Getting here and staying nearby

Travel & Hotel

Everything you need to plan your trip to The Dalles, Oregon.

The Venue
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
5000 Discovery Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058
Set on the banks of the Columbia River with sweeping gorge views.
Parking
Free parking is available on site.
Dress Code
Cocktail attire for the Saturday evening celebration.

Recommended Hotels

Rayland Hotel
112 W 2nd St, The Dalles, OR · ~5 miles from venue · A boutique gem in the heart of The Dalles. Features a coffeehouse, bar and bistro with Pacific Northwest cuisine, free parking, and free breakfast. Rooms have river and city views.
Closest to Venue
Best Western Plus Hood River Inn
1108 E Marina Way, Hood River, OR · ~20 miles from venue · Set right on the Columbia River with stunning gorge views. Features an outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, on-site restaurant, and a private beach area.
On the Columbia River
Lightwell Hotel & Spa
201 Cascade Ave, Hood River, OR · ~20 miles from venue · A beautifully restored 1904 landmark in downtown Hood River. Features a full-service spa, rooftop bar with panoramic gorge views, Mediterranean restaurant, hot tub, and sauna.
Spa & Rooftop Bar

Getting Here

By Air — Portland (PDX)
Portland International Airport is the closest major airport, approximately 80 miles west of The Dalles (about 1.5 hr drive).
Recommended
Rental Car
If you are flying in, renting a car is strongly recommended and essentially a necessity. There are no rideshare services (Uber, Lyft, etc.) in the Columbia River Gorge area. All major rental agencies are available at PDX. Book well in advance for summer weekends.
By Car
The Dalles is located along I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge. Free parking is available at the Discovery Center.

The Columbia River Gorge is a popular summer destination and rooms fill up quickly, especially on weekends. We strongly recommend booking your accommodations early.

Other hotels worth considering include the Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River (Hilton) in Hood River, the Fairfield Inn & Suites The Dalles (Marriott) and Holiday Inn Express & Suites The Dalles (IHG) in The Dalles, and the historic Hood River Hotel in downtown Hood River.

Things To Do

🏔️ Columbia River Gorge
Historic Columbia River Highway
America's first scenic highway, winding past breathtaking viewpoints, waterfalls, and the iconic Vista House.
E-Bike Rentals, Sol Rides
Explore the Gorge and Hood River Fruit Loop on electric bikes with guided tours and rentals.
White Salmon River Rafting
Class III-IV rafting just 15 minutes from Hood River. Daily trips April through October.
Maryhill Museum of Art
80+ Rodin sculptures and sweeping river views, about 30 miles east of The Dalles.
Multnomah Falls
Oregon's tallest waterfall at 620 feet, about 50 miles west. Timed-entry permits required in peak season.
Deschutes River, Maupin
World-class rafting and fly fishing through dramatic high desert canyons, about 40 miles south.
🍷 Hood River
Hood River Fruit Loop
A 35-mile scenic loop through orchards, farms, cideries, and wineries with views of Mt. Hood.
Downtown Hood River
Acclaimed restaurants, wine tasting rooms, boutique shops, and world-famous kiteboarding.
Lost Lake Resort
A magical alpine lake with mirror-perfect views of Mt. Hood. Kayaks, paddleboards, and hiking.
Columbia Gorge Wineries
Over 50 wineries spanning Oregon and Washington with stunning mountain views.
⛷️ Mount Hood
Timberline Lodge
A National Historic Landmark at 6,000 feet. Summer bike park, scenic chairlift rides, and hiking.
Mt. Hood Skibowl
Summer adventure park with mountain biking, alpine slides, and ziplines in Government Camp.

Make It a Vacation!

The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most spectacular corners of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you arrive a few days early or linger after the celebration, there is so much to explore within a few hours of The Dalles.

🌲 Portland, OR
~1.5 hrs west. World-class food, Powell's Books, breweries, the Japanese Garden, and easy access to the Gorge waterfalls.
🏔️ Bend, OR
~3 hrs south. A vibrant outdoor mecca with hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, and craft breweries.
🌊 Oregon Coast
~3 hrs west. From Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock to the sea caves at Sea Lion Caves, Oregon's coast is wild and unforgettable.
🌋 Crater Lake, OR
~4 hrs south. The deepest lake in the US, with electric-blue water and dramatic caldera views.
🏙️ Seattle, WA
~3.5 hrs north. Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, incredible seafood, and ferry trips to the San Juan Islands.
🏕️ Smith Rock, OR
~2 hrs south. Towering spires above the Crooked River, perfect for hiking and rock climbing.
🚣 Thinking about Deschutes River Rafting?

We are considering organizing a group rafting trip on the Deschutes River near Maupin during the week before the celebration. If you're interested in joining, let us know when you RSVP or drop us a note!