Skamania Lodge
A Columbia River Gorge resort featuring treehouses, Northwest dining, and panoramic river views.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
Nestled in the hills an hour from Portland, Skamania Lodge provides a scenic base for exploring the Columbia River Gorge. The property earns strong marks for comfortable beds, Pacific Northwest dining, and unique accommodations like luxury treehouses with soaking tubs. However, guests frequently note that service in the restaurants can be slow when understaffed, and older unrenovated rooms can feel dark and dated for the price. 1218513
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Guests consistently praise the expansive views of the Columbia River Gorge from the floor-to-ceiling windows, Riverview Pavilion, and outdoor patio dining. 521
- Accommodations in the treehouses and glamping tents impress visitors with spa-like walk-in showers, deep soaking tubs facing the forest, and plush robes. 91
- The grounds offer convenient proximity to outdoor recreation, including local hot springs, rafting, hiking trails, and Multnomah Falls. 18
- Beds are notably comfortable across room types, highlighted by Pendleton blankets and quiet forest surroundings. drawn from the full read
The catch
- While guests in newly renovated rooms appreciate modern amenities and earthy decor, those in older rooms report dark interiors and dated bathrooms with small towels. 132
- Dining reviews vary between praise for dishes like the steelhead omelet and oxtail risotto and frustration over slow service from short-handed waitstaff. 31
Who it's for
- — Couples booking treehouse or glamping getaways
- — Weekend travelers driving from Portland
- — Columbia River Gorge sightseeing trips
Skip it if
- — Travelers on a strict budget
- — Light sleepers sensitive to nearby train noise
- — Guests who expect fast restaurant service
Seen on camera
5 moments · 2 videos · Skamania Lodge
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“one of my favorite things about this property for team Retreats is the amount of different spaces so like the variety of…”
youtube.com0:17“something that I really love about this space is it's close proximity to the lodge especially for your first night every…”
youtube.com0:44“and of course the view is always amazing in the Riverview Pavilion”
youtube.com1:07“The next morning, we enjoyed coffee on our balcony before heading to the onsite restaurant for breakfast. You have to ge…”
youtube.com0:45“Afterwards, we grabbed sandwiches at the cabin drive-thru, which was super cute and the sandwiches were surprisingly goo…”
youtube.com1:09Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
No loyalty-earning direct rate was found for these dates, so the lowest cash rate is shown first.
Prices shown are an estimated range, not a live quote — the booking site confirms the real rate for your dates.
This sits inside our estimated range for this hotel.
Confidence: low · modelled estimate, not a live quote. Check the supplier for the real rate on your dates.
Score breakdown
How the 80/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
88- “But the bathroom (housed in its own smaller canvas tent steps from the main living area) is the showstopper. A deep soaking tub faces a canvas flap that rolls up to reveal the forest, with robes and slippers to make the experience all the more cozy.” 9
- “The roomy walk-in shower had unbelievably good water pressure, perfect for soaking sore muscles after a day exploring the grounds.” 9
Location
94- “Yes, great location. Close to gorge and hot springs.” 14
- “So what were the drawbacks to staying at Skamania Lodge? There really weren't any with the exception that there were multiple trains that went on the tracks that were very close to where the glamping tent cabins are. I know that the lodge can't do anything about the trains, but they were so frequent, about every 45 minutes with horns blowing.” 18
Room
81Service
85- “Carving station staff was not professional and plates need to be provided at the carving station. Crab was awesome.” 3
- “D Dale Portland1 review Dined on December 25, 2024 Overall 5 Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 5 Our food was wonderful, and the service from waiter Warren outstanding. Our food was wonderful, and the service from waiter Warren outstanding. We made sure to sit in his section the next day.” 3
Bed & Sleep
83Value
74- “First night was a Valentine pre-set menu for two with a set price. Second night we chose from the menu. All excellent. I was impressed with the Oxtail risotto.” 3
- “I've stayed at the Columbia gorge hotel and spa and it is really cute! I did find it overpriced and a little old fashioned for older rooms and not wonderful service.” 13
Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-08-29
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
Falls short of what $ usually buys
Scores 6 points below the modest median of 86, across 247 hotels in the same bracket.
