Portland is a hip city full of incredible breweries and cafes, interesting architecture, beautiful views, and an amazing arts scene.
However, if you’re visiting Portland, you’d be remiss to not enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty that lies right outside the city. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing little escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, or are just a nature person, these tours are perfect for you.
I’ve carefully curated a guide to the 7 top Portland waterfall tours, which are organized by experts who know the lush landscape like the back of their hand! I love all of these experiences and I know you will too, so let’s jump right in!
Be sure to see our reviews of Willamette Valley Wine Tours From Portland.
Best Multnomah & Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tours
| Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, OR | Private - 1/2 day Columbia River Gorge & Waterfalls Tour From Portland | Full-Day Mt Hood Waterfall Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting | |
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| Location: | 900 SW Taylor St, Portland | 720 SW Broadway Portland, (or hotel pickup and drop-off option) | 523 NE 19th Ave, Portland |
| Start: | 8:30 AM, 1:00 & 2:00 PM | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| Duration: | 4 hours | 4 hours | 8 to 9 hours |
| Includes: | Luxury passenger van, Knowledgeable, local guide, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, Live commentary | Local guide, live commentary on board, transportation | Lunch, Snacks, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, PA system to hear the guide from the back row |
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Portland Waterfalls Tours For 2024
- Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, OR
- Private – 1/2 day Columbia River Gorge & Waterfalls Tour From Portland
- Full-Day Mt Hood Waterfall Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting
- Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls & Mt Hood Tour from Portland, OR
- Hike and Bike Tour to Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour
- Morning Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour
Best Portland Waterfalls Tour Reviews
1. Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, OR
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: 900 SW Taylor St, Portland
- Departure Time: 8:30 AM, 1:00 & 2:00 PM
- Includes: Transportation in a luxury passenger van, Knowledgeable, local, friendly guide, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, Live commentary throughout the tour
If you’re looking to really take advantage of some of Oregon’s most breathtaking natural beauty, it’s hard to beat this first tour!
The Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, OR is a 4-hour experience that’s ideal for those visiting the area for the first time or who simply want to catch some fresh air!
With a group size of just 12 participants (max), this tour is as intimate as it is engaging, with an educated guide taking you through impressive viewpoints, historic locations, and much more.
Our journey started off at the beautiful Director Park on SW Taylor St, which is super easy to get to from most places in Portland, but the local transportation will take you there in just a few minutes if you’re too far to walk.
Once we met with our guide and the rest of our group, we were given a quick briefing as what to expect over the next few hours and he answered any questions we had.
We then boarded a luxury passenger van to set off to Columbia River Gorge, with our guide telling us some pretty cool facts and stories about the area along the way.
The Columbia River Gorge is absolutely amazing, from the scenery to the history, as we learned it was actually the first planned scenic roadway in the entire country!
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We first stopped at the Crown Point Vista House, which sits over 700 feet above the Columbia River. It is essentially what’s left of lava flow that came through the area around 15 million years ago.
Latourell Falls and Multnomah Falls are probably the most famous, with the latter being the highest waterfall in the state and second-highest in the US!
We saw a couple of other stunning falls, with plenty of time to explore, take photos and videos, and just stroll around at our leisure. I do recommend taking some waterproof shoes with a good tread on them, as well as a jacket, as it’s not uncommon for it to be a bit windy and rainy.
Overall, this is an excellent tour for any traveler, no matter the age or even interest level, as I believe anyone will find this experience engaging!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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2. Private – 1/2 day Columbia River Gorge & Waterfalls Tour From Portland
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: 720 SW Broadway Portland, (or hotel pickup and drop-off option)
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM
- Includes: Local guide, live commentary on board, transportation
If you have some time in the morning in your schedule, I highly recommend adding the Private – 1/2 Day Columbia River Gorge & Waterfalls Tour from Portland to your agenda!
The Pacific Northwest is prime for outdoor adventures, and this specific area of the PNW is truly special, from towering cliffs to cascading waterfalls. Better yet, it’s a completely private tour, so the only people going on the quest with you and your guide are the others in your party!
The first time I saw this area, I drove myself and while it was quite fun as well, it didn’t allow me to fully see all of the beauty around me as I was focusing on the road.
This way is so much more relaxing, allowing me to take it all in, snap photos along the way, and just focus on what the guide is saying. I appreciated that this tour included the option to pick us up from our hotel, which only added to the convenience!
