Klickitat County, Washington · Southwest
White Salmon
Ten minutes from Hood River across the Hood River Bridge, White Salmon sits on a 550-foot bluff above the Columbia with views of Mt. Hood and a walkable main street on East Jewett Boulevard. The White Salmon River, which runs down its own valley on the west side of town, is Class III to IV with an optional 12-foot waterfall that makes this one of the most memorable commercial raft runs in the Pacific Northwest.
POPULATION
2,485
FOUNDED
1907
FROM PORTLAND
~1 hr via I-84
FROM HOOD RIVER
10 min via bridge
COUNTY
Klickitat
ELEVATION
550 ft
White Salmon sits on a bluff 550 feet above the Columbia River in Klickitat County, directly across the Hood River Bridge from Hood River, Oregon. At about 2,500 people, it is one of the Columbia River Gorge’s smaller towns, but it punches well above its size on outdoor recreation, dining, and Gorge wine access, and from May through September it is a world class windsports destination, with windsurfers and kiteboarders launching from the Washington shore.
The White Salmon River is the draw for adrenaline-seeking visitors. The commercial raft run from BZ Corner through the Husum section is Class III to IV, with the optional Husum Falls drop — a 12-foot plunge into a pool described by outfitters as the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the country. Multiple outfitters operate the run from May through September: Wet Planet Whitewater, Zoller’s Outdoor Odysseys, and River Drifters are the established operators. Book ahead in summer; this run sells out on weekends.
The downtown on East Jewett Boulevard is the compact, walkable kind: Everybody’s Brewing with its Gorge-view deck, Henni’s Kitchen and Bar for scratch-kitchen dinner, Gander and Goose for botanical cocktails, and a handful of boutiques and art studios. Mt. Hood fills the view across the river from most of town. Trout Lake, the gateway for Adams area hiking and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, is 30 minutes north on SR-141.
Hood River — one of the Pacific Northwest’s most complete small cities — is literally 10 minutes across the bridge. White Salmon residents shop there; visitors who stay in White Salmon can access Hood River’s restaurants, wineries, and Fruit Loop without the Hood River lodging prices.
Getting Here
From Portland, take I-84 East to Exit 64 in Hood River and cross the Hood River Bridge (toll: $1.75 with a BreezeBy pass, $3.50 without). On the Washington side, turn right (east) on SR-14, then follow the signs up the hill to East Jewett Boulevard, the main street. Dock Grade Road, just west of the bridge, is a one way climb straight up to town, and in December it is hung with Christmas ornaments. Total drive: about 69 miles, roughly 1 hour in normal traffic. From Seattle, take I-5 South to I-84 East, or US-12 to US-97 to SR-14; allow about 3 hours 30 minutes. Parking is free throughout the downtown area.
Things to Do
Outdoors
White Salmon River Rafting
Class III to IV commercial whitewater rafting from BZ Corner through the Husum section of the White Salmon River, with the optional 12-foot Husum Falls drop. Multiple outfitters operate daily May through September: Wet Planet Whitewater, Zoller's Outdoor Odysseys, and River Drifters. Book at least a week ahead on summer weekends — this run sells out. See Sporty in White Salmon for the full outdoor recreation picture.
Food
Everybody's Brewing
White Salmon's community brewery at 177 E Jewett Blvd, open daily from 11:30 AM, with craft IPAs, seasonal small-batch beers, burgers from local Chuck, mac and cheese, and a deck with Mt. Hood and Gorge views. The outdoor deck is the best place in White Salmon to watch the sun set over the Columbia.
Wine
Columbia Gorge Wine Tasting
White Salmon sits in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Downtown has three wine tasting rooms and a wine shop, including Le Doubblé Troubblé on East Jewett Boulevard, and about ten wineries are within a ten mile drive, among them AniChe Cellars in Underwood and COR Cellars and Syncline Winery in Lyle. On the first Saturday evening of December, the Sip and Sparkle wine walk pours from Gorge wineries all over downtown.
Outdoors
Cycling the Gorge and Fruit Loop
White Salmon is a strong base for Gorge cycling. The Klickitat Trail runs 31 miles along the Klickitat River. The Syncline and Hospital Hill mountain bike systems are in Bingen, adjacent to White Salmon. The Hood River Fruit Loop (10 minutes across the bridge) is a 35-mile scenic road route through orchards, cideries, and lavender farms. Bike rentals are available in Hood River.
Culture
Downtown White Salmon
East Jewett Boulevard is the main street: a compact, walkable strip with Everybody's Brewing, Henni's Kitchen, Gander and Goose, three wine tasting rooms, boutiques and art studios, with a new art workshop studio on the way. It gives you a genuine small town Gorge experience without Hood River's crowds.