- This hotel
- 80
- Bracket median
- 86
- Index median
- 90
Based on 247 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
No location within the hotel draws repeated complaints yet.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 78 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “Food was lackluster but convenient.” 14
- “On Sunday nights a Prime Rib special is offered in the beautiful Cascade Dining Room. And the new chef has maintained the tradition of a delightful Sunday Champagne Brunch.” 5
- “Delicious food and good service. If you're staying at the lodge (or in the nearby cabins), it's an easy option for evening dining.” 3
- “I ordered a smoked beet and citrus salad from the starter menu and sweet spicy nuts tinged with bacon for the table. My partner got the mushroom skillet with Rogue smokey bleu cheese and a red-wine demi-glace. One teenager got a 10-inch pizza, which was big enough for two people to share, and the other got a burger. Everyone was happy.” 18
- “It features tasty NW inspired dishes like the steelhead omelet. We enjoyed a great dinner here, too. We sat outdoors, dining with a view of the Columbia River Gorge.” 1
- “The kids worked up an appetite and we opted for the delicious breakfast buffet in the Cascade Dining Room. It was wonderful, very filling - and again, we had a breathtaking view.” 7
- “Lunch at the River Rock restaurant in the resort was a delicious Northwest Cobb Salad and I don't know what they used for dressing, but it was scrumptious.” 2
- “Good food. Not inexpensive.” 14
- “Have had catered meals by Skamania that I still dream about! Maybe their restaurant isn't as good? I've never tried it.” 13
- “The food was absolutely delicious! I would go again for the food, maybe a to go order.” 3
- “The cuisine we sampled at Skamania Lodge's two dining rooms was distinctively Pacific Northwest, hearty enough for the active appetite yet appealing to most all who dine there.” 5
- “No need to leave Skamania Lodge when you get hungry. You'll find great dining options throughout the day between the Cascade Dining Room and River Rock lounge.” 1
- “Beautiful facilities. Good food. Not inexpensive.” 14
- “The views of the gorge from the patio and some rooms are amazing. Morning coffee with that view... chef's kiss...” 14
- “Area around the buffet islands was quite tight.” 3
- “Then it was time for dinner at Cascade Dining Room. My favorite dishes of the night were scallops and the forest mushroom skillet.” 8
- “Both the Cascade Dining Room and River Rock, with a full bar and outdoor patio, offer excellent food, a full wine list featuring Washington wines and the always- present Columbia River Gorge view.” 5
- “D Dale Portland1 review Dined on December 25, 2024 Overall 5 Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 5 Our food was wonderful, and the service from waiter Warren outstanding. Our food was wonderful, and the service from waiter Warren outstanding. We made sure to sit in his section the next day.” 3
- “The two hotels are very different in terms of amenities--if you like the historic hotel versus a more modern hotel. I don't think the food at either is particularly good.” 13
- “Not to take away from your experience, but I have had lunch at the lodge, and it was nice.” 13
- “My husband had the pear turnover and I had the Kumquat frozen dessert. Both were delicious and a good size.” 3
- “, the Seafood Risotto was fantastic.... But the best part of dinner was the Brussel Sprouts. I DO NOT like those and this places Sprouts were absolutely amazing.” 3
- “The next morning, we enjoyed coffee on our balcony before heading to the onsite restaurant for breakfast. You have to get the Hearth Hash, trust me.” On camera80:45
- “I've never tried lunch at the lodge, but my dinner experiences there have been genuinely bad.” 13
- “Great place for Christmas dinner. We will definitely come back next year. Such a good variety of foods for everyone in our party.” 3
- “We took our drinks and strolled along the Creek Loop Trail and then went back to our cabin to prepare for dinner. We were hungry by then, so luckily there was no wait for a table in the River Rock Lounge and we're served pretty quickly.” 18
- “Champagne brunch was why we went and it was really good.” 14
- “I've never tried lunch at the lodge, but my dinner experiences there have been genuinely bad. They do, however, manage quite a decent breakfast (specifically the hazelnut french toast).” 13
- “Room service was quick and readily available for all guests in any accommodation. Both times I ordered, it showed up in under 30 minutes, almost twice as quickly as I've experienced at hotels of a similar calibre.” 9
- “Food is alright, breakfast buffet is definitely the best option over lunch and dinner.” 14
- “The food was good, not amazing (though we expected amazing). Dessert options were a little light.” 3
