Cascade Locks, Oregon, is nestled in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge east of Portland Oregon. Known for its stunning scenery and numerous waterfalls the area is named after the historic locks built to navigate the rapids of the Columbia River before the construction of the Bonneville Dam.

Bonneville Lock and Dam

The Bonneville Lock and Dam is a historic and impressive structure on the Columbia River. Built during the 1930s as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, it was one of the first large-scale hydroelectric projects in the United States. The dam provides hydroelectric power, aids river navigation, and offers recreational opportunities. The dam complex includes a powerhouse, a navigation lock, and fish passage facilities like fish ladders, which are vital for salmon and steelhead migration. The Bonneville Lock and Dam is also a marvel of engineering, showcasing early efforts to harness the power of the Columbia River while balancing environmental considerations. The surrounding area offers beautiful views, picnic spots, and access to hiking trails like the Bonneville Trail, making it a favorite destination for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and families.

We walked all over the dam, museum and the locks. The ladders included a tour of all three levels and of the underground viewing windows where you can see the fish navigate upstream thru several of the ladders. There is person at a viewing window that counts and identifies each fish that comes thru. It was fascinating!

Waterfalls

What is it about waterfalls that is so mesmerizing and beautiful? We took it as our challenge to drive and hike to as many as we could while in this area. The trails were narrow, very steep, challenging and fun. Some of the drives to the various falls were narrow and challenging too in our dually truck. It was a great experience.

Multnomah Falls is one of the most iconic and breathtaking natural landmarks in Oregon. This stunning waterfall plunges a total of 620 feet in two tiers, making it the tallest waterfall in the state and one of the most photographed spots in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can enjoy the view from the base of the falls, where the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge offers a visitor center, gift shop, and restaurant. For a closer look, a short hike leads to the Benson Bridge, a picturesque footbridge spanning the lower cascade, offering stunning views of both tiers of the waterfall. For more adventurous hikers, a trail continues to the top of the falls, providing panoramic views of the gorge.

Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful two-tiered waterfall. Surrounded by lush greenery, the falls drop a total of about 120 feet, cascading gracefully and resembling a delicate bridal veil—hence the name. The falls are accessible via a short scenic hike from the Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint. The trail leads through a forested area with moss-covered trees and ferns, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. There’s also a second trail at the park that offers sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge, making it a great spot for photography. Bridal Veil Falls is a quieter alternative to the busier Multnomah Falls, offering a peaceful retreat and an opportunity to connect with nature.

True to its name, Horsetail Fall resembles a horse’s tail as it gracefully plunges 176 feet into a pool below. It’s one of the most easily accessible waterfalls in the gorge, as it’s visible right from the roadside, making it a convenient and beautiful stop for visitors. For those wanting more adventure, the Horsetail Falls Trail offers a short hike that leads to Upper Horsetail Falls (also called Ponytail Falls), where you can walk behind the cascading water – a unique and refreshing experience.

Latourell Falls is another stunning waterfall known for its impressive, sheer drop of 249 feet. It’s one of the easiest falls to access in the Gorge, thanks to its location along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The waterfall is unique for its striking vertical column of basalt rock, which creates a beautiful contrast with the lush green surroundings. Visitors can enjoy the falls from a viewpoint near the parking area, but if you’re up for a bit of adventure, the Latourell Falls Trail offers a short but scenic hike that loops around the falls, taking you to the base where you can get a closer look. The trail also continues further into the forest, providing views of the surrounding landscape and other small waterfalls.

Vista House

Vista House is a historic and iconic landmark perched high above the Columbia River Gorge. Located at the top of Crown Point, the Vista House offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Gorge, the Columbia River, and surrounding mountains, including Mount Hood and Mount Adams. It’s one of the most popular viewpoints along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The building itself, constructed in 1917, is a beautiful example of early 20th-century architecture and serves as a memorial to the pioneers who settled in the area. The structure’s large windows offer spectacular views, making it a must-stop spot for anyone visiting the Gorge. Inside, there’s a visitor center with exhibits about the history of the area, the construction of the highway, and the region’s geology. House is especially stunning at sunrise or sunset when the light reflects off the river and surrounding cliffs. It’s a perfect place to take in the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge while learning about its history.

Park Review – Ainsworth State Park

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Location: Cascade Locks, OR
Type: State Park
Check-in/Check-out times: 4:00/1:00
Site Quality / Amenities: The roads and pads are asphalt. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The A sites are longer pull-thru sites while the B sites are either back-ins or short circular pull-throughs. All sites are full hookups with 50A power.
Access: From I-84 take exit 35 and go back west toward Multnomah Falls on OR-30 / Historic Columbia River Highway. The entrance to the park is about 0.2 mile after you get on OR-30 and the signs are somewhat small. The park map inaccurately shows the entrance to be 1 mile in. Be sure you don’t miss the entrance as there isn’t any place to turn around and vehicle length and weight is restricted beyond the park.
Staff: The park operates “touch free” so you just put your documentation on the dash and go to the site. A ranger comes around in the evening and follows up with you to make sure you are registered. The ranger that came by was very helpful and answered all the questions we had about the park and about a nearby wildfire.
Cellular/WiFi: Verizon was marginal at our site. Starlink was obstructed by the heavy tree cover but it still managed to work with some buffering when streaming.
Nearby parks: We didn’t look at any other parks nearby.
What we liked: Close proximity to the Historic Columbia River Highway corridor with numerous waterfalls and trails. With trees and ground cover there is a fair amount of privacy between sites.
What we didn’t like: The park had areas that were tight to navigate for larger rigs and there were some low hanging limbs. There is a busy train track that goes right by the park and many people complain about the noise. We didn’t find that to be a problem as they rarely blew their horns so mostly it was just a low rumble. The highway noise was much more noticeable but again it wasn’t enough to keep us awake at night.
Verdict: We would stay here again if in the area.