The Dalles
The Dalles
4
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
34 within 3 miles
Attractions
30 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
156 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
53
Average
22
Poor
6
Terrible
1
etweeden
London, UK749 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
For the first three years of the Oregon trail, the wagons stopped here, and the settlers had to raft and portage their way west to Oregon City and their new lives in the west. These were the years before the Barlow Toll Road was built, and they often involved dying on the River Rapids, losing everything when Rafts broke up or foundered, and ending up in Orego City impoverished and without possessions. The Dalles is French for 'ditch' or 'narrows' and used to consist of Celilio Falls and several gorge-like narrows, rapid and a 150 foot drop. In the name of 'modern progress' a dam put all of this beneath a lake! The area is still very scenic, but has lost any physical resemblance to its history. There are several places to visit in the Dalles. Lewis and Clark camped here in both directions, 1805 and 1806 (w 1st Street between Union and W Webber. The Ezra Meeker marker in City Park is the point at which wagon riding pioneers had to learn to become river travellers - it is the first 'end' of the Oregon Trail. Two other very early places in the neighbourhood are the City Hall and Carnegie Library. The two best Museums in the area are the Fort Dalles Museum (the old surgeon's house and the original Anderson Farmhouse survive, and there is a huge collection of 19th century vehicles). In season (mid-May to Labor Day) 10-5. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center on the north edge of town (5000 Discovery Drive) has a very interesting series of exhibits, including one on all the challenges faced by Lewis and Clark. It is open 9-5 except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. $9 per adult. Enjoy!
Written August 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loveesa
10 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We were not prepared for the wind. All visitors should have double jacket with them while visiting this old town.
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Av8trx90277
Redondo Beach, CA83 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
We are active and inquiring so two days in this area was great. We loved the walk/hike up to the old tunnels, the Discovery Center, the Bonneville Dam and Fish Ladder and that awful/ terrible/ wonderful climb up that big volcano cone, Beacon Rock.
Written October 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MartyW60
Concord, NH238 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
I loved the feel of this town starting with the Fort Dalles Floozies who were around town promoting the town's history to the street light banners with veterans photos and service information. There were interesting shops and places to eat along the main street as well, and I enjoyed hearing the local banter about high school sports and doings when I stopped at one. The Fire Museum and the Courthouse Museum are right in the downtown area. The Fort Dalles Museum is also worth a stop but is a little walk off Main Street, and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center requires a car to get there but is a very nice museum. I just found the whole area very appealing.
Written August 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
STEVEGD118595
Gladstone, OR59 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
The Dalles is the kind of place that makes you feel comfortable. Once you explore the town and meet a few of it's people, you become more convinced that it is a place in which you would like to live. The people are all so friendly and helpful, it is like asomeone took a hunk of "middle America" and deposited it here! I don't think I have ever encountered such a friendly place!
At one point, the town was was dying, do the closure of some major businesses. Someone was able to rise above these issues and encourage small businesses and brewries (wineries) to take up here. Just visit the museums, the parks, or take in a majestic viw of the land from Sorosis Park. It seems as though most everyone in The Dalles has a good story about the town and loves to tell it. If something were to happen to move me out of my current abode, I would consider moving there. Everything one needs is available there.
At one point, the town was was dying, do the closure of some major businesses. Someone was able to rise above these issues and encourage small businesses and brewries (wineries) to take up here. Just visit the museums, the parks, or take in a majestic viw of the land from Sorosis Park. It seems as though most everyone in The Dalles has a good story about the town and loves to tell it. If something were to happen to move me out of my current abode, I would consider moving there. Everything one needs is available there.
Written October 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hardtoplease75
Irrigon, OR308 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
The Dalles is a water front city that has a lot to offer the visitor.......small shops, interesting wine venues, restaurants to sit in and relax as well as water sports and rentals. The Safeway store is clean and friendly. I was surprisingly impressed. A nice place to visit.
Written July 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA212,260 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
I was exploring the Columbia River Gorge from Portland to Dalles. I enjoyed my time at the Dalles and explore:
1) The Dalles Dam - I was in Dalles on an exceptionally clear day and had some awesome views of Mt. Hood from here as well.
2) The Dalles Bridge
3) Fort Dalles Museum
4) and the excellent museum combination of The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Museum
I also enjoyed some shopping as well as lunch at the cafe at the The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center called the Basalt Rock Cafe.
All in all it was a very pleasant visit to the Dalles area.
1) The Dalles Dam - I was in Dalles on an exceptionally clear day and had some awesome views of Mt. Hood from here as well.
2) The Dalles Bridge
3) Fort Dalles Museum
4) and the excellent museum combination of The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Museum
I also enjoyed some shopping as well as lunch at the cafe at the The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center called the Basalt Rock Cafe.
All in all it was a very pleasant visit to the Dalles area.
Written September 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ballietm
Michigan84 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We drove over for the day from Cascade Locks on our recent trip to the Columbia Gorge... Well, it's a way bigger town than I thought and VERY INDUSTRIAL (which is great). I thought it would be a very cool and recreational town, but not... We stayed about a half hour and was outta of there. Definitely Hood River is the place to be along the Gorge!
Written May 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichVW
Independence, Oregon, USA193 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
On the east end of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, The Dalles offers more than great wind surfing. The dam ("The Dalles Dam") is worth a visit because of its size, tours, and parks. The nearby Columbia Hills State Park (Washington side) has great camping and swimming and the nearby Horsethief Butte is the best rock-climbing practice area in the northwest.
The city park (above the city) has views of both the the river and mountains (Hood and Adams). Don't forget to pick up some fruit during the picking season since it just doesn't get any better.
The city park (above the city) has views of both the the river and mountains (Hood and Adams). Don't forget to pick up some fruit during the picking season since it just doesn't get any better.
Written June 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pattiderenzo
Crestline, CA49 contributions
Sep 2019
Coming through the Columbia River gorge and the Dalles is a beautiful drive and well worth the trip. Stop and take a look at the Dam. Visit old town there. Lots to see
Written October 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there any boat excursions of the gorge out of the Dalles?
Written June 8, 2018
Yes. You can easily Google it and you will see several choices of boating excursions with seasonal dates etc. Hope this helps
Written June 8, 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing