of the filming of the 1980's film Rambo: First Blood, a fact which many locals take much pride in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia River Gorge and Hope, we can see that Columbia River Gorge is more expensive. And not only is Hope much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hope would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hope and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Columbia River Gorge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbia River Gorge than you might in Hope.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive? and Is Hope Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia River Gorge or Hope?

Columbia River Gorge has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Columbia River Gorge and Hope, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Columbia River Gorge or Hope?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Hope in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbia River Gorge as well as Hope. Most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Columbia River Gorge is a little warmer than Hope in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbia River Gorge averages around 68°F (20°C) in July, and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Columbia River Gorge usually gets less rain in July than Hope. Columbia River Gorge gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Columbia River Gorge are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Columbia River Gorge is a little warmer than Hope. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia River Gorge in October average around 55°F (13°C), and Hope averages at about 10°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In October, Columbia River Gorge usually receives less rain than Hope. Columbia River Gorge gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Hope in the Winter?

Both Hope and Columbia River Gorge during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hope. It's quite cold in Columbia River Gorge in the winter. In January, Columbia River Gorge is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Columbia River Gorge average around 40°F (4°C), and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. Columbia River Gorge usually gets less rain in January than Hope. Columbia River Gorge gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Hope in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia River Gorge and Hope. Many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty.

Columbia River Gorge is a little warmer than Hope in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbia River Gorge averages around 51°F (11°C) in April, and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Columbia River Gorge usually receives less rain than Hope. Columbia River Gorge gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hope and Columbia River Gorge