Outdoors
Mt. Adams Access and Trout Lake
Mt. Adams, at 12,281 feet the second tallest peak in Washington, is 30 minutes north via SR-141 through Trout Lake. Hiking options include Sleeping Beauty (views of Adams, Hood, and Rainier) and Bird Creek Meadows (wildflower meadows). Langfield Falls is an easy waterfall hike in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Trout Lake Grocery and the Trout Lake Country Inn are the base facilities, and Trout Lake Hall is a popular live music venue.
Outdoors
Waterfalls and Gorge Hiking
The Buck Creek Falls trailhead is about 8 miles north of town. Dog Mountain, one of the best wildflower hikes in the western United States, starts 15 miles west and is a featured hike during the Wildflower Festival in May. Coyote Wall, 5 miles east, plus Catherine Creek and the Weldon Wagon Trail are the other spring favorites, for hiking and mountain biking alike. Beacon Rock State Park is 22 miles west with the summit trail and the Hamilton Mountain waterfall hike. See Spending a Weekend in White Salmon for a full itinerary.
Outdoors
Hood River, Oregon
Ten minutes across the Hood River Bridge, Hood River is one of the Pacific Northwest's most complete small cities. Windsurfing and kiteboarding on the Columbia, the Hood River Fruit Loop, Mount Hood access, and an extensive dining and brewery scene make it a natural extension of any White Salmon visit. Bridge toll: $1.75 with a BreezeBy pass, $3.50 without.
Outdoors
Windsurfing and Kiteboarding
White Salmon is a world class windsports destination. From May through September the wind funnels up the Columbia, and windsurfers and kiteboarders come from all over the world to ride it, with several launch spots on the Washington shore close to town.
“The White Salmon River drops over the 12-foot Husum Falls on its way to the Columbia. Multiple commercial outfitters run this section daily in summer. It is not a beginner run, and that is exactly the point.”
Explore Washington State
Where to Stay
Inn of the White Salmon
A 22-room boutique B&B and hotel in downtown White Salmon, eco-friendly with a local artist gallery section, outdoor garden patio, and a family suite with king bed plus twin bunks. The main lodging option for visitors who want to stay in the White Salmon core.
Book directThe Society Hotel Bingen
A converted old schoolhouse in Bingen (adjacent to White Salmon, about 1 mile away) with private cabins featuring kitchenettes and hammocks, plus bunk-style rooms. On-site Scandinavian-inspired hydrotherapy spa.
Check availabilityVacation Rentals
More than 275 vacation rental properties are listed around White Salmon on Airbnb and VRBO, ranging from orchard-area cabins to Columbia River-view homes. Strong options for groups and families wanting more space than boutique hotel rooms provide.
Search on AirbnbThe Iconica
A newer vacation rental hotel and residences right downtown at 119 W Jewett Blvd, across the street from the Inn of the White Salmon. Its suites include full kitchens, so it suits longer stays and families who want room to spread out.
Visit websiteUnder Canvas Columbia River Gorge
Glamping a few minutes north of town in the White Salmon Valley, at 433 Oak Ridge Road. Every canvas tent has a gas fireplace and its own bathroom, and stargazer tents have a window over the bed. Open late April to late October.
Check availabilityFind a Cabin Near White Salmon
Find a Cabin Near White Salmon
Food & Drink
Everybody’s Brewing (177 E Jewett Blvd) has served White Salmon since 2008 with craft IPAs and seasonal small-batch beers, burgers from 100% chuck, mac and cheese, and a deck with Mt. Hood and Gorge views. Open daily from 11:30 AM. Henni’s Kitchen and Bar (120 E Jewett Blvd) is the dinner destination — scratch kitchen with seasonal and local ingredients, Wednesday through Saturday 5 to 9 PM and Sunday and Monday evenings. Reservations by text at 509.493.1555. Gander and Goose (216 E Jewett Blvd, Suite 1) opened in October 2023 with botanical cocktails and a bar lounge concept; open Wednesday through Saturday from 4 PM. White Salmon Baking Co. on NE Estes Avenue is the morning stop for artisan bread, pastries, and local coffee before heading out on the river.
Festivals & Events
May
White Salmon Wildflower Festival
The entire month of May is organized around the Columbia River Gorge's 800-plus wildflower species, with a Wildflower Half Marathon, a Wine Walk on East Jewett Boulevard, Gorge Open Studio Tours, and guided wildflower hikes. Now in its fourth year in 2026.
Summer
Nights in White Salmon
Free evenings downtown on the third Thursday of each month, June through September, with live music, local makers, food, wine and craft beer at shops and restaurants around town.
September
Bingen Huckleberry Festival
Held the weekend after Labor Day at Daubenspeck Park in Bingen (adjacent to White Salmon), the free festival includes a Fireman's Breakfast, a parade, a 5K run, basketball tournament, and huckleberry food and jam. A genuine community harvest celebration running for decades.
October
Mountain Town Throwdown
A Saturday celebration of music, art and beer in downtown White Salmon each fall. Tickets are sold in advance and at the door.
December
Village Lights and Sip and Sparkle
Always the first weekend of December: the tree lighting, carolers, Santa photos and alpacas, a holiday fun run, library crafts and a Festival of Making, with the Sip and Sparkle wine walk on Saturday evening.
Day Trips
Hood River, Oregon is 10 minutes across the Hood River Bridge (toll: $1.75 with a BreezeBy pass, $3.50 without). The Hood River Fruit Loop is a 35-mile scenic drive past orchards, cideries, and lavender farms that pairs naturally with a White Salmon base. Goldendale, Washington is approximately 47 miles east on SR-14, about 53 minutes — home to the Goldendale Observatory and Maryhill Museum of Art. Stevenson, Washington is approximately 22 miles west on SR-14, about 25 minutes, with Beacon Rock State Park and the Columbia Gorge Museum. Trout Lake is 30 minutes north on SR-141, the trailhead for Mt. Adams hiking, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and the Natural Bridges ice caves, and home to Trout Lake Hall, a popular live music venue.
Planning Your Visit
White Salmon is best as an overnight base for a Gorge-centered trip, particularly if you are combining river rafting, wine tasting, and Hood River day access. Book White Salmon River raft trips at least a week ahead in July and August — the Husum Falls section sells out on weekends. Henni’s Kitchen takes reservations via text and fills up on Thursday through Saturday evenings. The Inn of the White Salmon is the main downtown boutique option; book ahead in summer. The White Salmon Wildflower Festival runs all of May with guided wildflower hikes, a half marathon, a wine walk and open studio tours — an excellent time to visit if you want organized programming alongside the outdoor activities.
More White Salmon on EWS
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Get your free cardFrequently Asked Questions
What is White Salmon, Washington known for?
White Salmon is known for whitewater rafting on the White Salmon River (Class III to IV with an optional 12-foot waterfall drop), a walkable downtown on East Jewett Boulevard with Everybody’s Brewing and Henni’s Kitchen, and its position 10 minutes from Hood River, Oregon across the Hood River Bridge. Mt. Hood views, Columbia Gorge wine tasting, and the May Wildflower Festival add to a destination that offers more outdoor and culinary depth than its size suggests.
Is White Salmon Washington worth visiting?
Yes, especially for visitors who want Gorge access with a lower-key base than Hood River. White Salmon sits on a bluff above the Columbia with Mt. Hood views, a walkable main street, one of the best brewery decks in the Gorge (Everybody’s Brewing), and a top-rated scratch-kitchen restaurant (Henni’s). The White Salmon River rafting run through Husum Falls is one of the most memorable commercial raft runs in the Pacific Northwest.
How far is White Salmon from Hood River?
White Salmon is approximately 10 minutes from Hood River, Oregon via the Hood River Bridge. The toll is $1.75 with a BreezeBy pass, $3.50 without. Hood River is visible from White Salmon’s bluff position above the Columbia. Most White Salmon visitors cross frequently for Hood River restaurants, wineries, and the Fruit Loop.
Can you raft the White Salmon River?
Yes. The White Salmon River commercial run from BZ Corner through the Husum section is Class III to IV, with the optional Husum Falls drop (12 feet). Multiple outfitters operate from May through September including Wet Planet Whitewater, Zoller’s Outdoor Odysseys, and River Drifters. Book at least a week ahead in July and August — summer weekend slots fill up.
What is Husum Falls?
Husum Falls is a 12-foot drop on the White Salmon River near Husum, Washington, described by commercial operators as the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the country. It is the centerpiece of the White Salmon River commercial raft run. The falls are optional — rafters can portage if they choose. Multiple outfitters offer guided runs through the Husum section from May through September.
How far is White Salmon from Portland?
White Salmon is approximately 69 miles east of Portland, about 1 hour in normal traffic via I-84 East to Hood River and across the Hood River Bridge. The drive is straightforward along the Columbia River.
What is there to do near White Salmon in winter?
Winter is the quietest season in White Salmon, except for the first weekend of December, when Village Lights and the Sip and Sparkle wine walk fill downtown. Everybody’s Brewing and Henni’s Kitchen remain open. Mt. Hood skiing is accessible in about 1 hour via Hood River and US-26. The Columbia Gorge itself has dramatic off-season scenery. Most White Salmon River rafting outfitters close in October and reopen in May. Hood River across the bridge has more year-round dining and activity options than White Salmon proper.