A Vegan Friendly Guide in Troutdale, Oregon | Gateway To The Columbia Gorge
Note: This article contains affiliate links where I make a super small percentage that helps support this platform. I was also hosted a stay in exchange to share my experience. With that, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Columbia River Gorge is one of the 7 wonders of Oregon. It begins near Troutdale, Oregon (just east of Portland) and extends eastward to the Deschutes River near The Dalles, acting as a border between Oregon and Washington. The Gorge is known for its dramatic 4,000-foot deep cliffs and numerous waterfalls.
I am lucky that I grew up in Oregon and have lived here most of my adulthood. Over the years, after much exploration, I’ve accumulated a lot of favorite spots that I recommend to anyone visiting the Gorge for the first time or is returning. If you’re wanting to explore this beautiful wonder, here’s a vegan friendly itinerary and guide to my favorites in the Gorge for you to make the most of your exploration.
Where to Stay
Troutdale is known for having the famous McMenamins Edgefield hotel but If you’re looking for a more private, spacious, and comfortable stay. I highly recommend My Gorgeous Getaway. Airbnbs created by a lovely couple who are Troutdale locals.
Why I love this stay
Not only is it spacious whether you’re traveling on your own, with a fellow travelers or even a small group. It is a comfortable stay that is in close distance to everything. Including the PDX airport, downtown Portland, nearby food carts and restaurants, and of course the beautiful Columbia gorge.
I stayed at the Zen Fir Retreat. A zen themed 2-bedroom townhouse. It is in an ideal location made it the perfect basecamp.
A beautiful and peaceful stay at Zen Fir Retreat in Troutdale - Photo by Vegan Ventures
Photo by Vegan Ventures
They also have the Gorge Oasis that is next door. This is another great option if you’re looking for a spacious stay or if you’re with a big group and need more rooms!
Be sure to mention that you’re vegan when booking! They supply the townhome with delicious snacks and I was blown away by the yummy vegan snacks and drinks that were provided.
This was such a nice surprise from the hosts! All vegan goodies! - Photo by Vegan Ventures
Start Your Morning With…
While the townhouse has a beautiful spacious kitchen with an island with all the amenities for you prepare your own meal, but if you want to eat out for breakfast. A good, vegan friendly spot is Ki Coffee. A charming, spacious Japanese-American café. They have bagels, bagel sandwiches, and regular sandwiches that can easily be made vegan. Lots of fun lattes to try as well. They even have an ube latte and the syrup is vegan!
Veggie Sandwich and ube latte from Ki Coffee - Photo by Vegan Ventures
Gateway To The Gorge
With the Columbia River Gorge having hundreds of potential stops, which includes 77+ waterfalls, numerous viewpoints, hiking trails, and small towns along an ~85-mile stretch, it makes it hard to pick and choose what to see. Especially if you have limited time. Though here are some of my favorites along the Gorge to help plan your day out. Many of these are easily accessible so you can hit up a lot of these spots in one day unless you decide to do some of the hikes.
View Points in The Gorge
Vista House - Photo by Vegan Ventures
The Vista House is a historic 1918, Art Nouveau-style observatory and “comfort station”. It provides a great view point of the Gorge as it is perched 733 feet above the Columbia River.
Inside the Vista House you’ll find a restored 1918 rest stop and memorial featuring an interpretive center, museum exhibits on the Columbia River Gorge and local history, a gift shop, an espresso bar, and detailed interior architecture—including Alaskan marble floors and opalized glass windows.
Oregon State Parks parking permit required. You can pay onsite or through the Oregon State Parks website.
The view from the Vista House - Photo by Vegan Ventures
Mitchell Point Tunnel - Photo by Vegan Ventures
This is a 655-foot-long, pedestrian and bike-only tunnel that features five iconic arched windows with expansive Columbia River views. The original opened in 1915 but it was destroyed in 1966 to make way for Interstate 84.
This version is a recreation of the 1915 tunnel and it opened in 2025. It is a 1.5-mile, stroller-friendly paved trail section that offers a unique, safe, and dramatic, car-free experience in the heart of the gorge.
Parking is limited with only 18 spaces (including one ADA spot) available. It is accessible exclusively from eastbound I-84 at Exit 58.
This famous lookout features stunning, panoramic sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge, including sights of Phoca Rock and Beacon Rock.
Parking is limited but it is free to park.
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
This viewpoint was developed through the efforts of the Portland Women's Forum in the 1950s to prevent private development and protect the natural beauty of the area. It offers panoramic views of the Vista House and the Gorge.
Must-See Waterfalls in The Gorge - Easy to walk to
It is Oregon’s tallest waterfall, which is why this waterfall is a must when visiting the Columbia Gorge. It is a two-tier waterfall formed by Missoula floods thousands of years ago that is 620 ft tall.
You can easily walk to the waterfall from the parking lot but if you want to get even closer to the falls, there is the Benson Bridge that sits in the middle of the falls. A pedestrian bridge built in 1914 spans the lower cascade, offering a classic, close-up viewpoint of the upper falls and allows you to feel the mist.
Parking at Multnomah Falls is available in the I-84 center-median lot (Exit 31), which requires a $2 timed-use permit from May to September. Alternative parking includes paid private lots ($20+) or using shuttles, as the main lot fills quickly. During peak season (May–Labor Day), booking a permit on Recreation.gov is essential.
Just west of Multnomah Falls is the beautiful Wakheena Falls. A 242-foot tiered, fan-shaped waterfall.
Photo by Vegan Ventures
An easily accessible waterfall that is across the street from the parking lot with an easy access viewpoint. What you see is a beautiful 224-foot plunge waterfall. There is also 2-mile loop trail with a rustic bridge.
There is a small parking lot and it is free.
Photo by Vegan Ventures
You can easily see Horsetail Fall as you drive along the historic highway and it’s also easily accessible as its directly across the parking lot. You get to see this beautiful 176-foot plunge waterfall.
Parking is limited here but it is free!
My Favorite Hikes in The Columbia Gorge
The view at the top of Angel’s Rest is my absolute favorite! Especially at sunset. -Photo by Vegan Ventures
My favorite hike of all-time because the view at the top never gets old. It’s a 4.8-mile out-and-back hike and when you reach the top of the 1,500-foot long elevation, you get 270-degree views of the river and mountains as well as both Oregon and Washington state.
Oregon State Parks parking permit required. You can pay onsite or through the Oregon State Parks website. Parking is limited here so be sure to arrive early.
The iconic punch bowl falls - Photo by Vegan Ventures
Walk through the Eagle Creek Trail and there you will find the beautiful Punch Bowl Falls. The hike itself is moderate and is 4.7-mile roundtrip.
Parking: A valid Recreation Pass is required at the Eagle Creek trailhead.
Tunnel Falls - Through Eagle Creek
You can walk through this tunnel cave that is behind the 172 ft (52 meters) waterfall - Photo by Vegan Ventures
This waterfall is absolutely breathtaking and one of my all-time favorites as well. It is a 12 mile round-trip hike and it is absolutely worth the journey.
Continue down the Eagle Creek trail and enjoy the historic marvel from the early 1900s, carved into basalt rock, offering narrow, exciting sections that include metal chain handholds for safety.
Tunnel Falls itself is a 172-foot waterfall and there is a 100-foot tunnel that is directly behind that you can walk through. See my video walking through the tunnel.
Would you prefer a guided experience? Consider a shuttle tour that starts in Troutdale.
My Favorite Spots For Lunch and/or Dinner in Troutdale
Near the main street in Troutdale is The Highlands Food Cart Pod. It includes a beer garden and taproom with non-alcoholic options as well as a curated selection of food carts with a scenic outdoor patio. While some of the carts are vegan friendly, a cart I HIGHLY recommend is Lulu Food Place. An, “Aloha-inspired” food truck that serves vibrant Hawaiian-fusion comfort food. They have some incredible vegan options, which include their shoyu curls and fried made with Soy curls marinated in sweet soy, ginger, garlic & onion and their spicy fried tofu. Delicious Tempura fried tofu tossed in our gochuglaze sauce. Both can be made vegan by subbing the sides with a vegan mac salad. Though both already come with rice and their cilantro citrus salad. They have other options as well but these two dishes are a must with portion sizes so big, you can share.
The most delicious vegan options at Lulu Food Place. Photo by Vegan Ventures.
Another great vegan friendly option is the famous Sugarpine Drive-In. They have a seasonal menu offering soups, salads, and sandwiches and their famous soft serve. And yes, they have vegan options when it comes to their soft serve as well!
Sugarpine has fantastic vegan options for both their dessert and lunch options.. Photo by Vegan Ventures
Evening Entertainment
Just a 2 minute drive from the townhouse stay, stop by Edgefield Power Station for a movie of the latest movie. It’s a cozy theater that only plays one film at a time. Located right inside the Power Station Pub. The pub has vegan friendly options.
Meet Ashley Castellanos of Vegan Ventures.
Vegan foodie, traveler, event/tour producer
