Skamania County Chamber of Commerce

Local Attractions

Deep within the dramatic basalt cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the charming town of Stevenson, Washington, offers an idyllic escape where raw natural beauty meets Pacific Northwest culture. Located on the northern banks of the mighty Columbia River, just under an hour east of Portland, Oregon, this vibrant riverside community serves as the county seat of Skamania County. Surrounded by lush temperate rainforests and rolling hills, the town offers sweeping panoramic vistas that change dramatically with the seasons, making it a premier destination for travelers seeking to experience the region's tranquil, rugged essence.

The town boasts a rich and colorful history that dates back thousands of years before European settlement, when the area was a vital trading and fishing hub for Native American communities, particularly the Chinook people. In the 19th century, early explorers like Lewis and Clark plied these waters, followed by a massive wave of pioneers navigating the treacherous Cascade Rapids along the Oregon Trail. The town itself was officially founded in 1893 by the Stevenson family, immigrants from Missouri who purchased the original townsite. In a cinematic twist of local lore, Stevenson unexpectedly became the county seat late one night in 1893 when a rogue crew secretly transported the official county records from the neighboring town of Cascades during a bitter dispute over rental fees.

Today, the town seamlessly blends its heritage with an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities. A quintessential first stop is the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum, which artfully chronicles the region’s past, from the cataclysmic Ice Age floods that carved the canyon to indigenous artifacts and massive vintage logging equipment. For outdoor enthusiasts, Stevenson is nothing short of paradise. The world-class Skamania Lodge offers premier golfing, a relaxing spa, and an exhilarating zipline canopy tour that sends thrill-seekers soaring high above the forest floor. Meanwhile, the town's lively waterfront parks, like Bob's Beach and Teo Park, provide front-row seats to watch colorful fleets of windsurfers and kiteboarders dance across the river's famous whitecaps.

Beyond the immediate downtown corridor, Stevenson serves as a gateway to legendary geographic wonders. Just a short drive away lies Beacon Rock State Park, home to an iconic, 848-foot basalt monolith that stands as the core of an ancient, extinct volcano. Travelers can ascend the rock via a marvel of engineering: a thrilling, Mile-long series of cliffside wooden switchbacks and handrails that reward hikers with unparalleled views of the gorge. For those looking to venture further into the wild, the surrounding Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers endless miles of shaded backcountry trails, hidden waterfalls like Fall Creek Falls, and the subterranean wonders of the Ape Caves lava tubes.

What truly sets Stevenson apart is its unique ability to preserve its authentic, unhurried small-town character while adapting to the forces of nature. Over the decades, the entire town was physically forced to migrate up the hillside—first pushed away from the river by the arrival of the SP&S Railroad in 1908, and later forced even higher when the construction of the Bonneville Dam permanently flooded the original lower townsite. Today, this resilient layout provides a beautifully terraced downtown filled with independent boutiques, local art galleries, and award-winning craft breweries like Walking Man Brewing. Visitors can end their day on a restaurant deck overlooking the water, enjoying a glass of regional wine and fresh Northwest salmon while listening to the distant whistle of passing trains, perfectly capturing the enduring spirit of the Gorge.

Fun Facts

Stevenson's waterfront was once lined with giant fish wheels used to harvest salmon from the Columbia River, reflecting the region's long fishing heritage.

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