Property at a Glance: Skamania Lodge

Skamania Lodge takes its name from a Chinook word meaning “swift water.” The moniker is appropriate—the hotel overlooks the Columbia River Gorge. There’s a high concentration of waterfalls here, including the country’s fifth-highest. The lodge is situated on 175 wooded acres and surrounded by beautiful natural attractions. It serves as both a place to find solitude and a home base for hiking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and many other recreational activities. It’s also surrounded by history—the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail is nearby, and Mount St. Helens is about a 60-mile drive away.

• Admire forest views in your superior or fireplace-equipped fireside room.
• Cozy up with a book in front of a towering stone fireplace in the lodge, whose architecture ropes in Montana slate, local rock, and natural and reclaimed timber.
• Upscale dining options: Fodor’s writes that the onsite “restaurants are some of the top dining experiences in the region.” Columbia River steelhead and other regional dishes are on the menu at Skamania’s award-winning Cascade Dining Room, while lighter dishes and shared plates take the spotlight at River Rock restaurant. 
• Take a refreshing dip in the indoor swimming pool (limited capacity)

Stevenson, Washington: Laid-Back Riverfront Town amid Massive Forest Preserve

A small, scenic town on the Columbia River Gorge, Stevenson was once a humble logging community. It has since evolved into a renowned year-round destination. Many visitors are drawn to Gifford Pinchot National Forest, an outdoor wonderland spread across 1.3 million acres where you can go fishing, hiking, biking, and picnicking.

The Columbia River Gorge is set amid the Cascade Range volcanoes, including Mount Hood, which is located about an hour away. It’s Oregon’s tallest peak and also home to the Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort.