Stevenson, Washington
Columbia Gorge Riverside Lodge
200 S W Cascade Ave
Stevenson, WA 98648
509-427-5650
The Riverside Lodge is located in Stevenson, Wa in the Columbia River Gorge, and is about an hours drive east of Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA. The Lodge is situated between the river and the main BNSF east-west main line. When checking in, the manager tells you in advance about the trains and noise, and each room comes with earplugs. Well for us that wasnt necessary.
The lodge has a total of 7 rooms situated in 3 different cabins, each having their own bathroom, kitchenette, and balcony overlooking the river except for one. Prices range from $69 per night for 2, to $149 per night for the one that sleeps 7 (Railfan trip anyone). The large cabin (sleeps 7) has its own private outdoor jacuuzi. Each of the other cabins have their own, but the 4 rooms share its use. All jacuzzi's face the river.
Train traffic: BNSF line is the main east-west route from Portland, and sees about 50 trains per day, including 2 amtraks. Stevenson is a CTC siding that BNSF uses alot to meet trains on this single main track line. The main eb-wb UP main can be seen across the river (about 1 mile), and that line sees about the same amount of trains. Oregon access is easy, as just west of Stevenson is the Bridge of the Gods that goes between Cascade Locks (OR), and Hy 14 (WA). $1.00 toll)
Oh, yeah, nice thing about the Lodge...no telephones, no TV's, 12-noon check out time. It has local wireless internet access though so you can tune into the Vancouver/Portland Railroad Radio stream. Plenty of rail detectors in the Gorge, so you wont miss much.
Submitted by Robert Scott