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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » TRAVEL BLISS: Day Trip to Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Published: February 7, 2017 / Updated: December 3, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    TRAVEL BLISS: Day Trip to Cascade Locks, Oregon

    5 shares

    If you live in, or are visiting, Portland, Oregon, consider a day trip to Cascade Locks along the Columbia River Gorge. With beautiful recreation areas, fresh seafood, and new breweries, it's a fun family stop!  

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Oregonians know: you don't have to go far from home to go on an exciting outdoor adventure. A drive along the Columbia River Highway alone is a gorgeous day trip. The Columbia River Gorge area has so much to offer - from amazing hiking trails and waterfalls, to recreational activities like fishing, windsurfing, and biking, to some of the best restaurants, markets, breweries, and wineries in the state.

    During my last post from a recent Hood-Gorge adventure, I shared a scenic and easy day hike along the Latourell Falls Loop. Today, we're going to explore just a few fun favorites that Cascade Locks has to offer.

    Day Trip: Cascade Locks along the Columbia River Gorge

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    When I was kid, my family would often drive along Highway 84, the Historic Columbia River Highway, out to Cascade Locks. The little fishing town was known for the massive Bridge of the Gods (pictured above), and incredibly delicious freshly caught wild fish. We'd drive out, fish along the banks, stop at most of the roadside fruit and fish stands, and then get an enormous soft serve cone at the Eastwind Drive-In.

    One place I hadn't visited since I was a kid, but was so excited to visit again, was the Bonneville Fish Hatchery.

    Bonneville Fish Hatchery & Dam

    70543 NE Herman Loop
    Cascade Locks, OR 97014
    (541) 374-8393

    HOURS: Daily (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
    November 1 to March 1: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
    March 1 to October 31: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm

    The Visitor Center to Bonneville Dam is open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    There are many aspects of the fish hatchery that are appealing for both kids and adults. There's the fish hatchery itself -- the hatchery raises 6.6 million fall chinook, 900,000 spring chinook, 750,000 coho, 250,000 summer steelhead and 60,000 winter steelhead.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    In the information center, you can take a self-guided tour which shows you the whole lifecycle of the fish, from the time they are incubated to the time they leave and come back. It's fascinating, and would be an especially interesting tour for animal-loving kiddos.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    There are also trout ponds, sturgeon ponds, and the sturgeon viewing center.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Herman the Sturgeon is one of the main attractions in the Sturgeon Viewing Center. He's reportedly around 60- years old, and is 10-feet long and weighs 425 pounds. He's truly an awesome sight to see, for kids and adults!

    You could spend about an hour at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and then head over just outside of the parking lot to Bonneville Dam. We didn't have time to head over there on this last visit, but if you get the chance, it's also a fun and education experience for families!

    Afterward, you'll want to make a stop at the Brigham Fish Market for - you guessed it - some fresh caught fish. I know, it may seem weird to some, since you just admired these beautiful creatures at the hatchery, but: circle of life, y'all. Obviously, if you're a vegetarian, you can skip the next stop.

    Brigham Fish Market

    681 WaNaPa St.
    Cascade Locks, OR 97014
    541-374-9340
    HOURS:
    Monday – Tuesday noon to 6:00
    Wednesday closed
    Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 to 6:00
    Sunday 10:00 to 5:00
    http://brighamfish.com/
    brighamfishproducts@gmail.com

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    For generations, the Brigham family - members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation - have fished in the Columbia River. In 2014, sisters Terri and Kim Brigham opened the first native-owned fish market along the Columbia: Brigham Fish Market.

    Here, you'll find wild, native-caught fish fresh from the Columbia River. The offerings vary depending on the season: spring yields spring salmon and sturgeon; summer yields chinook, sockeye, and steelhead; in the fall, you'll find coho, steelhead, and chinooksalmon.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    In addition to bringing home some fresh salmon, Brigham Market sells shrimp, house made ceviche, oysters, and a delicious house made salmon dip.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    This is also a great stop for lunch during your adventures along the Columbia River Gorge. Brigham Fish Market serves fresh chowder, fish and chips, and more.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Sit at one of the few tables they have inside the market, where photos of the Brigham family fishing adorn the walls along with native artifacts and decorations.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Or enjoy your meal outside with a stunning view of the Columbia River and surrounding mountains and hillsides.

    You can also check out Cascade Locks' relatively new brewery, Thunder Island Brewing. We unfortunately did not have a chance to stop there, but I hope to soon!

