Though the area nearby was a major trading center and gathering place for many Native American tribes for thousands of years, it later served as a stopping point for the Lewis & Clark expeditions of the early 1800s. Their camp is known as Rock Fort Campsite and now managed by the National Park Service. It later became an important fur-trading route and became incorporated into a city in 1851.
Today it has a population of 12,000 and serves as a recreational access point for the mid-Columbia River region and offers visitors an area rich with historical sites. The Columbia River is the state dividing line between Washington and Oregon.
When Should I Visit The Dalles, OR?
The best time to visit The Dalles for recreation and outdoor activities is the summer when the weather is typically dry and warm. Late July to late August sees high temperatures in the upper-70s to 80s and lows in the mid-50s to 60s. July and August are the months least likely to see any precipitation.
The fall, winter, and early spring, on the other hand, see cloud cover for 70% of the time, and those are the most likely months for rainfall all or most of the day. On average, 18 inches of rain falls in The Dalles, with potential snowfall in December and January.
The temperatures in the winter average in the mid-40s to 50s, with lows in the high-20s. Lows stay in the 30s well into April and temperatures start to reach the 70s in May.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in The Dalles, OR:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average price trends by star rating class in The Dalles, OR. Analyze these charts to determine the least expensive time to book a room in The Dalles for any future trips.
What Are the Top Hotels in The Dalles, OR?
4 Star Average Prices: $138.29
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites The Dalles is newly-built and equipped with features and amenities for the modern traveler. It has 93 suites on four floors with interior hallway room access. Your pets are welcome in the spacious suites and feature a 55-inch flat-screen television mounted on the wall above a desk with ample drawers and a place for luggage. Suites include a living room, wet bar with microwave, a mini fridge, and in-room coffee. Free hot breakfast is served in the lobby every morning, and Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout the hotel.
In nearby Hood River, the downtown vintage Hood River Hotel has 41 rooms on four floors with interior hallway room access. It's pet-friendly and conveniently located near top restaurants, breweries, and wineries. Historic rooms have both vintage and modern features and amenities, with free Wi-Fi, European-style bed linens, eco-friendly spa-quality bath products, and a flat-screen television. The available suites feature a full living room and a full kitchen if you want to stay in and enjoy the cityscape or Columbia River views.
The original Hood River Hotel dates back to 1888. It was renovated, added to, partially demolished, and eventually preserved into the building that stands today as Hood River's premier boutique hotel. Enjoy an authentic Scandinavian feast in the breakfast and lunch restaurant located in the hotel, Broder Ost.
The Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa is a 40-room hotel on four floors with interior hallways for guest room access. The setting is a 1920's villa perched on a scenic cliff offering stunning views of the Columbia River or the Phelps Creek gardens. The hotel is pet-friendly in select rooms, and all rooms are fitted with plush pillowtop mattresses, complimentary W-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and room service. The thoughtfully decorated rooms match the historic nature of the hotel while offering amenities the modern traveler loves.
Enjoy a meal in Simon's Cliff House Restaurant or Valentino Lounge without ever leaving the hotel. The spa features healing skin, body, and massage treatments with sustainably sourced products to offer health and wellness while maintaining awareness of the area's precious natural resources.
What Are Budget Hotels in The Dalles, OR?
3 Star Average Prices: $125.34
Super 8 The Dalles is a pet-friendly 73-room hotel on three floors. The rooms are accessed via interior hallways, and amenities include free parking, free breakfast, an outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is located near public transportation, and family or oversized rooms are available.
Motel 6 The Dalles is located just off Interstate 84. It has 70 guest rooms on two floors with exterior room access. Enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool and updated rooms with comfortable beds, a mini fridge and microwave, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen television, and free coffee in the lobby.
2 Star Average Prices: $115.14
What Hotels in The Dalles, OR Offer the Best Discounts?
The Shilo Inns Suites Hotel - The Dalles is a 112-room hotel on two floors with interior hallway room access. The hotel offers veterans and active military personnel a 20% discount. It's pet-friendly, and amenities include an outdoor seasonal pool, picnic area, room service, on-site restaurant, free continental breakfast, and fitness center. Rooms offer free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, a microwave, and in-room coffee maker.
