How much does it cost to travel to Columbia River Gorge?
You should plan to spend around $179 per day on your vacation in Columbia River Gorge. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $46 on meals
- $78 on local transportation
- $178 on hotels
A one week trip to Columbia River Gorge for two people costs, on average, $2,500. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Columbia River Gorge has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Columbia River Gorge expensive to visit?
Prices in Columbia River Gorge are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Columbia River Gorge is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Saint Simons or Tampa.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Columbia River Gorge?
The average Columbia River Gorge trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Columbia River Gorge travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$178
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$78
|
|
Food 2
|
$46
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$20
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$6 -
18
|
Accommodation Budget in Columbia River Gorge
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Columbia River Gorge is $89. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Columbia River Gorge is $178. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Columbia River Gorge? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Columbia River Gorge
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Columbia River Gorge is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $78 per person, per day, on local transportation in Columbia River Gorge.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$78
How much does it cost to go to Columbia River Gorge? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Columbia River Gorge will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Columbia River Gorge
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Columbia River Gorge can vary, the average cost of food in Columbia River Gorge is $46 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Columbia River Gorge should cost around $18 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Columbia River Gorge is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$46
Entertainment Budget in Columbia River Gorge
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Columbia River Gorge typically cost an average of $20 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$20
Alcohol Budget in Columbia River Gorge
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $12 on alcoholic beverages in Columbia River Gorge per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$12
Columbia River Gorge On a Budget
Columbia River Gorge, near Portland, Oregon
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.
Sights
There are a number of attractions spread throughout the Columbia River Gorge. Many destinations are along the Historic Columbia River Highway, which is a 20 mile stretch of US Highway 30 that dates back to 1915 and weaves its way through the gorge passing by impressive waterfalls and beautiful forest. There are a number of trails and viewpoints along the way.
Multnomah Falls is the most visited in the area. It's an impressive sight with two major drops. The upper falls is 542 feet and the lower falls is 69 feet.
At one viewpoint you'll find the
Vista House, which has a few exhibits and grounds that you can wander around.
Several towns in the area have museums that are worth exploring. The Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center is located in The Dalles. You can also visit the Bonneville Dam visitor center which has exhibits and an observation area. There are also tours, nature trails, and a picnic area.
And of course, spend some time in
Hood River.
Neighborhoods
The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway has a number of places to stop, most notably
Multnomah Falls, which is the most popular waterfall in the area. The area has impressive views and beautiful hikes of varying difficulty that you can enjoy.
Another popular stopping point is
Crown Point Vista House, which offers impressive views and a unique octagonal building. It looks out over the gorge with spectacular panoramic views.
The Dalles is one of the oldest settlements on the west coast and it offers a fascinating history with museums, restaurants, and inns that you can stay at.
Activities
The Columbia River Gorge is all about natural beauty. There are a number of outdoor activities that visitors can enjoy including fishing, hiking, and even windsurfing because of the area's strong winds. Camping is also a popular activity in the area with a number of campgrounds around.
The Hood River Valley is known for its fruit orchards and wine vineyards. Spring is a great time to visit if you want to see them in full bloom. Visitors often enjoy wine tasting and visiting orchards in the area where they can sample a number of fruits.
Another fun activity is a visit to the historic fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam. While there you can learn about the process of how small fish grow into fully grown rainbow trout.
Food and Dining
There are a number of good local restaurants in the Columbia River Gorge area, particularly in the nearby towns. It's also fun to pick up some fresh fruit and pack a picnic for your drive along the scenic highway.
Transportation
Columbia River Gorge is about half an hour from Portland, Oregon. You really have to have your own car to explore the area. The scenic highway along Route 30 can get a bit congested during weekend summer months, but the views and hiking are well worth the trouble.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.