Fall in Love with a Small Town

It’s not a trip if you don’t find a new place you love to eat, or a place you’d love to stay. Use this guide to explore Troutdale’s shops, restaurants, and surrounding areas. Fall in love with a small town once again.

In Troutdale

Historic Edgefield
Plan a stay at the beautiful Edgefield Hotel, in Troutdale, or drop in for a day visit. Edgefield’s 74 acres host a par-3 golf course, sprawling vineyard, multiple restaurants and a glass blower you can stop in to watch work. Enjoy a drink, stroll the grounds, or go to a movie or concert. It’s all there.

From a farm, to a hospital, Edgefield has a long and storied history. Nearly torn down in the 1980’s, the property was saved by the Troutdale Historical Society and sold to the McMenamin family. Ask about the history at Edgefield and uncover it for yourself.

Est. 1911

Est. 1911

Downtown
Take a stroll downtown. Spend time in the Caswell Gallery for bronze sculptures that capture the natural beauty of the Gorge. Stop into the Columbia River Gallery for more art and world class framing. If you come in on the first Friday of the month, step in with the bronze sculptor Rip Caswell and other renowned artists for an art walk.

Sit a spell at the Troutdale General Store for a cup of coffee with decor that will take you back in time.

Visit the Columbia Gorge Outlet Mall to pick up anything you might have forgotten.

For more information visit the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce.

Est. 1890

Est. 1890

Museums
If you’ve explored the King of Roads exhibit and are looking for more, you’re in luck. The Harlow House, located right next to the Barn Museum holds an impressive exhibit on Troutdale’s history. Then stop by the Depot, a decommissioned Union Pacific Rail Depot.

Fishing
Find out what fish are in the Sandy at any given time at Mark’s Snack and Tackle. Taste what the river has to offer and then pick up some gear of your own. Then head off to one of the numerous fishing spots along the Sandy or Columbia Rivers.

Around Troutdale

Food on the Highway
On your way back into Troutdale stop by Shirley’s Tippy Canoe restaurant or Tad’s Chicken ‘n Dumplings. Shirley’s has a great variety, while Tad’s is a meat lovers paradise with steak and of course Chicken ‘n Dumplings. Both are highly recommended.

Historic Automobile Club
While traveling the HCRH from Troutdale, stop by for a look at the former Portland Automobile Club and grounds, now owned by Junki and Linda Yoshida(Be respectful, it is private property). It is at the west end of the Stark Street Bridge.

The Bridal Veil Post Office
Make the invitations to your special day even more special by sending them with a post mark from the last building still standing from Bridal Veil’s old lumber mill days. Select your stamps and treasure the moment. If you are not a bride, stop by anyway for a photo in front of one of the smallest post offices in the country, one of the Gorge’s unique and special places, just 100 square feet of bustling post office. While in Bridal Veil, drive by Forest Hall for a look at one of the original roadhouses (it’s a private residence so please respect the privacy of the residents). Also take a peek through the hedge at the Jacobsen Mansion, now a home for a group of Franciscan nuns who restored the home to its original grandeur.

The Sandy River Delta
Drive or bike to the Sandy River Delta – and don’t forget your binoculars. Opportunities for bird watching, dog walking and more abound. Go to the easily accessible Maya Lin’s Confluence Project bird blind and spy the Lazuli Buntings in the spring and summer with bright blue spots of color. Listen for the slow, rhythmic pecking of the huge Pileated woodpecker, or the fast hammering of the sapsuckers and downy woodpeckers. Let the forest take over your senses.

Oxbow Park
Just a few miles outside of Troutdale, Oxbow Park is a great campground along the Sandy river. Whether you’re there to camp or just for a day visit there is plenty to do. Explore the 15 miles of trail in the Oxbow forest while you’re there and run into deer, beavers, elk and more. If it’s hot jump in the Sandy river to cool off, or better yet take a boat out onto the water.

Visit the park in October for a ‘salmon walk’: an up close and personal view of fall chinook spawning.

Fair warning – the Sandy River is a strong and dangerous river. There are numerous holes and deep spots near to the shore, and the water is cold year round. Life jackets are recommended if you plan to play in the river, especially for children.

There is a $5 entrance fee.