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This River Gorge in Oregon Has the Highest Concentration of Waterfalls in the U.S.—and It Just Got a Brand-new Glamping Resort
On May 29, glamping company Under Canvas opened a new Columbia River Gorge location on a sprawling 120-acre property in White Salmon, Washington. It's the luxury outdoor brand's first location in the Pacific Northwest and the first not explicitly tied to a national park.
"We're thrilled to open Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge as our first location in the Pacific Northwest, reflecting our commitment to connecting our guests with some of the most remarkable natural settings in the country," Matt Gaghen, chief executive officer of Under Canvas, said in a statement to Travel + Leisure . "The vast landscape offers flowing waterfalls, lush forests, river-carved canyons with both Mount Hood and Mount Adams towering in the distance, and is uniquely coupled with renowned wine and cultural experiences."
As far as glamping goes, it's hard to think of a more well-known name than Under Canvas. The company now has 12 locations across the United States, most located within minutes of national parks, giving guests a luxury experience in places they would usually have to be roughing it. Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge will have all the luxe amenities that travelers have come to expect from the brand, such as its signature safari-inspired canvas tents with private decks, plush bedding, West Elm furnishings, and (perhaps best of all) en suite bathrooms, including showers with hot water. Further, Under Canvas' popular Stargazer tents are available here and are perfect for viewing the twinkling stars as you fall asleep.
The Columbia River Gorge outpost may not be near a national park, but it is located within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which straddles the border of Oregon and Washington and spans 293,000 gorgeous acres. The closest town is White Salmon, which has a cute-as-a-button downtown strip, but the nearest major city is in Portland. Portland International Airport (PDX) is about 77 miles, or an hour-and-a-half-hour drive, from the glamping site. You'll need to rent a car to get to the campsite and to get around the area.
Despite not being an official national park, there's no shortage of things to do in the Columbia River Gorge. In addition to offering stunning river canyon views, the gorge is home to the highest concentration of waterfalls in the U.S. with ample opportunities to hike, bike, or even canoe or kayak. However, if you can't quite decide what to do yourself, there's an on-site 'experiences' team that can recommend and arrange excursions such as guided, scenic hikes, private cooking classes on nearby farms, or even guided llama treks. Plus, there are 10 wineries located within a 10-mile radius of Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge.
In the main lobby tent, guests will find an eatery offering breakfast and dinner. The idea is that you'll likely be out exploring the great outdoors around lunch, so instead of a midday meal service, there are grab-and-go options that you can take with you. The meals at Under Canvas locations usually emphasize local, seasonal ingredients, and its Columbia River Gorge location is no exception. Expect seafood sourced from nearby Portland and Seattle, as well as local wines and beers.
As is the case with all Under Canvas sites, guests will be able to enjoy a robust activities calendar, with events like yoga sessions, live music, and kid-friendly programming on offer. And, of course, the brand's signature nightly s'mores will be on offer as well.
"We hope guests leave with a deeper wonder and appreciation for the outdoors, and a better understanding of what makes this region so special," Gaghen said.
All Under Canvas locations are seasonal. Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge will be open until Oct. 27. Nightly rates start at $229.
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