Columbia River Gorge Golf Getaways Are a Great Way to Relax and Spend Time With a Few Close Friends

A Columbia River Gorge Golf Getaway is something you just might want to consider. Either it's for a day trip golfing destination, a long weekend golf getaway or a mini golf & lodging getaway; the scenic Columbia Gorge is a great golf destination getaway. The whole trip from Portland Oregon to Hood River Or. Across the Columbia into the State of Washington and back down the Gorge is almost 140 miles of some of the most dynamic landscape you will ever hope to find.

Much more than just golf, a Columbia Gorge Golf Getaway includes grand vistas, small town atmospheres, local wineries and tasting rooms, fruit orchards, fine dining, quaint accommodations and a micro brew pub or two along the way. The fact that there are five golf courses along the way doesn't hurt. It's a great way to spend some time away from it all with a couple of close friends.

Bank Orchard

Starting from uptown Portland, you enter the Gorge at Troutdale and begin one of the truly magnificent road trips in the Northwest. Columbia River views, steep rugged tree covered cliffs and waterfalls make it engaging to keep your eyes on the road. Multnomah Falls is hard to drive by; without stopping to look in awe as 150cu ft/s of water cascades down the face of the falls.

Designed as a lodge in 1925, and now on the National Register of Historical Places, the Inn at the falls serves as a restaurant, gift shop, traveler facts center and a place to wet your whistle. Only 35 miles from Portland, it is the tallest waterfall in Oregon and the third largest year round falls in the United States.

The ride from Portland to Hood River is dotted with waterfalls. If you take the old highway, look for the exit off I-84, you will drive the Historic Columbia River Highway and will be able to pull off and view these falls up close.

Heading East, the historic highway reconnects with I-84 near the town of Cascade Locks, the gateway to the Bridge of the Gods. A great place to stop and buy some locally caught fresh Salmon and also get a close up look at one of the truly beautiful bridges of the Columbia River Gorge.

Arriving in Hood River you explore a vibrant quaint town that prides itself on fine dining, friendly brew pubs, coffee shops and a range of accommodations. The climate is salutary and active. Benefitting tremendously from the windsurfing and kite sailing industry, Hood River is the excellent home base to start off each morning and end each night of any type of Columbia Gorge Golf Getaway.

Within twenty miles of uptown Hood River you will find three golf courses, two 18 hole courses (Hood River Country Club and Indian Creek Golf Course) and one spectacular 9 hole policy Across the river in Husum Washington (Husum Golf Course). The climate at all three is definitely relaxed and influenced by the dramatic setting; views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood are prevalent.

Coming back down the Columbia River Gorge, heading west on the Washington side, you enter the town of Stevenson. Here again you find a small Gorge town that has more than its share of good food and drink. The Big River Grill and the Walking Man Brew Pub are two places you'll want to make a point of stopping at. For an old fashion burger, fries and shake experience, the Viking is one of Stevenson's long established eateries.

Just face of Stevenson, is the Skamania Lodge; set on the banks of the Columbia on 175 wooded acres the lodge has a state of the art spa and wellness center with a engaging 18 hole golf course. This is a great destination to include on your golf outing to the Gorge. The golf policy is an 18-hole, par-70 golf layout that is beautifully tucked into the resort's property. With commanding views of the Columbia River Gorge, the golf at Skamania is engaging and an feel that will stay with you for a long time.

Leaving Skamania, and chronic west for about 10 miles, you will find Beacon Rock Golf Course, a 9 hole policy that offers views many destination resort courses would love to have. Local flavor is the order of the day here. Do not expect great fanfare here, because all you will find is a low key pro shop with a quaint caf and a well maintained fun golf policy that is surrounded by the majesty of the Columbia River Gorge.

The whole Columbia Gorge golf getaway can be done in two days, depending on the number of golf you want to play; or it can be done at a slow pace and take up an extended weekend. The charm is, you will spend more time face your car than you will inside it. If done with stops for sightseeing, you will never drive more than 35 miles at a time. The only qoute you might have is a sore neck from straining to see the endless landscape that makes the Columbia River Gorge the magnificent road trip it is.

Happy and safe travels.

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Columbia River Gorge Golf Getaways Are a Great Way to Relax and Spend Time With a Few Close Friends