Columbia & Snake Rivers

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Cruise the Columbia and Snake Rivers of the Pacific Northwest

Ports-of-Call on the Columbia & Snake Rivers

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Columbia & Snake Rivers as they flow through the Pacific Northwest.  These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises.  Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Columbia & Snake Rivers further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Astoria

Oregon

Astoria, Oregon, is located near the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean. Astoria was named after John Jacob Astor, an investor from New York City whose American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria on the site in 1811. Astoria is notable for being the first permanent United States settlement on the Pacific coast and for having the first U.S. post office west of the Rocky Mountains. Some key points of interest include the Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria Riverfront Trolley, and Old City Hall.

Clarkston

Washington

Clarkston, Washington was first settled in 1862 by Robert Bracken and was officially incorporated on August 14, 1902. Before becoming an official town, the area was called Jawbone Flats. The name Clarkston is a reference to William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition fame. Clarkston is in the Lewis-Clark Valley, at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers. Immediately across the Snake River from Clarkston is the city of Lewiston, Idaho. Plan a visit to a winery, see Hells Gate State Park, or explore the town and quaint shops.

Hood River

Oregon

Hood River is at the confluence of the Hood River and the Columbia River in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The city is about 30 miles north of Mount Hood, the tallest peak in the state. It is across the Columbia River from White Salmon, Washington. South of the city is the Hood River Valley, known for its production of apples, pears, and cherries. Hood River is home to the History Museum of Hood River County, the International Museum of Carousel Art, and the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum. Hood River has over two dozen sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Columbia Gorge Hotel, built in 1920 by Portland timber baron and Columbia Gorge booster Simon Benson.

Mount St. Helens

Washington

Mount St. Helens or Louwala-Clough, also known as Lawetlat’la to the indigenous Cowlitz people, and Loowit to the Klickita, is an active stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington some 30 miles north of the Columbia River. Mount St. Helens is most notorious for its major 1980 eruption, the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. Visit the Visitors Center, the Forest Learning Center and the Johnston Ridge Observatory to learn more about the events of 1980 and what happened to the region as a result.

Multnomah Falls

Oregon

Multnomah Falls is a grand waterfall located in the Columbia River Gorge, east of Troutdale, between Corbett and Dodson, Oregon. Spanning two tiers on basalt cliffs, it is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon at 620 ft. Underground springs from Larch Mountain are the year-round source of water for the waterfall, augmented by spring runoff from the mountain’s snowpack and rainwater during the other seasons. There are foot trails that lead visitors to the top of the falls or to the bridge that famously bisects the falls.

Portland

Oregon

Portland is the largest city in the Oregon and the seat of Multnomah County. Portland is a major port in the Willamette Valley region of the Pacific Northwest, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers and often the launching point for Columbia River cruises. Named after Portland, Maine, the Oregon settlement began to be populated in the 1830’s near the end of the Oregon Trail. Its water access provided convenient transportation of goods, and the timber industry was a major force in the city’s early economy. A plethora of restaurants dot the city offering exciting culinary options. Breweries are common and Portland is a hub for beer connoisseurs. Visit the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, or the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum to learn about the regional culture.

Stevenson

Washington

Stevenson is a small town in Skamania County, Washington, along the Columbia River. Stevenson is home to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, which focuses on several tribes that were once located near the Columbia River. Stevenson is named for early settler George H. Stevenson. The Stevenson family, who settled in the Gorge in the 1800’s from Missouri, founded the town of Stevenson on the old Shepard donation land claim. Under the auspices of the Stevenson Land Company, George Stevenson purchased the original town site for $24,000 in 1893, building the town along the lower flat near the river. Settlers expanded the original dock to serve the daily arrivals of sternwheelers unloading passengers, cargo and loading logs.

The Dalles

Oregon

The Dalles is the county seat and largest city of Wasco County, Oregon, and is the largest city on the Oregon side along the Columbia River outside Portland. The site of what is now the city of The Dalles was a major Native American trading center for at least 10,000 years. Visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum here, or the Fort Dalles Museum. You may also climb Pulpit Rock that was used by Methodist missionaries to preach to the native people of the region. Also, popular sites are The Dalles Dam, Sunshine Mill Winery, and the Riverfront Trail.

Umatilla

Oregon

Umatilla is a small city in Umatilla County, Oregon. It is named for the Umatilla River, which enters the Columbia River at Umatilla. The river is named after the Umatilla Tribe of Native Americans. The city is on the south side of the Columbia River. It was a popular trade and distribution center for gold, furs and timber throughout the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Visit nearby Hat Rock State Park or McNary Dam and the Pacific Salmon Visitors Center.

Your Columbia & Snake River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Columbia & Snake River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.