Columbia Gorge Cruises

09/13/2024

Only a few days remain to jet to the Columbia River Gorge on our 7 Wonders of the Gorge Cruise! ⚓️🌅 Remaining dates are September 14th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 21st, 25th, 27th & 28th.

See link in bio. 👇✨️

07/19/2024

Do you know this rock? 🤔

This basalt column stands proudly in the Columbia River Gorge below Crown Point. Lewis and Clark camped here on November 2, 1805, during their famed expedition.

The rock's name has an interesting origin. Originally called by a more provocative term, it was known to the Chinook people as 'iwash'. The current name, Rooster Rock, was adopted later to be more "family-friendly." 🐓

Perhaps it is no coincidence that there is a clothing-optional beach section at the base of the rock. 🫢

07/14/2024

There's no better place to be when the sun is shining bright! 🌞 🚤

07/01/2024

Happy

Coinciding with our first 7 Wonders of the Gorge cruise of the season!🚤🌊

06/15/2024

Ready to get back out to the Columbia River Gorge! 😎 7 Wonders of the Gorge excursions start July 1st!

04/27/2024

7 Wonders of the Gorge jetboat cruises are back July 1st! 🙌

08/10/2023

We regret to inform you of some unfortunate news: all cruises aboard the Explorer Jetboat for the remainder of the summer season have been cancelled.

In late July, as part of our routine maintenance checks carried out prior to every cruise, we discovered a leak in the engine. We immediately cancelled upcoming cruises to allow us time to schedule a specialized mechanic to address the issue, with an anticipated a completion date by the second week of August.

After meticulously removing and examining the engine, the mechanic concluded that a complete replacement of the engine was necessary. Regrettably, the specific engine required for the replacement will not be available until the end of September.

All ticket holders are currently being contacted with options for a free upgrade to another cruise or money back on a gift card or credit card.

We share your disappointment in having to cancel our 7 Wonders of the Gorge cruises. However, we are incredibly grateful to our team for their diligence and unwavering commitment to the safety of our passengers. On a positive note, this vessel will soon have a brand-new engine, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard the Explorer Jetboat for our Sleigh Rides in December or on a cruise next season.

Your understanding during this unforeseen circumstance is greatly appreciated. We extend our sincere gratitude for your support and look forward to welcoming you back aboard the Explorer Jetboat for future adventures.

07/21/2023

Cool down with a jetboat ride to the Columbia River Gorge! 😎

📷: Blue Haven Media

07/15/2023

Wondering what you may see on the 7 Wonders of the Gorge cruise? 🤔

07/01/2023

Our 7 Wonders of the Gorge cruise is ✨️SOLD OUT✨️ for the next two weekends. Book your preferred date early or pick a weekday to secure your spot!

We operate everyday except Tuesday through September.

06/27/2023

Our new 7 Wonders of the Gorge cruise on the Explorer Jetboat debuts this Saturday, July 1st!

Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest Mountain, is just one of the seven wonders we'll cover on the cruise. And with beautiful weather in the forecast, you can catch that beautiful peak from the Columbia River. 🏔 ✨️

See link in comments for details and tickets!

06/08/2023

"Portland Spirit will launch a new cruise that takes passengers on a round trip from the Rose City to Multnomah Falls." - KOIN newschannel 6

The cruise operates on the Explorer Jetboat, a vessel also used for the summer Bigfoot Adventure Cruises and December Sleigh Rides.

04/27/2023

Get ready to experience the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the Columbia River Gorge like never before. 🔥

We're debuting a new cruise — the 7 Wonders of the Gorge on the Explorer Jetboat! 🚤

This new cruise explores the same round-trip route from Portland to Multnomah Falls as our Bigfoot Adventure Cruises, but features all-new narration focused on the stunning 7 natural wonders of the Columbia River Gorge.

See link in comments for more info & tickets! We start July 1st! 🎟️

01/04/2023

We have updated the name of our page to better represent past and future cruises in the Columbia River Gorge operated by the Portland Spirit.

Enjoy this drone footage of the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler returning to the dock yesterday. Never before seen footage of the Sternwheeler passing Marine Park in the winter — just look at those beautiful snow dusted hills!

Future operations of the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler are still unknown.

📷: Jeff Caldwell

11/15/2022

Currently, there are 5 cruises available to ride the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler in Portland before the end of the year — from Dinner, Brunch, Lunch and a Christmas Ship Dinner.

See available cruises here: https://linktr.ee/ColumbiaGorgeSternwheeler

10/31/2022

A big thank you to the community, staff and alumni who came out in a big way to our Farewell Cruise last night. Our hearts are full. Your support means more than words can say. 💗

10/25/2022

Only four days of cruises remain! Rain or shine, it's a beautiful ride.

