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Desiree Ramirez

The Bonneville Dam is a national historic site that provides power for 80% of the Pacific Northwest. The Bonneville Dam is a national historic site that provides power for 80% of the Pacific Northwest.
i
The Bonneville Dam is a national historic site that provides power for 80% of the Pacific Northwest.
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Bonneville Dam

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

Updated Apr. 30, 2020 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 village and fishing site at Celilo Falls. Now owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it is recognized as one of the world’s largest hydroelectric systems. With two powerhouses producing 5 billion kilowatts of electricity each year, the dam provides power for 80% of the Pacific Northwest region.

People stand on a river bank observing water flowing over a large dam
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

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, Christmas Day and 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, For Kids, Outdoors, Region

Columbia River Gorge

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

Go To The Gorge
Leave the car behind and experience the gorge by bike and shuttle.

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 historic Vista House at Crown Point provides panoramic views of the 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.

The Columbia River Gorge, just east of Portland, is a designated National Scenic Area.

Columbia River Gorge Tours

Explore the waterfalls of the national scenic area just east of Portland with a guide and driver.

Double-tiered Latourell Falls is the waterfall closest to Portland.

Waterfalls Near Portland

Get your fill of natural wonders by visiting these waterfalls close to Portland.

Test your mountain biking skills on the expert-only Syncline trail.

Biking in the Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a recreational biker’s paradise, with options including car-free blacktop, smooth single-track flows and canyon trails with tricky switchbacks.

The Pfriem Family Brewers taproom in Hood River.

Brewing in the Gorge

Take in the outstanding beauty of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area while enjoying five outstanding brewpubs.

Adventurers love the waves and windsurfing at the Columbia River Gorge.

Windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge

Grab your board and head to the Columbia River Gorge, the windsurfing capital of the world, located a short drive east of Portland.

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