Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center
Welcome to Troutdale! The Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center is located inside Troutdale's historic rail depot building at 475 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy. It provides tourists and residents a place to learn more about Troutdale and the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge region, one of the seven Travel Oregon regions across the state. The visitor center also offers a small collection of branded merchandise for sale.
The first Troutdale Rail Depot was constructed in 1882 by Union Pacific Railroad, and was rebuilt in 1907 after the original building was destroyed by a fire. By 1976, the Depot was derelict and was threatened with demolition. The City of Troutdale purchased the Depot from the Union Pacific Railroad for $1 and the structure was restored and moved onto from its original location on the north side of the railroad tracks to the current spot.
Also occupying the building is the Troutdale Historical Society's Depot Rail Museum. he visitor center is in the original freight loading area of the building, while the museum occupies the original ticket counter and office side of the building.
Troutdale’s new Visitor Center opened in the spring of 2022 in the historic Union Pacific train depot to offer all the information explaining the attributes available in The Gorge, along with necessary resources like recreation passes necessary to complete the trip.
A highlight of the space is the display of the stunning restoration of the Multnomah Falls painting that once hung in the Council Chambers at old City Hall. This grand piece of Troutdale history was commissioned more than 100 years ago by the Multnomah Hotel (now the Embassy Suites Downtown Portland) and hung prominently in one of the banquet rooms. The painting measures 10 feet high by 6 ½ feet wide.
Current operating hours for the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center are:
Monday 9 :00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9 :00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9 :00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday 9 :00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 9 :00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9 :00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 9 :00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
