Desiree Ramirez

fish ladder with utilitarian building off to the side in front of a hillside with waterfalls and a winter forest
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The Bonneville Lock and Dam in Cascade Locks features a fish ladder that enables salmon migration and offers visitors a tour of the powerhouse and interactive exhibits.
Credit: Nick Mendez, nickmendez.com

Bonneville Dam

Admire wonders of engineering and migrating salmon at this historic landmark on the Columbia River.

3 min read

Desiree Ramirez

Out of all the destinations in the scenic Columbia River Gorge, the Bonneville Dam might not be the first one you would think of visiting for a deep, spiritual nature experience. However, facing a massive wall of water that is moving at an average of 150 cubic feet per second (think 1,200 gallons of water per second) is quite a moving experience!

Bonneville Dam History

Located 40 miles (64 km) outside of Portland on the Columbia River, the Bonneville Lock and Dam is a national historic site, and one of several dams on the river’s main stem along the Oregon and Washington border. The dam, which was built during the Roosevelt era and the Great Depression, flooded a historic Native American fishing site at Cascades Rapids. Now owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it is recognized as one of the nation’s largest hydroelectric systems. How large? The dam generates enough clean, renewable energy to power nearly a million homes.

mist rises from a large river dam in the distance, behind wildflowers blooming on the shoreline
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The Bonneville Dam is a national historic site that provides power for 80% of the Pacific Northwest.
People stand on a river bank observing water flowing over a large dam
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Bonneville Dam's spillway is just one of the attractions at this historic landmark.

Bonneville Dam Activities

If renewable energy doesn’t excite you, the dam’s array of family-friendly activities will. At Bonneville Dam, you can:

  • Explore Robins Island and Bradford Island for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation.
  • Learn everything you ever wanted to know about the migratory journey of salmon and Pacific lamprey.
  • Get a 360-degree view of both sides of the Gorge from the observation deck.
  • See Chinook, sockeye, coho and steelhead salmon swimming upstream in the bubbling, emerald waters of the fish ladder (up to 250,000 fish pass through in a single day during high season, August–November).
  • Watch the massive navigation lock in action as it allows boats to pass upstream to downstream.
  • Enjoy a meditative moment taking in the dam’s spillway as a wall of whitewater gushes downstream at an incredible rate, spraying your face from many yards away.
People observe a fish ladder at Bonneville Dam
You can observe the fish ladder from above or head downstairs for an underwater view.

When you’re finished with your dam experience, head to the fish hatchery next door and take a walk among babbling ponds and rearing pools of peaceful trout, salmon and sturgeon. There are several footpaths to explore where you can view and feed fish, enjoy the gardens or just sit and relax in the shade. (Be sure to pack a picnic for this spot.)

Visiting Bonneville Dam

Know Before You Go

Bonneville Dam is an active hydroelectric power plant. There may be times when portions of the visitor areas will be inaccessible to the public.

Admission to Bonneville Dam is free. The dam’s two visitor centers (one on Bradford Island in Oregon and one on the Washington shore) are open from 9 a.m.—5 p.m. daily except for Thanksgiving Day and December 24 through New Year’s Day.

Located east of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge, Bonneville Dam is most easily accessed by car. The 40-mile (65 km) drive is simple: take I-84 East, then take exit 40 to the Bonneville Dam.

Parking on-site is free, and there is ADA access throughout the property, with elevators that go to all five levels of the visitor center. Paved pathways lead to both the powerhouse and spillway viewpoint. Restrooms, picnic tables and a water bottle fill station are all on-site as well. There is no food for purchase at the dam; however, Cascade Locks (6 miles [9 km] east on I-84) offers a brewery and other eateries.

Attractions, Outdoors, Region

Columbia River Gorge

Discover more about this national scenic area just east of Portland.

Go To The Gorge
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Waterfalls Near Portland

Some of the most picturesque waterfalls line the Columbia River Gorge, just a short drive from Portland. But these cascading natural wonders are even closer to Portland from the Willamette River to the Cascade Mountain Range.

a couple walks their dog in Forest Park

Hikes in and Near Portland

With easy access to the great outdoors, Portland is a perfect destination for hikers — explore the city’s urban walks, verdant parks and lush gardens, or escape to the nearby gorge and mountains.

view from the sky of the vista house and columbia river gorge

Two Days in the Columbia River Gorge

Savor the views and flavor of Hood River and the scenic gorge with this 48-hour itinerary.

skirting a wide river there are yellow and oranges of changing leaves within the evergreen forest

Car-Free Trips to the Columbia River Gorge

With convenient shuttle buses, tour services and bike trails, visitors don't need a car to explore the gorge.

The sun breaks through clouds above a wide river

Columbia River Gorge Tours

Columbia River Gorge tours are an ideal way for visitors to experience the famous Columbia River Gorge National without worrying about traffic or parking. Explore the waterfalls just east of Portland with a guide and driver.