- “Food was very good, but I believe the waitstaff was short handed. Waited quite a while to order, and for food delivery.” 3
- “After enjoying a morning coffee on your private deck, head over to the lodge for breakfast. The menu goes beyond the standard pancakes and eggs. It features tasty NW inspired dishes like the steelhead omelet.” 1
- “Yes, great location. Close to gorge and hot springs.” 14
- “So what were the drawbacks to staying at Skamania Lodge? There really weren't any with the exception that there were multiple trains that went on the tracks that were very close to where the glamping tent cabins are. I know that the lodge can't do anything about the trains, but they were so frequent, about every 45 minutes with horns blowing.” 18
- “Food was very good, but I believe the waitstaff was short handed. Waited quite a while to order, and for food delivery. Staff well intentioned, but needed more help.” 3
- “Skamania Lodge provided robes and slippers so that we could feel extra cozy, which was nice, because we didn't bring anything for lounging in.” 18
- “Everything was clean and comfortable, but it felt old in the rooms. Kind of dark, bathrooms weren't very pretty, small towels, it felt more like a bed and breakfast than a $500 a night hotel.” 13
- “Carving station staff was not professional and plates need to be provided at the carving station. Crab was awesome. Service was great.” 3
- “I didn't care for the hostess, she was pretty rude, it also seemed like you didn't get taken care of unless you were white and a regular.” 3
- “Kind of dark, bathrooms weren't very pretty, small towels, it felt more like a bed and breakfast than a $500 a night hotel.” 13
- “Should you book a trip at the Skamania Lodge? Absolutely. It offers the uniqueness of an alternative property with all of the amenities of a traditional hotel, many times exceeding the service I've received at 5-star locales.” 9
- “The course includes seven zip lines, three sky bridges, an auto-belay, and some light trail walking between sections. It's all fully guided, and the staff kept it fun while making sure we felt safe and informed the entire time.” 9
- “The front desk staff were very understanding, and didn't hesitate to give me an extra key.” 2
- “I opted instead for room service and was not disappointed. My order arrived sooner than expected by a very nice gentleman, and I dined on a delicious grilled pub steak (cooked to order), sautéed mushrooms and asparagus spears.” 2
- “one of my favorite things about this property for team Retreats is the amount of different spaces so like the variety of spaces is really great” On camera60:17
- “Either way, you will feel fully accommodated and the staff makes it a breeze to curate the exact experience you've visited this rustic resort for.” 9
- “After a leisurely morning we went to the Red Rock Lounge and enjoyed prompt, attentive service for breakfast.” 18
- “Shoutout to the Skamania Lodge team. We always appreciate a menu that's clearly marked for food allergies. We found the servers to be very helpful when accommodating our food allergies.” 1
- “Carving station staff was not professional and plates need to be provided at the carving station.” 3
- “Both were delicious and a good size. Our server, Warren was friendly and helped us to pick a good dessert. Definitely recommend eating here!” 3
- “Carving station staff was not professional and plates need to be provided at the carving station. Crab was awesome.” 3
- “I can't stress how friendly and helpful the Skamania Lodge staff is. Don't hesitate to call them and plan any excursions.” 9
- “D Dale Portland1 review Dined on December 25, 2024 Overall 5 Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 5 Our food was wonderful, and the service from waiter Warren outstanding. Our food was wonderful, and the service from waiter Warren outstanding. We made sure to sit in his section the next day.” 3
- “Inside you'll find a king size bed with luxury linens, a huge, spa-like bathroom with plush towels and robes, and a seating area in front of an indoor/outdoor fireplace.” 12
- “Have had some serious problems there in terms of service. But these things do evolve, you never know.” 13
- “I do LOVE the river view from the top floor - it's majestic, and a real treat - but any room will be a relaxing refuge.” 7
- “I was there in July 2021 for a friend's wedding. It was roughly $400/night. Our room was adequate.” 14
- “The tent definitely has a luxury feel, but opens with a key card just like a regular hotel room. Our spacious cabin had two queen beds and everything else you would expect to find in a luxury hotel room - coffee bar, bright red Smeg refrigerator, a seating area, and modern bedroom furniture - enclosed with a zip-up screen that led out to the patio that looked over a wooded hillside.” 18
