The The Dalles center point is around the area of Fort Dalles Museum and the area of Downtown The Dalles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Below are reviews of the city of The Dalles, OR from an actual visitor's perspective.
A NICE PLACE TO BE!
I like the weather the clean air! Everywhere you look is beauty!
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.
The Dalles never disappoints us. Love this town.
Bargeway Pib was enjoyable!
The Columbia
Enjoyed the Columbia River.
The river!
Clean place.
Just here for one night and the desk person helped us find a nice place to get a light dinner.
Very scenic. Particularly enjoyed the Civic Auditorium.
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.
just passing through but we stopped at Multnomah falls.
Downtown was nice.