As we cruised along in our luxury Mercedes Benz van, our guide told us all about the area, the history of Oregon, and so much more. The windows were nice and big, and the seats were padded, making for a very comfortable ride.
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Our first stop was at the famous Multnomah Falls, which consists of 6 flows of Grande Ronde Basalt, representing nearly half a million years in geological history!
The Columbia River Gorge was also interesting, and our guide told us about how it’s been a major transportation route, as well as a source of fishing and drinking water dating back to ancient times!
Seeing the Bonneville Lock & Dam was pretty cool, complete with the salmon ladders which we learned about in terms of its importance during spawning and also got to see plenty of these guys in the water!
It was a great tour for getting to know more about Oregon’s geology, history, and just how important nature is.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Full-Day Mt Hood Waterfall Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting
- Duration: 8 to 9 hours
- Departure: 523 NE 19th Ave, Portland
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Lunch, Snacks, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, PA system to hear the guide from the back row
If you’re looking for an all-day adventure that will take you to one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the PNW, this is it.
As one of only a couple of full-day tours in this area that I recommend, you can expect ample time to really see the scenery, enjoy the wine country, and see just as many hidden gems as famous landmarks.
The Full-Day Mt Hood Waterfall Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting is a great way to do a deep dive into the parts of Oregon many locals have yet to even see.
Quite possibly the only thing I would like to have improved would be the pickup situation, as they only offer 3 consolidated pickup spots. Of course, this is much more convenient than just having one, but I would’ve appreciated a hotel pickup.
Aside from that though, all was amazing, starting off with our sweet and knowledgeable tour guide who truly knew the area like the back of her hand.
We traveled in our air-conditioned vehicle straight into the heart of the Columbia River Valley, passing by nude beaches and stunning waterfalls, ranging from little quirky ones to the famously towering Multnomah Falls!
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The Bonneville Hatchery and Lock & Dam were very interesting to see and learn about, as well as the Bridge of the Gods relevance to the Pacific Crest Trail.
However, the active stratovolcano that is Mount Hood topped my list, with its incredible beauty that dominates much of the skyline in Oregon and southern Washington.
We even got to head up to the famous Timberline Lodge, learning how it was dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt nearly 100 years ago and still remains one of the biggest and most unique structures in all of Oregon.
After all that exploring, we took a break for a delicious pizza lunch as we all chatted about the cool things we’d seen and learned about that day! I can’t recommend it enough if you really want to go all in and get the opportunity to see Mount Hood in all its glory!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls & Mt Hood Tour from Portland, OR
- Duration: 8 hours
- Departure: 900 SW Taylor St, Portland
- Departure Time: 8:30 AM
- Includes: Transportation in a luxury passenger van, Knowledgeable, local and friendly guide, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, Live commentary throughout the tour
This is the only other full-day tour of the Columbia River Gorge that I really loved, offering a seamlessly-planned journey into some of the most awe-inspiring places around.
The Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls & Mt Hood Tour from Portland, OR covers varied landscapes led by expert guides to really maximize the experience, with captivating commentary and fun facts throughout.
With a maximum group size of just 12 participants, this is an intimate experience with plenty of opportunity to customize the route a bit depending on your preferences.
I’d say this is one of the best tour options if it’s your first time in Oregon or would simply like to go on a nice “intro” journey into the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood.
Meet up in downtown Portland with your guide and the rest of your small group to board your luxury passenger van and head out to the Gorge.
The van was one of the more comfortable I’d been on, with large windows for unobstructed viewing, and big seats that made it all too easy to fall asleep in.
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The gorgeous Historic Columbia River Highway was constructed over 100 years ago, offering some of the most breathtaking sights high above the river.
It quite literally crosses over the extremes of the state’s landscape, from lush greenery to more dry desert-like areas. The Crown Point Vista House was our first actual stop, which was aptly named as you do get to experience some of the most fantastic 360-degree vistas from here.
After seeing various beautiful falls (including the notorious Multnomah Falls), we stopped at Hood River for a tasty lunch at a little local eatery that hit the spot!
After fueling up, we headed south, through the fairytale-like Fruit Loop orchards, lavender farms, and even stopped at a farm stand (I grabbed a couple of peaches and some grapes!).
