Oregon-Columbia River Gorge

[tommymick]

Hello travelers,

We're planning a trip up through the Oregon High Desert, Pendleton, west along the Columbia River, and then south along the coast. We'd love to hear any ideas, recommendations, etc. Thanks in advance!

[RedRollingRoadb]

dedmiston wrote:

RedRollingRoadblock wrote:

enblethen wrote:
Hells canyon is on border of OR and ID. Many boat trips leave out of OR. Some previous left out of ID.
Yes, Hells Canyon is on the Snake River.
Rogue River Mail Boats are a great trip.

Doing the 80+ mile Mail Boat trip this summer with 12 and 9 YO grandsons. Can't wait.

That's a great trip. Should be on everyone's bucket list. Remember to tip your guide.

Never thought of that. So do I tip on how much the guide soaks the kids or how much they keep me dry? LOL

[dedmiston]

RedRollingRoadblock wrote:

enblethen wrote:
Hells canyon is on border of OR and ID. Many boat trips leave out of OR. Some previous left out of ID.
Yes, Hells Canyon is on the Snake River.
Rogue River Mail Boats are a great trip.

Doing the 80+ mile Mail Boat trip this summer with 12 and 9 YO grandsons. Can't wait.

That's a great trip. Should be on everyone's bucket list. Remember to tip your guide.

[RedRollingRoadb]

enblethen wrote:
Hells canyon is on border of OR and ID. Many boat trips leave out of OR. Some previous left out of ID.
Yes, Hells Canyon is on the Snake River.
Rogue River Mail Boats are a great trip.

Doing the 80+ mile Mail Boat trip this summer with 12 and 9 YO grandsons. Can't wait.

[rollexx]

As you are traveling West on 84, a few miles past Arlington, look for the Philippi Canyon exit.
From this point until you cross the John Day River about 5 miles further West, keep an eye out for the large local herd of Big Horn sheep along this stretch of highway. You will usually find them about halfway up the slope but have seen them many times right next to the road. Many full curl Rams.

[enblethen]

Hells canyon is on border of OR and ID. Many boat trips leave out of OR. Some previous left out of ID.
Yes, Hells Canyon is on the Snake River.
Rogue River Mail Boats are a great trip.

[tommymick]

cruiserjs wrote:

ScottG wrote:
We did a boat tour up Hells Canyon that was fun. It was a slow scenic tour with a lunch break (supplied). There are also jet boat trips that are fast and thrilling if your into that.

Wrong river!! You were on the Snake and NOT the Columbia. and not in Oregon!!

I think he meant the Rogue. We've heard about the trips out of Grants Pass called "Hellgate".....

[cruiserjs]

ScottG wrote:
We did a boat tour up Hells Canyon that was fun. It was a slow scenic tour with a lunch break (supplied). There are also jet boat trips that are fast and thrilling if your into that.

Wrong river!! You were on the Snake and NOT the Columbia. and not in Oregon!!

[tommymick]

rhagfo wrote:

tommymick wrote:
Thanks for all the replies! Especially to Donn0128 for advice on driving around Portland; we want to get to US30 and Astoria, but don't want to drive through downtown Portland....
We're going in May/June, and have our CG reservations already. We're looking for fun things to do along the way.

Just curious where are your reservations for in Oregon? Are they mostly private or state parks?

We're staying in a State Park CG (near Ashland), commercial and a couple of KOAs

[Lauren]

Glad you are going north to south on the Coast.

Done it a few times. Agree with catkins on the non-state parks. Love the ones he mentioned in OR.

Do not really expect a "gorge" for the Columbia River - it is a big, wide beautiful valley.

RV'd to OR - all over the state - 5 times and love it; especially the Coast.

Have fun - be safe.

[rhagfo]

tommymick wrote:
Thanks for all the replies! Especially to Donn0128 for advice on driving around Portland; we want to get to US30 and Astoria, but don't want to drive through downtown Portland....
We're going in May/June, and have our CG reservations already. We're looking for fun things to do along the way.

Just curious where are your reservations for in Oregon? Are they mostly private or state parks?

[wxtoad]

We did your trip a few years ago, but in the opposite direction - up the coast and the east along the Columbia. Here are some pix and notes about the campgrounds we stayed at:

Harris Beach SP
Cape Blanco SP
Bastendorf County Park
Winchester Bay RV Resort
Cape Lookout SP
Fort Stevens SP
Ainsworth SP
Le Page Park - COE
Plymouth Park - COE
Hood Park - COE

There are quite a few other OR state parks as well as a good number of free COE dry-camping spots along the river.

Have a great trip!
Ted H.

[catkins]

If you are travelling during the summer months, having reservations will be a must especially along the OR coast.

State parks are absolutely awesome in Oregon. We like Canon Beach but no state park close by. Drive with NO RV into Ecola State PArk near Canon Beach. GREAT views.

Long Beach WA is just across the bridge from Astoria OR and located on the longest peninsula in the US. Beach town, great restaurants and long beach/Boardwalk to walk. Well worth a very short side trip/stay.

Be aware that coastal fog may hinder views along the Oregon coast during summer but usually lifts by 10-11AM. Coastal highway in OR is basically two lane but totally drivable with your RV. Lots of people on the road in summer so with some infrequent curvy and hilly areas, plan on slower travel times.

Favorite non state parks:
Anderson's RV park Long Beach WA
Canon Beach RV Park Canon Beach OR
Winchester Bay RV Park Winchester Oregon

State Park- Beverly Beach near Newport Oregon

It will be a beautiful trip. Enjoy!!!

[rbtglove]

In the Gorge we use Ainsworth State park very scenic near Multnomah Falls and as mentioned Memaloose State Park near the Dalles great view of the River. Both have full service sites.

[tommymick]

Thanks for all the replies! Especially to Donn0128 for advice on driving around Portland; we want to get to US30 and Astoria, but don't want to drive through downtown Portland....
We're going in May/June, and have our CG reservations already. We're looking for fun things to do along the way.