Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise

Named in honor of William Clark of the renowned Lewis and Clark Expedition, Clarkston, Washington, is a historic town with deep ties to the Nez Perce tribe, the original stewards of the surrounding land.

Settle into your comfortable hotel and explore Clarkston at your own pace. Visit local parks, discover a boutique winery, or stroll along 6th Street and through downtown Clarkston. Browse local art galleries, stop at Wasem’s old-fashioned soda fountain, explore unique shops, and experience the welcoming character of this small Washington town.

Take time to observe the changing landscapes and wildlife along the river. As you travel its winding course, look for towering cliffs, forested hills, and rolling countryside. Watch for bald eagles soaring overhead and ospreys diving into the water as they search for fish.

On board, join activities and listen to lectures about the river’s history and surrounding landscape. You can also spend time on the expansive top deck, where you have a clear vantage point for spotting wildlife along the shore.

Richland is situated at the meeting point of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers, a place shaped first by Ice Age floods and later by the Atomic Age. Dock right along the waterfront with American Cruise Lines and set out to see how the past continues to shape this part of the Pacific Northwest.

Step inside the REACH Museum to learn about the area’s ancient geology, Native History, and Cold War science. Walk the ground at Sacajawea State Park, where Lewis and Clark camped among Native communities in 1805. Or spend the day in nearby Pendleton, a town where the Old West lives on. Beneath its streets, uncover tunnels that once carried trade, secrets, and survival. From riverside museums to frontier tunnels, this port stop reveals the Northwest’s history in ways both unexpected and unforgettable.

The Richland Legacy – From Pre-History to the Atomic Age – Complimentary Excursion
Explore this captivating town by motorcoach as you discover its diverse history.  Along the way, learn about the Kennewick man. Make a stop at Triton Park where you see the sail of a submarine, its control room, and learn about its connection to the Hanford Project. Next, visit the REACH Museum to discover Eastern Washington’s rich landscape and history from the Ice Age to the Atomic Age. Explore the featured galleries and rotating exhibits inside, as well as the amazing outdoor area with breathtaking views of the majestic Columbia River and surrounding scenery. Discover the geological impact of the Ice Age floods and basalt lava flows to the area. Learn about the Manhattan Project at Hanford and its continuous influence on the region.  

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes 

Richland Shuttle – Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a convenient transfer to Richland’s vibrant town center, a charming, walkable riverside district known for its welcoming atmosphere and sweeping views of the Columbia River. Explore at your own pace as you browse local boutiques, discover art galleries, and visit cafés along the Parkway. Outdoors enthusiasts can stroll the nearby Riverfront Trail for beautiful waterfront views, while nearby Howard Amon Park offers a peaceful setting to relax, wander through manicured gardens, or simply take in the surroundings.  

Activity Level: Low – Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Enjoy a relaxing day of cruising and watch the Columbia River Gorge develop from your private balcony. The dynamic landscape is truly magnificent, and you can catch the best views up on the sun deck. Engage in destination-focused enrichment programs featuring guest speakers and onboard activities. From Art Classes to sizzling Cooking Demonstrations, Mixology magic, and brain-teasing Trivia, there is so much to discover on board.

Hood River holds a name derived from the river that flows from Mount Hood into the Columbia. Once renowned as the final stop of the Mount Hood Railroad, where timber and produce embarked on their journey downstream, this town exudes a long history of trade and commerce.

Today, Hood River beckons with a tapestry of delights, from quaint shops showcasing local artisanal treasures to some of the Pacific Northwest's finest wineries and breweries. Embark on a guided kayaking expedition through the Gorge's breathtaking waters or visit the fascinating exhibits of The Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum.

Multnomah Falls - Complimentary Excursion
Plummeting 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. Experience the sights and sounds of this magnificent waterfall, fed by rain, snow-melt, and underground springs on Larch Mountain.

Admire the falls from the Visitor Center or take a short hike to Benson Bridge, one of the most photographed pieces of architecture in Oregon, to feel its misty spray and get a great photo.

Multnomah Falls also offers one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to view the basalt rock formations exposed by Ice Age Floods.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Hood River Local Loop – Complimentary Excursion
Explore the area at your leisure with the convenient shuttle into Hood River. Stops include:
 
The History Museum of Hood River County – Discover the rich history of the Columbia River Gorge, from Native American heritage and pioneer settlement to logging, agriculture, transportation, and tourism.
 
The Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM) – Explore one of the USA’s largest collections of still-flying antique aircraft and still-driving vintage automobiles, with more than 3.5 acres of exhibits celebrating the Golden Age of transportation and aviation.

Downtown Hood River - Explore downtown Hood River on your own. Take time for shopping and strolling through town.  

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

The private dock in Kalama, Washington allows you to venture where most cruises can’t reach. Take in the stunning Cascade Mountains as you journey toward nearby stoic Mount St. Helens. . Led by a knowledgeable local expert, learn about the powerful story of the volcano’s cataclysmic 1980 eruption and its lasting impact on the surrounding region.