- “Hotel room was nice, so was drinking coffee by their giant fireplace.” 14
- “My favorite part was the expansive private balcony. The fireplace warms both the interior and exterior. I put on the fluffy robe, took my morning coffee outside and relaxed on the balcony while the rest of the family snoozed inside.” 1
- “For an intimate gathering, we love pairing Glacier Hall and the adjacent Boulder Terrace, a secluded patio backed by mossy, greenery-studded stones.” 4
- “Room was $200+ and felt like an old motel. Maybe they've updated the rooms.” 14
- “The decor has an elegant Northwest vibe with features like Pendleton blankets.” 1
- “Of course for me, the sunrise viewed from my bed in my fourth-floor room is a memorable experience that will draw me back.” 5
- “The view of the Gorge from my third-floor window was amazing.” 2
- “I was given a newly renovated room, updated to include modern amenities and tastefully decorated in earthy tones.” 2
- “The interior of the treehouses are spacious, much larger than your standard hotel room. We stayed in one of the newest units, named the Candy Flower.” 1
- “and of course the view is always amazing in the Riverview Pavilion” On camera61:07
- “Perched alongside a forested bluff overlooking the majestic Columbia River Gorge, Skamania Lodge's lobby, restaurants, and lawn areas provide panoramic views of the river's steel-blue waters as they wind their way through the rocky bluffs of the Cascade Range.” 18
- “For me, a recent stay at Skamania Lodge needed just one amenity... the view of the Columbia River Gorge. Every thing else is now just icing on the cake.” 5
- “But the bathroom (housed in its own smaller canvas tent steps from the main living area) is the showstopper. A deep soaking tub faces a canvas flap that rolls up to reveal the forest, with robes and slippers to make the experience all the more cozy.” 9
- “The roomy walk-in shower had unbelievably good water pressure, perfect for soaking sore muscles after a day exploring the grounds.” 9
- “The updated bathroom was standard size but very modern with granite countertops, shampoo, conditioner, great-smelling lotion, and a fantastic rain head shower.” 2
- “I've stayed at the Columbia gorge hotel and spa and it is really cute! I did find it overpriced and a little old fashioned for older rooms and not wonderful service.” 13
- “First night was a Valentine pre-set menu for two with a set price. Second night we chose from the menu. All excellent. I was impressed with the Oxtail risotto.” 3
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- 8 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Skamania Lodge
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 19/100We read 0 sources for this property, covering 0 traveler mentions, boiled down to 0 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-08-29.
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Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
5 of 6 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 18 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 13Skamania Lodge or Columbia Gorge Hotel & Span?reddit.comForum thread2026-06-08Current14 quotes used
“Everything was clean and comfortable, but it felt old in the rooms.”
Read originalreddit.com - 9This Skamania Lodge review prepares you for an ...themanual.comReview site2025-06-04Recent8 quotes used
“But the bathroom (housed in its own smaller canvas tent steps from the main living area) is the showstopper. A deep soaking tub faces a canvas flap that rolls up to reveal the forest, with robes and slippers to make the…”
Read originalthemanual.com - 18Glamping at Skamania Lodge: Nature Meets Comfort In Styleroadtripsforfamilies.comReview site2024-06-26Ageing9 quotes used
“I ordered a smoked beet and citrus salad from the starter menu and sweet spicy nuts tinged with bacon for the table. My partner got the mushroom skillet with Rogue smokey bleu cheese and a red-wine demi-glace. One teenag…”
Read originalroadtripsforfamilies.com - 14HAS anyone been to Skamania Lodge???? : r/askportlandreddit.comForum thread2023-05-16Ageing18 quotes used
“Food was lackluster but convenient.”
Read originalreddit.com - 7Exploring the Pacific NW – Skamania Lodge (Stevenson, ...queenbeetoday.comReview site2022-05-15Ageing5 quotes used
“I got the Lodge Seafood Salad - which has fresh crab, poached shrimp, smoked Steelhead, tomatoes, avocado, roasted beets, baby field greens and Louie dressing. It was delicious.”
Read originalqueenbeetoday.com - 12Glamping getaway: The Skamania Lodge tree houses in ...globeguide.caReview site2021-05-17Ageing2 quotes used
“The lodge is only a one hour drive from Portland, Oregon, and has one of the best locations of all the Columbia Gorge resorts.”
Read originalglobeguide.ca
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