Once in Mount Hood National Forest, we had an absolute blast being surrounded by ethereal natural scenery and head inside Timberline Lodge to wrap up a magical day!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Hike and Bike Tour to Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Departure: 833 SE Main St, Portland
- Departure Time: n/a
- Includes: Use of bicycle and helmet, bottled water, air-conditioned vehicle
Oregon is the perfect location for hikers and bikers, with ample scenic beauty to offer neverending routes and new lookouts to explore. While it can be hard finding the best routes to take as a visitor, this next tour has a professional guide to lead the way.
The Hike and Bike Tour to Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls tour has everything you need for a workout with some of the most stunning landscapes in the world.
We met up with our guides in downtown Portland, where we were fitted with out bikes, along with helmets to ensure everyone is safe and comfortable.
We then boarded a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to head out to the Gorge. Thanks to the small group size, we all fit in the van easily and were able to meet some other travelers without feeling like just another head in the crowd.
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If for whatever reason you don’t want to or can’t ride/hike for any part of the journey, they also give you the option to ride along in the van next to the bikers/hikers so you don’t miss out on any scenery.
Once we got to the Gorge, we all hopped on our bikes and set off on a beautiful route, making stops at the famous Vista House, Bridal Veil Falls, and Multnomah Falls. Once at Horsetail Falls, we got off our bikes and walked around in the misty forest and into the creek featuring plunge-style waterfalls!
Of course, as this is a private tour, you do get to have some say in the exact route/form of transportation you take, so your tour could vary a little bit.
However, I’ll say that our guide did a great job at making us feel safe and comfortable, no matter where we went. With tons of facts and fun stories along the way, this is definitely the perfect tour for any outdoor adventurers.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
6. Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 2:00 PM
- Includes: Expert local guide, transport by Mercedes-Benz sprinter van
Portland is one of my favorite cities in the world, with plenty to do inside the metropolis, while being surrounded by some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world.
If you’d like to venture outside the hustle and bustle of Portland, check out the Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland! It’s one of the shortest of the bunch, and perfect if you’d like to get a little taste of the beauty this region has to offer.
If you have the afternoon free, it’s a nice way to see the area firsthand, from lush forests to towering cliffs! I also appreciated that they offered a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, so we didn’t have to deal with walking or Ubering over to a meetup point.
We met with our guide and boarded a comfortable Mercedes-Benz sprinter van, enjoying the postcard-like landscapes as we cruised onto the Columbia River Highway.
One of the absolute highlights of this tour for me was seeing the legendary Multnomah Falls, which is one of the most famous in the entire Pacific Northwest.
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They’re the tallest in Oregon and the second-tallest in the country, with cascading waters framed by beautiful greenery and rugged cliffs.
We had plenty of time to explore, snapping photos and videos of the falls while feeling the refreshing mist on our skin.
In addition, we got to stop at many other picturesque waterfalls along the gorge as our guide regaled us with interesting insights into the area’s history, geology, and ecology.
They even spotted some deer, pointing them out to us! If you’re looking for a fun activity for the entire family, look no further than this one!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
7. Morning Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Local guide, transport by Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, bottled water
Aside from the previous tour, the Morning Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland is the shortest on my guide. Starting at 9:00 am, it’s the perfect option if you only have the morning available in your busy schedule.
With fun and professional guides and hotel pickups and drop-offs included, it couldn’t be more convenient!
Once we were picked up by our guide in a nice little Mercedes-Benz sprinter van, I admittedly fell asleep for the first half of our journey out to the Columbia River Gorge as I got too comfortable!
The breathtakingly gorgeous canyon carved by the mighty Columbia River is perfect for just soaking in or snapping some photos of.
The panoramic views of the gorge are unmatchable, with our guide telling us interesting history about the geology and how it was formed millions of years ago!
One of the biggest highlights of our tour was our visit to Multnomah Falls, standing an impressive 620 feet tall into a serene pool below.
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It was crazy to see the raw power and beauty of these towering falls up close, and we also got to see them from the viewing platform and closer to the base. Aside from Multnomah, we stopped at the HOrsetail Falls and other hidden gems known for their unique charm.
Our guide was not only obviously knowledgeable about the area, but provided us with plenty of great recommendations of things to do and restaurants to visit in Portland.
We realized we had to allocate more time in the area, because there were simply too many cool things to see! Of course, this was one of the most special moments we had in Oregon, and will likely do it again soon!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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The Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, OR is our Editors Choice for the best Portland waterfalls tour