Right off the ship’s dock, learn more about other wonders of the region at the fascinating Port of Kalama Interpretive Center. Shop like a local for fresh produce, seafood, and artisan snacks at the Mountain Timber Market. Or you can even try for a bullseye at Castle Rock Axe House for a unique local experience.

Mount St. Helens Scenic Drive - Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a scenic ride to Mount St. Helens. Mount St. Helens, located in southwestern Washington about 50 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon, is one of several lofty volcanic peaks that dominate the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. It is the youngest of the major Cascade volcanoes, in the sense that its visible cone was entirely formed during the past 2,200 years. Take in the beautiful views of the landscape and the crater left behind from the eruption.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Mountain Timber Market – Complimentary Excursion
The name “Mountain Timber Market” is a tribute to the town’s history and the original Mountain Timber Company that was a staple in the early 1900s. Nestled between two breathtaking parks along the shores of the Columbia River, this location is ideal for a day of meandering and experiencing the true essence of Kalama. Steps away from the ship, this vibrant marketplace serves as a hub where neighbors come together and create lasting connections. Immerse yourself in a world of locally sourced food and finely crafted goods, all thoughtfully curated to reflect the rich tapestry of the community.

The two-story atrium of the Mountain Timber Market also showcases a suspended 140-foot totem pole previously displayed in the nearby park. For nearly five decades the totem pole, created in the early 1960s by Chief Don Lelooska, towered over the port waterfront until weather damage forced officials to take it down in 2019 for restoration.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Port of Kalama Interpretive Center- Complimentary Excursion
Just a short walk from the ship, explore this new facility that celebrates Kalama’s unique place in Pacific Northwest history as a transportation and commercial hub, and is designed to replicate a traditional waterfront warehouse of the 1800s. Exhibits track Kalama’s first inhabitants, the Cowlitz Tribe, and the settlers that followed over the next hundred years, including renowned Oregon Trail writer Ezra Meeker. Displays illustrate how Kalama’s particular landscape gave birth to a booming transportation system, impacting the area both culturally and economically.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

This small port city, known for its charming Victorian homes that cascade down the hillside, has earned the nickname “The Little San Francisco.”

Embark on your own adventure or choose from a selection of curated excursions in Astoria that allow you to get to know this city. Immerse yourself in history with a guided tour of the National Park Service replica of Fort Clatsop, the winter camp where Lewis and Clark hunkered down during their legendary expedition.

Wander through the incredibly scenic Cape Disappointment State Park where the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center tells the duo’s story, or lose yourself in the captivating exhibits of the nearby Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Fort Stevens Exploration – Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a narrated ride to Fort Stevens. Established in 1863 during the Civil War, Fort Stevens played a vital role in protecting the Columbia River as an essential lifeline for the Union. It later evolved into a key coastal defense site during World War II. After arriving at the park, explore the fort's historic batteries, barracks, and observation posts on foot, and discover its strategic military legacy. Then, walk along the beach to see the eerie remains of the Peter Iredale shipwreck, stranded in the legendary "Graveyard of the Pacific." 

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: No

Columbia River Maritime Museum - Complimentary Excursion
Experience the Columbia River Maritime Museum on a self-guided excursion. The Columbia River Maritime Museum is the official maritime museum of the state of Oregon and also prides itself as being one of the finest maritime museums on the West Coast. 

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Astoria Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
Explore downtown Astoria on your own aboard this convenient shuttle which makes several stops on a continuous loop throughout the day including:

- Downtown Astoria - for shopping and exploring

- Heritage Museum - featuring Clatsop County’s rich and exciting history in permanent and changing exhibit galleries

- Astoria Column - a tower overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River, from which you can enjoy the majestic views of the countryside from land

- Flavel House Museum - once the home of Captain George Flavel, this 1885 Queen Anne home features original Eastlake influenced woodwork, period furnishings, and exotic hardwood

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Astoria Farmers Market – Complimentary Excursion
Bask in the lively spirit of Astoria at the Astoria Sunday Market, a gathering of local artisans, growers, and food vendors. Stroll through rows of handcrafted goods, original artwork, fresh produce, and specialty foods while enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of this beloved community tradition. Browse for unique souvenirs, sample regional flavors, and meet the talented makers behind the products.  

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Pacific Coast Cranberry Experience – Complimentary Excursion
Discover the world of cranberries on this engaging visit to a working cranberry farm. Learn the rich history of this vibrant ruby-red berry and follow its journey from bog preparation and planting to harvest and the marketing of cranberry products. Enjoy time in the museum to browse exhibits at your own pace, then stop by the gift shop for delicious cranberry treats and souvenirs. Conclude with a walk through the picturesque bogs for an up-close look at one of the region’s most iconic agricultural landscapes.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Partial

Take this time to witness a diverse array of landscapes and wildlife while you cruise the Columbia River. On board, partake in engaging activities, listen to fascinating lectures about the history of the river and the landscape around you, or spend the day on the expansive top deck spotting wildlife on the shore. 

After a final breakfast on board, bid farewell to the ship and fellow travelers as you prepare to head homeward.