Sternwheeler Cruises on the Columbia River
Through the Gorge and up the Snake on a classic paddlewheeler.
Get Sternwheeler QuotesSternwheeler Cruises on the Columbia River
The Columbia and its tributary the Snake were sternwheeler rivers for decades, carrying settlers, wheat and gold-rush traffic between the Pacific and the interior Northwest. Today sternwheeler cruises on the Columbia River follow the same water in comfort, from Portland through the Columbia River Gorge and on to the canyons of the Snake.
American Cruise Lines assigns two paddlewheelers here: American Pride, built in 2012 for about 150 guests, and American West, the oldest of its paddlewheelers, built in 1995 for about 110. Their interiors are themed around the West and its Native American and pioneer history.
The Route
Cruises begin in Portland, Oregon, sail down the Willamette to the Columbia, and head east through the Gorge, where waterfalls pour off basalt cliffs on the Oregon side. Locks at Bonneville, The Dalles and further upriver lift the boat into drier country. Longer voyages turn up the Snake to Clarkston, close to Hells Canyon.
The trip follows much of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. For the route and the expedition story, see Columbia River Cruising; for what to do at each stop, see our Columbia River Gorge port guide.
Before You Go
- Spend a night in Portland first; Portland hotels on RoomsCheap lists options.
- Pack layers: the western Gorge is often damp and the eastern river dry and sunny.
- Choose between the 7-day Gorge round trip and the longer Portland–Clarkston route based on how much time you have.
A River Once Run by Sternwheelers
Before railroads and highways reached the interior Northwest, sternwheelers carried passengers and freight between Portland and the upper Columbia and Snake. Rapids and falls such as the Cascades and Celilo forced portages, until canals and later the federal dams and locks opened a continuous channel. Today’s paddlewheelers pass through those locks with ease, and onboard historians tell the story of the river trade and of the Native nations whose fishing sites lay along the route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sternwheeler cruises on the Columbia River are available?
American Cruise Lines sails its paddlewheelers American Pride and American West on the Columbia and Snake rivers, on Columbia River Gorge round trips from Portland and on longer voyages between Portland and Clarkston, Washington.
When do Columbia River cruises run?
Roughly spring through autumn. The line’s schedule shows Gorge departures into late October and new sailings from late March.
Do I need a passport?
No. It is a domestic cruise between U.S. ports.
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