A-frames near Cascade Locks with horseback riding

The rugged Cascade Range, tumbling waterfalls, and epic cliff walls rise above the Columbia River in Cascade Locks. It's no wonder this town calls itself the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Just over 40 miles from Portland, this stretch of the river is a mecca for water sports. Sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing are just a few ways to play.

Make camp close to town at a local RV park, or nab a site at the Port of Cascade Locks' Marine park on Thunder Island. From here, you can embark on an old-fashioned sternwheeler cruise to view the Bridge of the Gods. For more river time, shove off from the marina. Just remember to BYOB (bring your own boat).

Craving Isolation? Connect with nature at Eagle Creek Campground, the oldest campground in the National Forest System. Perched on a bluff above the Columbia Gorge, this base camp gives you easy access to clifftop hiking trails. It's just one of many campgrounds scattered across Mt. Hood National Forest near Cascade Locks.

For shaded tent sites beneath a dense canopy, head to Ainsworth State Park. This lush mountain park offers hikes to Multnomah Falls and countless other cascades.

Wherever you pitch your tent, scenic mountain landscapes are always at your doorstep. The area draws big crowds in the summer, but winter camping here is just as exciting. Hike to frozen waterfalls, or enjoy world-class winter sports in Hood River and the Cascade Range. You can even try snowkiting--a mashup of snowboarding and kitesurfing.