    After you've had some delicious fish & chips and chowder, you've earned dessert. And there's only ONE place in Cascade Locks that you NEED to know about for dessert: the Eastwind Drive-In!

    Eastwind Drive-In

    395 Wa Na Pa Street
    Cascade Locks, OR 97014
    (541) 374-8380
    HOURS: Daily, 6:30am – 8:00pm
    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Growing up in Oregon, I remember stopping at the Eastwind Drive-In anytime we would pass through Cascade Locks.
    This Hood Gorge institution continues to be THE place to stop during outdoor adventures all year round. There's limited counter seating inside and a few tables outside, or you can order through the drive-through and enjoy your meal on the road.

    Day Trip to Cascade Locks Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Travel tips on UrbanBlissLife.com

    While the Eastwind serves classic diner fare, such as burgers, hot dogs, and fries, the true shining star here: the soft serve cones.

    The one pictured above is a SMALL. Yep. That's a SMALL cone. The large size is piled as high as a foot and a half. It's so delicious and on a warm spring or summer day, these are the perfect treats to enjoy with the stunning Gorge in the background.

    More Columbia River Gorge Oregon Bliss:

    Day Trip: Hiking the Latourell Falls Loop

    Travel Bliss: Historic Columbia River Highway to Hood River

    Have you been to any of these places along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon? Which place would you like to stop at first if you were to visit here?

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Sturgeon Hunter says

        April 28, 2019 at 8:28 pm

        The Bridge of the Gods is a small and unique adventure to check out. If you are on your way to Cascade Locks from the Washington side you will go over the Bridge. The construction is remarkable, the view spectacular. Pay close attention!

        Reply
      2. Dave says

        November 30, 2018 at 6:04 am

        Oregon is so beautiful. Your blog post has put it on my bucket list. Would love to fish for salmon there next year.

        Reply
      3. Robert M. Boos says

        August 11, 2018 at 1:02 pm

        Looks great.Thanks for sharing nice one article

        Reply
      4. Matt says

        May 17, 2018 at 8:22 pm

        Great article as always!
        All things being well, I should be visiting Oregon later this year...looks amazing!!!
        Keep those great blogs coming….

        Reply
      5. Ronda Muckel says

        March 04, 2018 at 2:29 pm

        I have read your blog very attentively. You have share many important tips for family fishing. When we get long time vacation we want to go outdoor for fishing to get entertainment. As a beginner we don't know about fishing time or which is suitable for fishing.

        Reply
      6. Tag Cabo Sportfishing says

        November 22, 2017 at 8:29 am

        Well it seems like a wonderful place for sportfishing. Thanks for sharing this. :)

        Reply
      7. James Williams says

        October 11, 2017 at 1:44 am

        Awesome site view and other photographs. I am also planning to go there for a fishing trip.

        Reply
      8. Fisher Combo John says

        July 14, 2017 at 7:13 pm

        Looks like you guys had fun there.

        Reply
      9. Steven at FishFindly says

        March 21, 2017 at 4:39 am

        I think this is definitely an adventure I’d be up for.

        Reply
      10. Nate says

        February 26, 2017 at 8:27 pm

        Beautiful, I am from Portland and it has been too long since I have gone back.

        Reply
      11. Erin (Platings and Pairings) says

        February 08, 2017 at 12:01 pm

        OK - I definitely need to go visit Herman the Sturgeon - How cool is that?! Cascade Locks definitely looks like a fun weekend getaway!

        Reply
      12. Dallas Calhoun says

        February 07, 2017 at 7:30 pm

        Omg it's so pretty there! The seafood looks amazing

        Reply
      13. Natalie Loves Beauty says

        February 07, 2017 at 6:37 pm

        Oregon looks beautiful and your post has definitely given me the itch to visit!

        Reply
      14. Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama says

        February 07, 2017 at 5:04 pm

        I haven't been to the Bonneville Dam and fish hatchery since I was a kid, but I've been meaning to bring my own littles there! Also, I've always wanted to get an ice cream cone at such a renowned spot! On a side note, I think seeing those magnificent sturgeon at the hatchery is one reason I get *so so sad* when I see people fishing for them. They are incredible creatures I can't help but imagine in the dinosaur days, and it's terribly depressing to think of someone catching a 100-year-old fish like that.

        Reply
      15. Christina says

        February 07, 2017 at 4:36 pm

        Wow what a beautiful place, Oregon looks like an incredible place to visit!

        Reply

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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