Here's the schedule for our final public cruises in the Gorge:

Thursday, October 27th - 1:30 pm east loop sightseeing
Thursday, October 27th - 2:45 pm west loop sightseeing
Thursday, October 27th - 6 pm dinner (SOLD OUT)
Friday, October 28th - 1:30 pm east loop sightseeing
Friday, October 28th - 2:45 pm west loop sightseeing
Friday, October 28th - 6 pm dinner (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, October 29th - 11 am east loop sightseeing
Saturday, October 29th - 12:15 pm west loop sightseeing
Saturday, October 29th - 1:30 pm east loop sightseeing
Saturday, October 29th - 2:45 pm west loop sightseeing
Saturday, October 29th - 6 pm dinner (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, October 30th - 10 am brunch (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, October 30th - 1:30 pm east loop sightseeing
Sunday, October 30th - 2:45 pm west loop sightseeing

10/12/2022

As a thank you to the community for all your years of support, locals, staff and alumni are invited to a special Farewell Sunset Cruise on Sunday, October 30th from 5 - 6:30 pm. Please spread the word! 🧡

Admission is complimentary, but is limited and must be reserved in advance. Due to high demand, RSVPs are limited to current or former staff and locals (Cascade Locks, Stevenson or Carson), plus one guest.

See details and request your tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/PortlandSpirit

If you have any questions or would like to request special accommodations, email [email protected] or call 503-224-3900.

10/04/2022

Today we must share the disheartening news that we (the Portland Spirit) will no longer operate the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler as of January 1, 2023.

The vessel is owned by the Port of Cascade Locks and since 2006, we have been in a long term contract to operate the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. However, in order to operate smoothly for years to come, the vessel requires a repower. Additionally, we would like to renovate the interior to better showcase the vessel's historic beauty. We estimate a cost of approximately 3 million dollars between the repower and remodel, which must be amortized over time in order to justify the extraordinary cost.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to come to a timely agreement with the Port that would allow us to complete a repower of the vessel by 2024.

We have loved operating the Port’s historic vessel for the past 16 years. At this point, we don’t know when the Sternwheeler will operate again in the future. In the meantime, we will invest in our Portland-based experiences and all our wonderful employees in Cascade Locks will be offered employment in Portland.

Our final cruise in the Columbia Gorge is on October 30th. Following the repositioning cruise on November 5th, we'll have select cruises on the Sternwheeler in Portland through December 31, 2022.

You may view cruise details and make a reservation on our website: portlandspirit.com/sternwheeler

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or contact our customer service team at 503-224-3900. Thank you for your understanding and support.

09/30/2022

You have exactly one month to enjoy sightseeing, dinner and brunch cruises in the Gorge! Final cruise scheduled for Sunday, October 30th.

09/05/2022

The annual Cross Channel Swim is quite the sight to see! 🏊‍♂️ Here's an aerial view.

08/30/2022

We are officially SOLD OUT of our brunch dinner cruises this Labor Day weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday). Few spots remain on Thursday and Monday evening. Be sure to book early to secure your spot before the end of the season!

08/27/2022

We're entering that time of year when the sunsets paint the horizon at the end of of dinner cruises. 🥰

08/12/2022

Don't let summer pass you by without taking a ride on the Sternwheeler! The sunsets are GORGE-OUS this time of year!

Book now 👉 https://portlandspirit.com/sternwheeler

07/27/2022

Due to unforeseen mechanical issues with our historic vessel, we have cancelled all cruises through the afternoon of Friday, July 29th.

Our customer service team has been reaching out to folks who have already purchased tickets to reschedule or refund — if you need to get in touch with us, please call 503-224-3900. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to being back on the water very soon!

07/11/2022

Weather forecast calls for 🌞 all week! Who's ready to get onto the river on soak up some sun!? We offer up to 5 cruises a day!

📷: Nick Irwin Images

07/02/2022

Happy National Boating Day! ⚓️

06/29/2022

Not much beats cruising the Columbia River on a beautiful day in Oregon. 🥰

06/27/2022

UPDATE: I-84 has reopened!

NOTICE: I-84 is now closed in both directions between Troutdale and Multnomah Falls due to a major accident. No ETA for an opening yet. If you have tickets to ride the Sternwheeler today, please give yourself plenty of time and use Highway 14, then cross the river at the Bridge of the Gods.

06/24/2022

According to scientific history, somewhere between 1100 and 1250 A.D., the first, natural Bridge of the Gods was created by an enormous landslide between the lava cliffs of Table Mountain and the North wall of the Columbia Gorge. The land bridge dammed the river, standing between 200 and 300 feet above sea level, high enough that Native Americans could safely cross the river. This natural dam created an inland sea in eastern Oregon, Washington, and into Idaho. The Bridge of the Gods collapsed around the 1690s — which coincides with the date of the last Great Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquakes — creating the rocky Cascade Rapids.

First built in 1926, the modern-day Bridge of the Gods was raised in 1936 to accommodate the rising waters from the construction of Bonneville Dam. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods and the lowest elevation of the trail is on this bridge.