Portland & Columbia River Gorge tour: Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls drops 620 feet into a pool you can reach on foot.

A full-day guided tour of Portland and the Columbia River Gorge with hotel pickup, covering the Pearl District, Washington Park's rose gardens, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and two major waterfalls (Multnomah Falls and Latourell Falls) plus time at the PSU Farmers Market. The tour runs 8.5 hours in a Mercedes-Benz van with a local guide and includes bottled water and parking fees for the falls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each9 stops

1. Columbia River Gorgepassing by
2. Historic Columbia River Highwaypassing by
3. Vista House15m
4. Latourell Falls20m
5. Multnomah Falls20m
6. Pioneer Squarepassing by
7. International Rose Test Garden20m
8. Washington Parkpassing by
9. Pearl Districtpassing by

Portland and Columbia Gorge sightseeing

• Drive through Columbia River Gorge
• Drive along Historic Columbia River Highway
• Visit Vista House overlook
• See Latourell Falls waterfall
• Explore Multnomah Falls and lodge
• Drive around Pioneer Courthouse Square
• Visit International Rose Test Garden
• Drive through Washington Park
• Drive through Pearl District
• Walk around PSU Farmers Market

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your downtown Portland hotel and a drive through the city's neighborhoods: the Pearl District's galleries and restaurants, the International Rose Test Garden with over 550 rose varieties, Pioneer Courthouse Square at the heart of downtown, and the PSU Farmers Market spanning three blocks of the Portland State University campus. Your guide explains Portland's history and modern culture as you move through these stops, and you have time to walk around the market before heading out of the city.

The second half crosses into the Columbia River Gorge, one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. You'll drive the Historic Columbia River Highway, a 74-mile scenic route built between 1913 and 1922, and stop at Vista House: a 1916–1918 memorial perched on a panoramic overlook. At Latourell Falls, a 249-foot waterfall framed by columnar basalt and yellow lichen, you walk down to the punch-bowl pool below to feel the mist and hear the water's rush. Then comes Multnomah Falls, Oregon's number one natural attraction: a 620-foot two-stage waterfall fed by underground streams from Larch Mountain. You have time to cross the Benson Bridge at the base and explore the Historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, which has a restaurant, gift shop and interpretive center.

The tour operates in all weather and involves a small amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. The van holds a small group, and the guide is a local expert who knows the stories (tribal history, the Lewis and Clark expedition, pioneer journeys) that shaped the Gorge. Pickup and drop-off are at your downtown Portland hotel, and bottled water is provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Transport by Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
• knowledgeable local guide in English.
• bottled water.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Portland.
• parking fees for Multnomah Falls during permit season.

Options for this experience

2 options

Sightseeing Tour of Portland with Columbia Gorge WaterfallsGuide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 09:00Pickup is included

Private- City/Gorge ComboGuide in English · 09:00Take a private tour of the most sought-after excursion covering Portland and the Columbia River Gorge, offered anywhere! Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 8h 30m, runs every day at 09:00, from US$ 624 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 122 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years) · Infant (under 1)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hub World Travel dba America's Hub World Tours LLC

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Portland's neighborhoods and the Gorge's major waterfalls in a single day without driving yourself: the van, guide and fixed schedule handle the route and timing, leaving you to focus on the falls, the gardens and the city's character.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years); Infant (under 1).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Multnomah Falls like when you get there?

Multnomah Falls is a 620-foot waterfall divided into two sections, with the upper falls dropping 542 feet into a pool before falling another 69 feet to form a creek. It draws over 2.5 million visitors a year and is the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. You walk to the Benson Bridge at the base and can explore the Historic Multnomah Falls Lodge with its restaurant and gift shop.

How long does the tour take and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 8.5 hours total and includes transport in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, a knowledgeable local guide, bottled water, hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Portland, and parking fees for Multnomah Falls during permit season. Gratuities are not included.

What neighborhoods and attractions do you see in Portland itself?

In Portland you visit the Pearl District (known for galleries and restaurants), the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park with over 550 rose varieties, Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown, and the PSU Farmers Market spanning three blocks of the university campus. Your guide shares the history and culture of each stop, and you have time to walk around the market.

Do you need to be in good physical shape for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and involves only a small amount of walking. Comfortable shoes are recommended. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately for rain.

What is the Historic Columbia River Highway and why does the tour drive it?

The Historic Columbia River Highway is a 74-mile scenic route built between 1913 and 1922 that extends east from near Troutdale to The Dalles. It's an outstanding example of twentieth-century highway design and passes through the Columbia River Gorge, one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. Driving it lets you see the canyon walls, rock formations and waterfalls that make the Gorge a major scenic area.

Can you spend extra time at the farmers market or the falls?

Yes. The PSU Farmers Market is the last stop of the tour, so you can stay as long as you want, have lunch and explore. At Multnomah Falls, you have time to walk the Benson Bridge and visit the lodge. At Latourell Falls, you walk down to the punch-bowl pool below the waterfall.