Major city · United States
StevensonStevenson, Washington
Give Stevenson 1–2 nights as a Columbia Gorge base: hike Beacon Rock or Dog Mountain, cross the Bridge of the Gods, skip it if you want city nights.
Stevenson is a small town on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, about 45 minutes from Portland by car on State Route 14. It works as a quiet base for gorge hikes, the Bridge of the Gods and Bonneville Dam, with Skamania Lodge as the one full resort. Most travellers stay one or two nights and drive in; there is no train and no useful bus network.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and gorge wind), Dec–Feb (rain, some closures)
- Airports
- PDX · SEA
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Stevenson911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Skamania County Sheriff (non-emergency)509-427-9490
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Stevenson, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyStevenson is a low-crime small town; the real risks are gorge wind on the bridge, steep trails, river currents and winter road ice.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 509-427-9490 Skamania County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPDX Portland International (About 45–60 min by car via I-84 East and the Bridge of the Gods or SR-14; rental car is the practical option.).
- Getting aroundA car is the default: SR-14 runs through town and I-84 on the Oregon side is reached across the Bridge of the Gods.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealDinner main at a sit-down restaurant$18–35
- BeerCraft beer, pint at the brewery$6–9
- Museum or sight ticketColumbia Gorge Museum entryAdults $10, seniors and students $8, children $6
- Budget bedHostel or campground bed, a night, per personUS$35
- Mid-range bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PDX Portland International (About 45–60 min by car via I-84 East and the Bridge of the Gods or SR-14; rental car is the practical option.) · SEA Seattle-Tacoma International (About 3.5 h by car: I-5 South, then SR-14 East.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Dec (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Nov (19 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Stevenson: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
15 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
19 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the default: SR-14 runs through town and I-84 on the Oregon side is reached across the Bridge of the Gods. Downtown is small enough to walk in 10–15 minutes, and cycling along the riverfront works on quiet roads. There is no local bus network worth planning around; check current schedules before relying on any transit.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Beacon Rock State Park
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Drive SR-14 east about 10 min, then hike the 1 mi trail to the top
Discover Pass required for parking; steep but short, about 30 min up for an average hiker.
Bonneville Dam and fish hatchery
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Drive SR-14 east about 15 min; the hatchery is on the Oregon side
Fish ladders and the visitor areas are the draw; check current visitor-hours and security rules before going.
Dog Mountain
cautionDoor to door: Half day
Drive SR-14 east about 15 min to the trailhead
6.5 mi round trip and very steep; spring wildflower season may need a permit — check.
Multnomah Falls
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Drive across the Bridge of the Gods, then I-84 West about 30 min
620 ft waterfall; parking fills early and a timed-use permit may apply — check.
Cascade Locks, Oregon
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Cross the Bridge of the Gods, about 5 min
Toll bridge, about $2 per passenger car each way; part of the Pacific Crest Trail route.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / riverfront (SW 1st–2nd St, Cascade Ave)
Walkable to cafés, galleries and the waterfront; most lodges and motels sit here.
Skamania Lodge area (SW Skamania Lodge Way)
Resort with golf, spa and gorge views; 5 min drive west of downtown, not walkable to town.
SR-14 corridor east and west of town
Motels and campgrounds near Beacon Rock and the dam; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or lodge double room1 × 2 nights × US$160 | US$320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$150 | US$600 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 | US$60 |
| Discover Pass, one day1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| Bridge of the Gods toll, each way1 × US$2 | US$2 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$103 |
| Trip total≈ US$284 per person per day, bed included | US$1,135 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights and rental car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Lunch main (pizza, burger, Mexican) | $12–20 |
| Dinner main at a sit-down restaurant | $18–35 |
| Craft beer, pint at the brewery | $6–9 |
| Columbia Gorge Museum entry | Adults $10, seniors and students $8, children $6 |
| Bridge of the Gods toll, passenger car | $2 each way |
| Discover Pass, day or annual | About $10 / $30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Gorge wind is real: it can close the Bridge of the Gods to high-profile vehicles and make cycling hard — check conditions before crossing.
- Beacon Rock and Dog Mountain trails are steep with exposure; carry water and start early, and expect timed or permit rules on Dog Mountain in spring — check.
- Cell coverage drops in the gorge and on trails; download offline maps.
- Winter brings rain, ice and occasional SR-14 closures; summer brings heat and wildfire smoke — check air quality before hiking.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Skamania County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 509-427-9490
Pocket card
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StevensonStevenson, Washington
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Skamania County Sheriff (non-emergency)509-427-9490
Embassy
No embassies in Stevenson; consulates are in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco — check your country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bridge of the Gods, passenger car: about $2 each way
- Discover Pass, one day: about $10
- PDX → Stevenson by rental car: about 45–60 min, fuel about $5–8
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the bridge open to cars? — Is the bridge open to cars?
- One day pass, please — One day pass, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
Small-town services: fill the tank in Stevenson or Cascade Locks before heading up SR-14; some businesses close early and on weekdays.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Stevenson. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and gorge wind), Dec–Feb (rain, some closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PDX: drive times field-checked, rental-car vs shuttle fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown riverfront, Skamania Lodge, SR-14 east (Beacon Rock, dam).
- Place pages with verified hours and fees (Columbia Gorge Museum, Beacon Rock, Bonneville Dam) and eat pages with last orders.
- Gorge-wind and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.