Stevenson Trip Ideas
Less than an hour from the city, Stevenson, Washington is a small town with world class breweries, kiteboarding, food and views.
Stevenson During the Week
Stevenson Trip Ideas
Stevenson has great restaurants, pubs, and shopping. The main event in Spring is the Dog Mountain Trail but you’ll also find these 3 walks:
Waterfront Walk Loop: 30 mins /1.5 miles
A lovely walk along the waterfront and then back down main street from the East.
–
Mill Pond Trail: 40 mins / 2 miles
This trail meanders through the Skamania Fair Grounds and along the shores of Rock Cove. Take more time to stop and explore the Interpretive Center.
Skamania Lodge Trails: 1 hour + 40 mins / 5 miles
Walk a bit further to explore the trails on the grounds of the majestic Skamania Lodge.
Where to play before or after your trip
Double click on each picture to learn more
Places In Town to Visit With Your Dog
54-40 Beer Lodge; Big River Grill; Clark & Lewie’s; Hotel Stevenson; North Bank Books; Red Bluff Tap House; Skamania Lodge; Walking Man Brewing
Stevenson Waterfront Walk Loop
[30 mins / 1.5 miles]
The riverfront walk is just two blocks from the main street (Hwy 14) of downtown Stevenson.*
Simply turn South on Russel Ave and follow it across the train tracks until it turns into a walking path. Just before it reaches the pier, you’ll see a trail turn off to the left. Follow it.
It will take you past Clark & Louie’s, a kid play area with super cool slides, Skunk Bros Distillery and the surfing beach.
When you reach Cascade Street, you can either turn left back to the start of the path.
If you turn right, follow Cascade Street another 2 blocks until it reaches Hwy 14. Across the road is The Cabin (for coffee or custard) but please be super careful if you choose to cross Hwy 14. To complete the loop, simply walk West along the walkway. It is less than a mile to the Central bus stop in front of Main Street Convenience Store and another .2 miles to the Fairgrounds.
*The weekday Skamania Central bus stop is located downtown. To reach downtown from the weekend Fairgrounds stop, walk SE along Rock Creek Dr. until you reach Hwy 14. Then turn left. Russel Ave (to the waterfront) is another 2 blocks.
Mill Pond Trail
[Up to 1 hour / 2 miles]
From the Fairgrounds, follow the signs to the Mill Pond Trail (South of the parking lot). It will take you over a walking bridge, through the Fairgrounds, and along the shores of Rock Cove.
Keep walking West along the sidewalk until you reach the end of the path at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. Take time to peruse the outdoor exhibits or spend a bit more time to view the full museum inside.
Return along the same path or along SW Rock Creek Drive.
*To reach the Fairgrounds from the Central Stevenson stop, turn left onto Rock Creek Dr. and walk .2 miles until you see the signs for the trail on the left.
Skamania Lodge Trails
[Up to 2 hours / 5 miles]
The trail system at Skamania Lodge offers over four miles of hiking paths on the property. No pass required.
To get there, continue on West from the end of the Mille Pond Trail West along Rock Creek Drive for .1 mile until you reach path at the Skamania Lodge sign.
The Creek Loop Trail is another 1.5 miles starting at the Golf Shop and taking you to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the course’s 13th hole, the Columbia River and the cliffs of the Oregon Cascades.
The 1.75 Lake Loop Trail also starts at the Golf Shop and weaves through the golf course and past both Wy’East and Lily Pond lakes.
More detailed directions for the two hikes can be found here.
Add to your trip with a visit to the Cascade Dining Room or River Rock Lounge in the Lodge where you can take in the view from the Adirondack chairs on the front lawn. Or, if you dare, check out the zip line, aerial park or axe throwing.
Stevenson During the Week
PORTLAND TO STEVENSON (DURING THE WEEK)
Take theColumbia Gorge Express to Cascade Locks. From there are three daily shuttles into Stevenson across the Bridge of Gods.
OPTION ONE:
- Catch the 6:50am Columbia Gorge Express shuttle from Gateway to Cascade Locks.
- You then have 30 mins to grab coffee before you catch the 8:04am Skamania County Transit shuttle in front of the Columbia Market.
- The shuttle will drop you at the Central stop in downtown Stevenson at 8:17am.
