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Savor a Sunday brunch on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler while cruising past basalt cliffs and verdant forests. Enjoy expert storytelling and panoramic river views in this unique Gorge experience.
Savor a Sunday brunch on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler while cruising past basalt cliffs and verdant forests. Enjoy expert storytelling and panoramic river views in this unique Gorge experience.
Book with Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler · Cascade Locks, Oregon
The Columbia River Gorge, cutting a dramatic corridor between Oregon and Washington, is a realm of towering basalt cliffs, dense forests, and rushing rivers – a living geological museum carved by Ice Age floods. In Cascade Locks, Oregon, the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler offers a distinctive way to take in this landscape: a two-hour Sunday Brunch Cruise aboard a beautifully maintained paddleboat. This isn’t just a meal on the water; it’s an immersive journey that pairs a gourmet brunch buffet with panoramic views of the river’s winding path through steep canyon walls.
Boarding promptly at 10:45 a.m. from the Sternwheeler dock, guests settle into comfortable seating as the vessel gently sets off. The live narration from seasoned captains brings the Gorge’s history alive—from Native American cultural heritage to tales of early river navigation and the natural forces shaping the cliffs and unique flora. You’ll spot columnar basalt formations and patches of Oregon grape and Douglas fir lining the riverbanks, while the water itself supports an ecosystem home to bald eagles and osprey.
The brunch buffet offers a selection of fresh, locally inspired dishes, complemented by bottomless mimosas, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. The Sternwheeler staff prides itself on warm, attentive service, making this trip ideal for families, couples, and anyone celebrating a special occasion. The vessel is wheelchair accessible, ensuring broad access to all guests. This cruise stands out in the Gorge area for combining exceptional cuisine with an educational narrative and unrivaled river views—a blend of culinary and natural adventure.
Whether you’re a local or visiting from Portland, just 40 minutes west, this brunch cruise is a way to slow down, savor the Gorge from a unique vantage point, and connect with its layered stories and ever-changing scenery. A trip with Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler is less a tour and more a moving celebration of the Pacific Northwest’s wild, rugged heart.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for guests of all fitness levels – mostly seated with easy boarding access.
Yes, the Sternwheeler is wheelchair accessible, including the bathrooms and main deck areas.
Boarding starts at 10:45 a.m., with departure at 11:00 a.m. and return by 1:00 p.m.
Bottomless mimosas, coffee, tea, soda, and water are included; a full-service bar is available for additional drinks.
Yes, the cruise is suitable for all ages, providing a family-friendly experience.
Yes, easy-access parking is available near the Sternwheeler dock in Cascade Locks.
Absolutely. Simply inform the staff in advance to help make your celebration memorable.
The Columbia Gorge was a vital transportation and trade corridor for Native American tribes and later for pioneers navigating this rugged passage by boat.
Efforts to protect native fish species and preserve the scenic Gorge are ongoing, with sustainable tourism practices promoted by local businesses like Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler.
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler operates out of Cascade Locks, Oregon, offering scenic river cruises and related experiences on the Columbia River. The company runs a range of scheduled trips including expedition cruises that loop the gorge, sunset cruises, dinner cruises, brunch cruises, lockage tours through the Bonneville Dam locks, and special event sailings such as Independence Day fireworks cruises. Onboard narration is provided by seasoned captains who share local history, river facts, and natural highlights like Multnomah Falls and Beacon Rock. The Sternwheeler features spacious outdoor decks, a full-service dockside bar for guests 21 and over, and accessible boarding where available. In Cascade Locks Marine Park, the business also provides reliable, fully charged golf cart rentals for exploring the park on one-hour, half-day, or full-day reservations with pickup and drop-off service. Reservations and online booking are recommended because popular cruises and rentals often fill in advance. Safety is maintained through experienced crew, standard vessel inspections, and adherence to local regulations for passenger vessels. The variety of offerings suits families, couples, and groups seeking scenic sightseeing, dining cruises, narrated history tours, or private events. As a locally based operator in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, the Sternwheeler connects visitors with the river’s natural beauty and engineering landmarks while providing hospitality, narration, and convenient booking options. Certain lockage tours feature Captain Tom sharing locks and dam insights; onboard offerings include snacks, local craft beer and wine, signature cocktails at the Dockside Bar, buffet options for special events, and private charters by request.
Book with Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler