The Columbia and Snake: Portland to Hells Canyon through the Columbia Gorge, in Lewis and Clark’s wake.
The Columbia and Snake river cruise runs from Portland, Oregon, east through the Columbia River Gorge, past Multnomah Falls, Hood River and The Dalles, through eight locks and the dry country of eastern Washington to Clarkston on the Idaho border, with a jet-boat day into Hells Canyon and wine in Walla Walla. Most itineraries add Astoria and the mouth of the river where Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific. American Cruise Lines sails it with modern riverboats and the paddlewheeler American West, and Lindblad Expeditions runs it expedition-style on National Geographic Sea Bird and Sea Lion. Every sailing is here, with full sorting by month, length and departure. Call 1-800-444-1560 and a river cruise expert prices the options for your dates.
Three ways to sail the Columbia and Snake
Pick a departure and the list below filters to it.
Portland to Clarkston, eastbound
- Astoria, the Columbia Gorge, Multnomah Falls, Hood River, The Dalles, the Palouse and Walla Walla
- Hells Canyon jet-boat excursion from Clarkston on the last full day
- A hotel night in Portland before you board on most itineraries
Best for: first American river cruise, Lewis and Clark history, Pacific Northwest scenery
Clarkston to Portland
- Fly into Spokane or Lewiston, start with Hells Canyon and finish in Portland
- The same stops in reverse with the Gorge saved for the end
- Pairs with a stay in Portland or the Oregon coast afterwards
Best for: anyone combining the cruise with Oregon or Washington
Lindblad and National Geographic
- National Geographic Sea Bird and Sea Lion, 62 guests, Zodiacs and kayaks
- Naturalists and historians on board, round trip from Portland
- Six nights, with the Snake to Hells Canyon and the Columbia to Astoria
Best for: active travelers, small-ship fans, wildlife
Columbia and Snake river cruise deals: every sailing
Every Columbia and Snake sailing from American Cruise Lines and Lindblad Expeditions. Lindblad fares are priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included; American Cruise Lines fares are by phone, because the line does not publish them online. Sort by month, length and departure.
SmartCruiser picks
Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery Columbia and Snake sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. SmartCruiser instant savings and bonus onboard credit are provided by SmartCruiser on top of the cruise line’s price and are not available when booking direct; amounts are per stateroom, vary by stateroom category and are shown for the lowest category offered. Special SmartCruiser rates are pricing SmartCruiser holds on that sailing for its clients, with extra onboard credit; you book your own stateroom and travel on your own. Senior fares apply to guests 55 and over; resident fares need proof of residency in a listed state or province at check-in; police and fire fares apply to active or retired police, fire and EMT personnel with ID. Qualifier-fare savings are measured against the best fare the cruise line offers the general public for the same stateroom category on the day the list was pulled, updated weekly.
Pick your embarkation city
Each button filters the list above.
Which line for the Columbia and Snake?
Two lines sail the rivers. Our one-line take on each, with a link to its deals page.
When to go
The Columbia and Snake sail from March to November. These windows have the most space and the best weather for what they offer.
Columbia and Snake river cruise questions we answer every day
Where does a Columbia and Snake cruise go?
Between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington: Astoria, the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls, Hood River, The Dalles, Richland or Pasco for Walla Walla wine country, and the Snake River to Clarkston with a jet-boat trip into Hells Canyon. Lindblad’s version is a round trip from Portland.
How long is the cruise?
7 nights on the water on American Cruise Lines, sold as an 8-day trip with a hotel night in Portland the evening before; 6 nights on Lindblad’s expedition ships.
How many locks are there?
Eight on the Columbia and Snake, including the four-lock Snake River staircase and John Day, the highest single-lift lock in the United States at more than 100 feet.
Why are American Cruise Lines fares by phone?
The line does not publish fares to booking engines, so our system cannot price them live. Call 1-800-444-1560 and we quote the exact sailing, with taxes and port fees included, while you are on the phone.
Are taxes and fees included in the prices here?
Yes. Every price shown includes cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses. Flights, hotel nights where not included, gratuities and optional excursions are extra.
Do you have other American rivers?
Yes: the Mississippi from New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul, and every US river itinerary on our United States river cruises page.
Talk to a Columbia and Snake river cruise specialist
Tell us your dates and we price American Cruise Lines and Lindblad side by side, with taxes and port fees included and the Portland hotel night and flights worked out. Monday to Thursday 9 to 6, Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 10 to 6 ET.