What Are the Best Value Options in The Dalles, OR?
The Dalles Inn is a pet-friendly hotel with 64 rooms on four floors with interior hallway room access. Windows open to enjoy the fresh Oregon air coming off the river. It's located in downtown The Dalles and is within walking distance from the charming streets, restaurants, and the river itself. Rooms feature free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen television and DVD player, a coffee maker, a refrigerator, a microwave, and in-room coffee and tea. Complimentary continental breakfast is served daily, and guests can enjoy a swim in the seasonal heated outdoor pool.
The Cousins' Country Inn has 97 rooms on two floors with exterior hallway room access. Spacious rooms allow guests to move around freely and have comfortable beds and pillows. Some rooms are pet-friendly and feature a kitchenette, while all other rooms offer a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee pot, a flat-screen television, and free Wi-Fi. There's an indoor hot tub and an outdoor heated pool open seasonally along with a Tesla charging station.
What Are Things to Do in The Dalles, OR?
The Columbia River Gorge is the most popular outdoor attraction in and around The Dalles, with hiking, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, kayaking, boating, whitewater rafting, windsurfing, and camping.
Just across the river from The Dalles, Doug's Beach in Washington is a popular swimming and wind sports site. The beach is shallow for a distance from the shore for wading and watching the windsurfers and kitesurfers on the river. It has picnic tables and a generous beach. The water is monitored and tested frequently for safe swimming.
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is managed by the USDA Forest Service. They maintain some of the nation's best mountain biking trails, along with protecting the land for lake, pond, river, and stream fishing. Hiking trails are available for day trips and backpacking, and you can camp in one of the group or individual campsites in tents or RVs. Water activities include kayaking and wind sports.
Before you head out on your Columbia Gorge adventures, you may stop at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum. The award-winning architecture is on a 54-acre piece of land on the river, with extensive exhibits and films to educate about the surrounding natural landscape, the river's economic impact, the unique flora and fauna, and the centuries of cultural history. There is an admission fee with discounts offered to seniors, children, and groups booked in advance.
To see one of the campsites where Lewis and Clark stopped on their expedition, visit the Rock Fort Campsite. They stayed there for three nights after traveling on the river and returned the next year in 1806. The site has a beautiful view of Mount Hood.
A visit to The Dalles Lock and Dam Visitor Center allows you to take a tour of the dam's power generating facilities and a look into the fish ladders as they move across the dam. After the tour, you can enjoy a picnic in Seufert Park with its historic rose garden.
The City of The Dalles Riverfront Trail is an easy out and back 3-mile walk with only 200 feet of elevation gain that meanders along the Columbia River. This walk is ideal for kids and parents pushing strollers who want to take their time looking at river views and stopping to enjoy the native flora and fauna.
The Old St. Peter's Landmark is a 115-year old Catholic church that was saved from demolition in 1971 and is open today for visitors to experience the peace and tranquility of its beautiful sanctuary. It's free to the public and available to rent for events like concerts or weddings.
Though Mount Hood is visible from many places in Oregon, intrepid hikers can summit to its 11,239 feet. The hike is 4 miles from the Timberline Lodge and involves some skilled snow and ice hiking. Though the hike is relatively short, it's not easy and requires some skill and an early start in the day.
FAQs about hotels in The Dalles
How much does a cheap hotel in The Dalles cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in The Dalles can be as cheap as $115.14 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in The Dalles cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in The Dalles has been $125.34 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a luxury hotel in The Dalles cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in The Dalles has been $138.29 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
What did travelers think of the city of The Dalles?
Below are reviews of the city of The Dalles, OR from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Beautiful Views!"
Score
5.0 / 5
I loved the beautiful view from every direction and the amazing buildings history!
Dawn R., from 20-Jun-2025
""
Score
4.0 / 5
Actually just passing through
Franklin N., from 12-Jun-2025
"x"
Score
4.0 / 5
Convenient location to our destination.
