Overview

Picturesque The Dalles, Oregon was founded in 1857 and was the original site of Fort Dalles, a U.S. Army outpost built to protect settlers from Indian attack. The Dalles formed the last stop on the Oregon Trail before pioneers floated down the Columbia River to their final settling destinations. Today, The Dalles retains all the charm of an Oregon community with roots in Native American and pioneer history.

Location

The Dalles lies 20 miles east of Hood River and 80 miles east of Portland on Interstate 84.

Lodging and Services

The Dalles is a small city of about 13,000 population, easily accessed via Interstate Highway 84 and also served by a small airport (The Dalles Municipal/Columbia River Regional Airport). Several hotels/motels can be found in town.

Activities

Recreational opportunities abound in The Dalles, both indoor and outdoor choices. Outdoor activities include windsurfing, boating and fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking. Indoor options include museums, antiquing, and shopping.

Attractions

• The Dalles Dam is a feat of engineering spanning the Columbia, with windows for viewing migrating fish.
• Old St. Peter’s Landmark, an example of Gothic Revival architecture, is open to the public.
• Fort Dalles Museum is housed in the last remaining structure of the original Fort.
• Pulpit Rock, once a favorite spot for preachers to gather their flocks, sits in downtown The Dalles at 12th Street.
• Sorosis Park overlooks the town and the Columbia from the cliffs above The Dalles.
• The Murals of the Dalles depict historic moments on building walls throughout downtown. View the map of the murals and take your own walking tour.