Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler River Excursions - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Everyday 10am - 6pm

503.224.3900

$32 - $66

Service dogs are welcome

lat: 45.6713887 long: -121.8928251

“The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler operates cruises on the Columbia River depart from the Cascade Locks Marine Park several times per day, May through October. Guests can enjoy memorable one or two hour narrated sightseeing excursions, weekend champagne brunch cruises, dinner cruises, and a variety of special event and holiday cruises. The Locks Waterfront Grill offers delicious locally sourced cuisine with indoor and outdoor seating, located at the Marine Park visitors center. Open Year-round.”

Experience the history of the Columbia River Gorge and learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition on a cruise aboard the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. We board from Marine Park at Cascade Locks, in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Enjoy riverboat cruises on our authentic triple-deck paddle wheeler, providing 360 degrees of breathtaking vistas. Watch Native American tribes fish from their legendary platforms as they have for centuries. Meal Cruises and Sightseeing excursions are available. Step on board for a unique viewing of the Columbia River Gorge.

The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler is operated by Portland Spirit River Cruises which operates in Downtown Portland, Oregon with a fleet of 5 vessels offering year-round sightseeing and dining cruises.

Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler

Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler

Interior

Marine Park

Interior Lower Deck

Interior Lower Deck

Captain Tom Cramblett

Captain Tom Cramblett

Exterior Deck

Bonneville Dam Locks

Bonneville Dam Locks

Cruising Through the Gorge

Cruising Through the Gorge

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Greene Bronze Studio

Greene Bronze Studio

Greene Bronze, Wa Na Pa Street, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 0.20 Away

Galleries and Venues

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Tribal Salmon – Cascade Locks Treaty In-Lieu Site

Tribal Salmon – Cascade Locks Treaty In-Lieu Site

Cascade Locks Marine Park, 355 Wa Na Pa St, Cascade Locks, OR 97014, USA
Distance: 0.32 Away

Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences

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Cascade Locks Historical Museum

Cascade Locks Historical Museum

Cascade Locks Historical Museum, Southwest Portage Road, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 0.35 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Brigham Fish Market

Brigham Fish Market

Brigham Fish Market, Wa Na Pa Street, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 0.53 Away

Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences

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Columbia River Salmon Sales: Cascade Locks, Oregon

Columbia River Salmon Sales: Cascade Locks, Oregon

681 Cascade Locks Highway, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 0.53 Away

Galleries and Venues Food and Drinks

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Tribal Salmon – Bridgeside Restaurant Parking Lot

Tribal Salmon – Bridgeside Restaurant Parking Lot

Bridgeside, Wa Na Pa Street, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 0.65 Away

Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences

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Bridge of the Gods

Bridge of the Gods

Bridge of the Gods, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 0.74 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Skamania Lodge

Skamania Lodge

Skamania Lodge, Southwest Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson, WA, USA
Distance: 1.15 Away

Lodging Outdoor Experiences

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Port of Skamania County

Port of Skamania County

Port of Skamania, Southwest Cascade Avenue, Stevenson, Skamania County, WA, USA
Distance: 1.45 Away

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Walking Man Brewing

Walking Man Brewing

Walking Man Brewing, 1st Street, Stevenson, WA, USA
Distance: 1.51 Away

Food and Drinks Breweries and Distilleries

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Stevenson Farmers’ Market

Stevenson Farmers’ Market

Stevenson Farmers Market, Southwest Cascade Avenue, Stevenson, WA, USA
Distance: 1.53 Away

Festivals and Events Food and Drinks Outdoor Experiences Shopping

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Wild Columbia Salmon- Stevenson

Wild Columbia Salmon- Stevenson

Wild Columbia Salmon, 1st Street, Stevenson, WA, USA
Distance: 1.53 Away

Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences

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Sign Up for the Lewis & Clark Trail Experience Newsletter

Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive the Lewis and Clark Travel Experience newsletter provided by the Lewis & Clark Trail Alliance. You can revoke your consent at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

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Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monum

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

William Clark christened the rock formation “Pompey’s Tower” on July 25, 1806, as he and his party descended the Yellowstone River. Clark gave the huge monolith the nickname that he himself had fondly bestowed upon Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Nicholas Biddle, as he edited the journals upon Lewis and Clark’s return, changed the name to “Pompey’s Pillar.”