OPTION TWO:
- Catch the 9:50am Columbia Gorge Express shuttle from Gateway to Cascade Locks.
- You have 5 min to walk the block to catch the 10:47am Skamania County Transit shuttle in front of the Columbia Market.
- The shuttle will drop you at the Central stop in downtown Stevenson at 11am.
OPTION THREE:
- Catch the 12:50pm Columbia Gorge Express shuttle from Gateway to Cascade Locks.
- You have 40 min to explore Cascade Locks before catching the 2:20pm Skamania County Transit shuttle in front of the Columbia Market.
- The shuttle will drop you at the Central stop in downtown Stevenson at 2:33.
Click here to download schedules
BACK TO PORTLAND (DURING THE WEEK)
From Stevenson, there are two options during the week to connect back to the Columbia Gorge Express in Cascade Locks.
OPTION ONE:
- Catch the 10:34am Skamania County Transit shuttle from the Central stop in downtown Stevenson back to Cascade Locks.
- This option gives you 1 hour to explore Cascade Locks before catching the 11:50am Columbia Gorge Express shuttle in front of Thunder Island Brewing.
- You’ll be back at Gateway by 9:40am.
OPTION TWO:
- Catch the 5pm Skamania County Transit shuttle from the Central stop in downtown Stevenson back to Cascade Locks.
- This option gives you 20 mins before catching the 5:35pm Columbia Gorge Express shuttle in front of Thunder Island Brewing.
- You’ll be back at Gateway by 6:25pm.
VANCOUVER TO STEVENSON (DURING THE WEEK)
The Skamania County Transit shuttle travels both West and East along Hwy 14 several times a day during the week. This makes it easy to hop off to visit Stevenson before hopping back on again.
FROM VANCOUVER:
- Catch the bus at the Fisher’s Landing Transit center at 7:11am, 10am, 12:20pm, or 1:30pm.
- The trip takes an hour and will drop you at the Central stop in downtown Stevenson.
BACK TO VANCOUVER
- Catch the bus at the Central stop in downtown Stevenson back to Vancouver at: 11:05am, 12:30pm, or 5:03pm.
- The trip takes an hour and will drop you at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center.
Click here to download schedule
BINGEN TO STEVENSON (DURING THE WEEK)
Spend the day in Stevenson with plenty of time for breakfast, walks, the museum, lunch and exploring.
- Catch the bus at the Bingen Park & Ride (just West of the bridge) at 7:09am and arrive in Stevenson 40 minutes later.
- To return, catch the bus at the Central Stevenson stop at 2:33pm arriving back in Bingen at 3:17pm.
HOOD RIVER TO STEVENSON (DURING THE WEEK)
There are three different options during the week to take the bus from the CAT Station in Hood River to Cascade Locks where you transfer to the Skamania County Transit shuttle across the river.
OPTION ONE:
- At the CAT station in Hood River, catch the 7am Columbia Gorge Express to Cascade Locks.
- You then have 40 mins to grab coffee before you catch the 8:04am Skamania County Transit shuttle in front of Thunder Island Brewing.
- The shuttle will drop you at the Central stop in downtown Stevenson at 8:17am.
OPTION TWO:
- At the CAT station in Hood River, catch the 10am Columbia Gorge Express to Cascade Locks.
- You then have 25 mins to explore Cascade Locks before you catch the 10:47am Skamania County Transit shuttle in front of Thunder Island Brewing.
- The shuttle will drop you at the Central stop in downtown Stevenson at 11am.
OPTION THREE:
- At the CAT station in Hood River, catch the 1pm Columbia Gorge Express to Cascade Locks.
- You then have an hour to explore Cascade Locks before you catch the 2:20pm Skamania County Transit shuttle in front of Thunder Island Brewing.
- The shuttle will drop you at the Central stop in downtown Stevenson at 2:33pm.
Click here to download schedule
BACK TO HOOD RIVER (DURING THE WEEK)
And on the way back there are two options for returning to Hood River from Stevenson.
- Catch the 10:34am or 5pm Skamania County Transit shuttle from the Central stop in downtown Stevenson back to Cascade Locks.
- You have 1 hour to explore Cascade Locks before catching the 11:50am or 6:10pm bus to Hood River in front of Columbia Market.
- You’ll be back at the CAT Station in Hood River within 25 mins.
