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Bonneville Lock and Dam

Exit 40, I-84 · Cascade Locks, OR

Why you should go…

Bonneville Lock and Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Columbia River operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area about 40 miles east of Portland. The site has two free visitor centers, the Bradford Island Visitor Center in Cascade Locks, Oregon and the Washington Shore Visitor Complex near North Bonneville, both with exhibits on dam construction, regional history and salmon life cycles. Visitors can watch migrating fish through underwater viewing windows at the fish ladders and see salmon and sturgeon at an adjoining fish hatchery.

  • #history
  • #family
  • #free
  • #wildlife

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Bonneville Lock and Dam, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Ebike Multnomah Falls

    $50+

    Self-guided e-bike rentals along the Historic Columbia River Highway past Multnomah Falls and other Gorge waterfalls.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Always Catchin Fishing Charters

    $50+

    Licensed guide service running salmon, steelhead and sturgeon fishing trips on the Columbia River.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    Cascade Locks Historical Museum

    Free

    A volunteer-run riverside museum on the history of the Columbia Gorge locks, railroads and steamboats.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Cedar Creek Alpacas

    Free

    Family alpaca farm in the Columbia River Gorge offering free tours and a fiber boutique.

    11 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Hopscotch Portland

    Under $25

    A 23,000 square foot immersive art gallery with 14 interactive installations in a former hardware store.

    38 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Portland Aerial Tram

    Under $25

    A gondola climbing from the South Waterfront to OHSU's hilltop campus, with skyline and mountain views.

    40 mi awayMore like this