Joy C., from 07-Jun-2025
"Overnight Stop"
Score
4.0 / 5
I was just there overnight I didn't go into town. It worked and was nice.
Deb M., from 29-May-2025
"Fishing on the Columbia!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The fishing on the Columbia!
Tim M., from 08-Apr-2025
"Columbia!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Columbia!
David G., from 19-Mar-2025
"Proximity to The River"
Score
5.0 / 5
Went to the river.
Andrew O., from 02-Mar-2025
"The Dallas Has Everything You Need!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Everything you need is in The Dalles!
Nancy W., from 10-Feb-2025
"Nice location"
Score
4.0 / 5
Loved the Columbia River.
Gloria L., from 19-Nov-2024
"Near the Columbia River!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Being near the Columbia River!
Colleen M., from 17-Oct-2024
"Great Town"
Score
5.0 / 5
Great town!
Jerry O., from 21-Sep-2024
"Proximity to Cruise Dock"
Score
5.0 / 5
The Dalles seems like a nice town. I was only there to pick up my husband from the cruise dock. He entertains on the ACL Cruises on the Columbia River.
Nancy S., from 21-Sep-2024
"Very Good Hot Rod Show!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Hot Rod Show was very good and well ran. I will be back next year.
John G., from 12-Aug-2024
"All the Amenities!"
Score
4.0 / 5
All the amenities!
Mike B., from 26-Jun-2024
"Very Nice"
Score
4.0 / 5
Very nice!
Darlene A., from 22-Jun-2024
"Great small town with super nice people!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Great small town with super nice people!
Michael S., from 10-Jun-2024
"Great small town with super nice people!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Great small town with super nice people!
Michael S., from 10-Jun-2024
"Great place to keep the kids busy!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Great place to keep the kids busy!
Jennifer S., from 14-May-2024
"NICE PLACE TO BE!"
Score
4.0 / 5
A NICE PLACE TO BE!
Richard H., from 01-Apr-2024
"Beautiful Place!"
Score
4.0 / 5
I like the weather the clean air! Everywhere you look is beauty!
Charles W., from 26-Mar-2024
"Like Stepping Back in Time!"
Score
5.0 / 5
There is great food everywhere. The community is fun and friendly, downtown is like stepping back in time with tons of little shops to explore and a great walk along the Columbia. Truly a great way to get a nice reprieve from the city.
Penny H., from 24-Dec-2023
"LOVE this town!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The Dalles never disappoints us. Love this town.
Rick D., from 06-Nov-2023
"Bargeway Pib was enjoyable!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Bargeway Pib was enjoyable!
Greg B., from 13-Sep-2023
"The Columbia"
Score
5.0 / 5
The Columbia
Ismael M., from 20-Aug-2023
"Columbia River"
Score
4.0 / 5
Enjoyed the Columbia River.
Judy K., from 07-Aug-2023
"The River!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The river!
James B., from 16-Jul-2023
"Clean Place"
Score
4.0 / 5
Clean place.
Laneda H., from 25-Apr-2023
"Nice Service"
Score
4.0 / 5
Just here for one night and the desk person helped us find a nice place to get a light dinner.
Donald K., from 10-Apr-2023
"Room was comfortable and clean."
Score
5.0 / 5
Very scenic. Particularly enjoyed the Civic Auditorium.
Rebecca B., from 13-Jun-2022
"Excellent Accommodations"
Score
4.0 / 5
Historical significance, scenic vistas and the best restaurant "Cousins" made the visit well worthwhile. This was a business trip (conference) and accommodations and services were excellent.
Randy K., from 12-Jun-2022
"that is just beautiful"
Score
5.0 / 5
just passing through but we stopped at Multnomah falls.
Nana K., from 30-Sep-2019
"Great Downtown "
Score
5.0 / 5
Downtown was nice.
Emma M., from 16-Jul-2019
The average traveler rating of the city of The Dalles, OR shown above is
4.5 out of 5 based on 32 reviews