Pompey’s Pillar is known for being the only site with visible physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s journey: Clark carved his name and the date onto the rock’s face. Now covered by a clear panel, the signature is protected from the elements while still being visible to visitors willing to climb up the steps to see it. Visitors can continue up the steps to the top of the rock where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape surrounding the site. There is also a highly informative and very well-designed visitor’s center at the base of Pompey’s Pillar, along with several outdoor educational structures and hiking trails.

Photos credited to Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pompeyspillar #Montana #pompeyspillarnationalmonument

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

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Here’s a summary of a recent video you can find there:

“The phrase "Point of Departure" originates from Captain Meriwether Lewis himself. On May 14, 1804, he wrote in his journal: "The mouth of the River Dubois is to be considered as the point of departure." That spring day, as the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out from what is now Wood River Creek, they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the United States.

After more than a year of preparation, the Expedition launched from Camp River Dubois on May 14, 1804. The crew included Captain William Clark, Clark’s enslaved servant York, interpreter George Drouillard, Seaman the dog, 34 enlisted men, and several French engagés—all traveling in a barge and two large pirogues. Their destination: uncharted territory up the Missouri River, starting with a stop in St. Charles where Captain Meriwether Lewis joined them after traveling overland.

Preparation began in December 1803, with winter quarters built at Camp River Dubois, across from the Missouri River’s mouth. Lewis gathered intelligence from St. Louis traders and secured supplies and gifts for diplomacy with Native nations. Meanwhile, the soldiers trained under strict military discipline, preparing for the immense challenges ahead.

A pivotal moment came in March 1804, when Lewis and Clark witnessed the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France—and then, just one day later, to the United States. This marked the dawn of a new American frontier, and the Expedition was ready to set forth into the unknown.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvhg1Gs3cvs)

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages Nati

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

The Knife River area, according to archaeological studies, has been inhabited by people for over 11,000 years. For hundreds of years it was a significant place of trade for the local tribes, a characteristic that would eventually be used to the advantage of fur traders starting in 1750. It remained a place of trade and mixing cultures until a smallpox epidemic decimated the population in 1837. Following this, the local Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara moved north and established another village.

During the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Knife River villages were flourishing, providing a booming trading economy in what is modern-day North Dakota. It was from one of these villages that a young woman by the name of Sacagawea would emerge and take her place in the history of the expedition. She was Shoshone and had been taken captive by the Hidatsa during a raid against her tribe before she was won or otherwise purchased by French Canadian fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau.

Today, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Park has a visitors center as well as a rebuilt earthlodge which holds replica artifacts in the summer months. Knowledgeable park rangers are available for tours, and there are multiple trails of varying lengths that are available to hike. There are birding checklists available in the visitors center, so make sure to pick one up so you can keep an eye out for the various bird varieties that are present at the site.

https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm

Photos credited to Cait Clark

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #kniferiver #kniferiverindianvillagesnationhistoricsite #nationalparkservice #northdakota

Are you close to the Lewis and Clark Trail in the

Are you close to the Lewis and Clark Trail in the Cincinnati area? Do you need to hike off some of those Thanksgiving pounds? Check out the California Woods Nature Preserve!

California Woods, located in the California neighborhood east of Cincinnati, contains 113-acres of forest and year-round education programming for all nature lovers! The park features 53 species of trees, more than 200 species of herbaceous plants and is adjacent to the Magrish Preserve, which has been designated as an Important Birding Area. Lick Run Creek passes through this preserve, and is home to kingfishers, snapping turtles, small fish, a myriad of invertebrates and the occasional visit from grebes, mallards, wood ducks, and even beavers.

Take a hike on one of California’s trails, and be on the lookout for pileated woodpeckers and perhaps you’ll also spot a great horned owl among the tall sycamores. There is also a beautiful butterfly and hummingbird garden located directly in front of the nature center.

https://www.lewisandclark.travel/listing/california-woods-nature-preserve/

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #californiawoodsnaturepreserve #cincinnati #ohio

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.