Things To Do
Skamania Lodge
Skamania Lodge itself is one of our favorite places on earth. There is so much to do around the Lodge in the Columbia River Gorge, but don't forget to spend some time at the hotel itself. The website has a link to onsite activities for all ages, including: 9-hole golf course, an 18-hole putting course, 9-hole disc golf course, guided zip line tours, fitness trails, an aerial park, axe throwing, e-bike rentals, fishing, kite boarding, a spa offering a variety of treatments, a pool, hot tub, and dining options. Many of these activities are free of charge, while some require advanced reservations and a fee. Note that there are deals on golf the morning of the wedding! There is a concierge desk in the lobby with plenty of literature on the area and friendly staff to help you plan your stay. For kids: don't forget to grab the animal safari indoor and Sasquatch outdoor scavenger hunt sheets!
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Hiking in the Columbia River Gorge is like nowhere else - the breathtaking views and the greatest concentration of high waterfalls in North America are the hallmarks of the area. Some of the hikes require some level of fitness to scale elevation, so be sure to read up on the hike you plan to do to make sure you will be comfortable and the trails are open. Our favorite options (linked on the AllTrails website below) include hikes in both Oregon and Washington. WASHINGTON Cape Horn (7.1 miles) Beacon Rock (1.8 miles) Dog Mountain (6.9 miles) Catherine Creek (2.1 miles) Gillette Lake (4 miles) Rodney Falls and the Pool of the Winds (2.5 miles) Strawberry Island (4 miles) Fort Cascade Historic Sites Trail (1.5 miles) Wind Mountain (2.7 miles) OREGON LaTourell Falls (2.4 miles) Rowena Crest (2.5 miles) Tom McCall Point (5 miles) Dry Creek Falls (4.2 miles) Wahclella Falls (2.4 miles) Horsetail-Oneonta Waterfalls Loop (2.7 miles)
Multnomah Falls
Truly spectacular! Located right off the highway, it is worth parking and taking a few photos in front of the falls. There are many day hikes located in the area as well for an extended afternoon in the Columbia River Gorge.
Stevenson
Skamania itself is oh-so-quaint with small town vibes. There is a variety of shops, restaurants, breweries, coffee houses, and even a farmer's market on Saturdays - all set against the stunning backdrop of the Columbia River Gorge.
Hood River and the Fruit Loop
Hood River is the perfect mix of historic and hip, with a downtown of old brick buildings that now house some of Oregon's favorite restaurants - all set against the backdrop of Mt. Hood. Once you've spent time in town, head out to experience the Fruit Loop, a self-guided 35-mile driving route lets you encounter 30 on-the-farm fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and fields of flowers just outside of Hood River. Visit the website for a route map and full list of stands!
Columbia River Gorge Wine and Beer Tasting
The Skamania Lodge website is an awesome resource to find wineries, wine tasting rooms, breweries, and distilleries in the area. There are also tours available for the folks that want someone else to do the driving! Hood River, Oregon also has quite a few options if you want to hit up more than one in close proximity.