Celilo Falls
Celilo Falls (; Tenino: Wyam, meaning "echo of falling water" or "sound of water upon the rocks," in several native languages) was a tribal fishing area on the Columbia River, just east of the Cascade Mountains, on what is today the border between the U.S.
A waterfall, 7 mi west of Biggs Junction
The Dalles is the nearest base
The Dalles is 9 miles southwest, with 18 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
A day trip from Portland
Portland is about 81 miles west (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
Best months: May, Jun, Sep and Oct
May, June, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 65–80°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Typical highs and lows in Biggs Junction. Green months are the mild ones.
Celilo Falls
Celilo Falls (; Tenino: Wyam, meaning "echo of falling water" or "sound of water upon the rocks," in several native languages) was a tribal fishing area on the Columbia River, just east of the Cascade Mountains, on what is today the border between the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington. The name refers to a series of cascades and waterfalls on the river, as well as to the native settlements and trading villages that existed there in various configurations for 15,000 years. Celilo was the oldest continuously inhabited community on the North American continent until 1957, when the falls and nearby settlements were submerged by the construction of The Dalles Dam. In 2019, there were calls by tribal leaders to restore the falls.
- Type
- Waterfall
- Wikipedia readers
- 37K a year
Where to stay near Celilo Falls
The closest towns with hotels, motels or campgrounds are The Dalles (18) and Biggs Junction (3).
The Dalles
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
15,917 people
9 mi southwest of Celilo Falls
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Celilo Falls | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Dalles | 9 mi southwest | 15 min | 18 8 hotels · 3 motels · 4 inns & B&Bs · 1 lodge or cabins · 2 RV parks | 15,917 | $361K | C− |
| Biggs Junction | 7 mi east | 10 min | 3 3 motels | — | — | — |
| Hood River | 27 mi west | 40 min | 29 16 hotels · 2 motels · 7 inns & B&Bs · 3 lodges & cabins · 1 hostel | 8,361 | $684K | C |
| Rufus | 12 mi east | 20 min | 3 2 motels · 1 RV park | 212 | $183K | — |
| Goldendale | 14 mi northeast | 20 min | 4 1 hotel · 1 motel · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 3,483 | $199K | C |
| Wasco | 14 mi east | 20 min | 4 2 inns & B&Bs · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 455 | $229K | — |
| Moro | 17 mi southeast | 25 min | 3 1 hotel · 1 motel · 1 campground | 392 | $245K | — |
| Maryhill | 9 mi east | 15 min | 1 1 campground | 23 | — | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also near Celilo Falls
Other well-known places within 67 miles.
39 mi🏜 Canyon & gorgeColumbia River Gorge
47 mi🌊 DamBonneville Dam
66 mi🏜 Canyon & gorgeApe Canyon
50 mi🌲 State parkBeacon Rock State Park⛷40 mi⛷ Ski areaMt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort94 runs · 2,775 ft vertical⛷42 mi⛷ Ski areaTimberline Lodge Ski Area62 runs · 4,505 ft vertical⛷46 mi⛷ Ski areaMt. Hood Skibowl62 runs · 1,365 ft verticalPhoto credits
Columbia River Gorge: Hux, Public domain · Bonneville Dam: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain · Ape Canyon: Caroline, CC BY 2.0 · Beacon Rock State Park: U.S. Geological Survey, Public domain
Visiting Celilo Falls
What town is Celilo Falls near?
Biggs Junction, OR, about 7 miles east.
When is the best time to visit Celilo Falls?
May, June, September and October, with highs of 65–80°.
How far is Celilo Falls from Portland?
About 81 miles west of Portland, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Celilo Falls?
Yakima Air Terminal McAllister Field (YKM), about 67 miles away. The nearest big hub is Portland (PDX), about 78 miles.
Where should I stay near Celilo Falls?
The Dalles (9 mi, 18 places to stay), Biggs Junction (7 mi, 3 places to stay) and Hood River (27 mi, 29 places to stay).
Tips from people in Biggs Junction
No tips yet. Ask, or answer, in Biggs Junction’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.