Columbia River Gorge
With over 50 technical canyon routes, The Gorge, as locals refer to it, is Portland’s mecca for canyoning. From classic, beginner-friendly, trade routes to experts-only big water drainages, the Gorge has something for everyone.
Due to the long drive time from the Seattle area, 3+ hours, trips to The Gorge are typically done as multi-day trips with car camping at a convenient spot for a basecamp depending on which side of the Gorge the objectives are. This almost always means driving down the evening before a trip.
There are two sides to the Gorge, the Oregon side and the Washington side. On the Oregon side there are over 30 documented canyoneering routes as close as 20 minutes from Portland and out to Hood River. On the Washington side, there are over 20, ranging from just east of Vancouver to White Salmon.
Featured on Portland's famous Scenic Waterfall Tour route, the awe-inspiring falls along Interstate 84 get very crowded on summer weekends. A very early start to get a parking space is recommended. The closer to Portland the more broken glass there is in the parking areas, evidence of frequent car break-ins. It is a good idea to not leave valuables in the car, or lock valuables in the trunk.
On the Oregon side, the imposing Latourell Falls, with it's towering 250 foot vertical falls, and Eagle Creek, with it's 50 foot waterslide ejector, and the Oneanta narrows are examples of some of the extreme geological features. There are also many superb basic routes such as Bridal Veil Falls, Young Creek, Gorton Creek where basic canyoneers can get a proper dousing.
On the Washington side, Duncan has just about everything fun there is to do in a canyon and thus is one of the most heavily guided routes. Prindle Creek and Dog Creek are other local favorites. There is also a 230' single-pitch waterfall rappel with a packraft exit on Cape Horn Falls.
With so many options, big and small drainages, near the city and far, scheduling trips is easy. Trip Leaders typically pick a basecamp in advance and see what the weather and flow dictate as the trip date nears, in order to optimize the success of the overall trip.
- Suitable Activities: Canyoning
- Seasons: Year-round, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Basic Canyon, Intermediate Canyon
- Length: 5.0 mi
- Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
- Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
- Recommended Party Size: 7
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
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