Walk dirt paths beneath towering Noble firs to pick fresh fruit right off the branch with cold Columbia River breezes blowing through. 7

Visitors toss food pellets to thousands of hungry trout before dropping by the underwater viewing room to see Herman, an 80-year-old, 500-pound sturgeon living along the Columbia River Gorge. 8

Local captains launch jet boats straight out of Cascade Locks to put anglers on monster eight-foot white sturgeon and hard-fighting Chinook salmon along the Columbia. 9

Massive fall runs of Coho and Chinook salmon fight their way up this rocky river bend, drawing bald eagles overhead and anglers to the gravel bars. 7

Before tackling the surrounding basalt trails, swing by this Stevenson site to check out a massive 37-foot wooden fish wheel and traditional dip nets built for hauling salmon from the river. 8

This local outfit in Cascade Locks rents out sturdy paddleboards for the Columbia River and keeps Pacific Crest Trail hikers stocked with stove fuel, freeze-dried meals, and tough wool socks. 8