Located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, a cruise on the Columbia and Snake\u00a0rivers takes travelers through scenic areas surrounded by mountains and gorges, including the Cascade Mountain Range<\/strong>, Columbia River Gorge<\/strong> and Hells Canyon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n American Cruise Line’s recently refurbished Queen of the West recently returned to the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines.<\/p><\/div>\n The Columbia River<\/strong> begins in British Columbia, Canada. It flows for 1,243 miles from Canada through the U.S. states of \u00a0Washington and Oregon. Cruises on the Columbia River are between Portland, Oregon\u00a0and Richland, Washington,\u00a0where it forms a confluence with the Snake and Yakima rivers.<\/p>\n The Snake River<\/strong> flows through four U.S. states – Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. It’s \u00a01,078 miles long and is the largest tributary of the Columbia River. The river begins in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. Cruises on the Snake River are between Richland and Clarkston, Washington.<\/p>\n Cruises that begin on the Columbia River\u00a0depart from Portland, and cruises that begin on the Snake River depart from Clarkston. Most itineraries, regardless of the river cruise company, visit the same destinations.<\/p>\n One of the highlights of the trip is cruising through the spectacular 80-mile Columbia River Gorge. But there are many other sites to enjoy, such as views of Mt. Hood<\/strong>, Mt. Adams<\/strong> and Mt. St. Helens<\/strong> while cruising through Volcano Alley<\/strong>.<\/p>\n There are more than 25 waterfalls along the Columbia River. Most are located\u00a0in Oregon. Multnomah Falls<\/strong> plunges 620 feet and is the tallest waterfall on the Columbia River. While it’s not something you’ll see from your river boat, it is visible from the Historic Columbia River Highway<\/strong> and may be a site you’ll visit depending on your tour package.<\/p>\n One of the highlights of cruising the Snake River is visiting Hells Canyon<\/strong>. It’s the deepest canyon in North America – deeper even than the Grand Canyon.<\/p>\n Prominent sites\u00a0on a Columbia & Snake\u00a0Rivers’ cruise include:<\/p>\n This information is intended to give you an overview and a general idea of what different river cruise companies offer. With regard to itineraries \u2013 they change from year to year and sometimes within a year. For instance, more companies\u00a0may expand to this region and begin offering\u00a0river cruises on these two rivers in the Pacific Northwest.<\/span><\/p>\n American Cruise Lines<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>offers cruises on the Columbia and rivers between April and October. There are also a few wine-themed itineraries\u00a0available in April, September and October.<\/p>\n Ships on the Columbia & Snake Rivers: Queen of the\u00a0West<\/strong><\/p>\n Interesting to Note:\u00a0American Cruise Lines is the only company that offers wine-themed cruises. An oboard wine expert teaches a couple of classes on the ship and also\u00a0accompanies guests during winery and vineyard tours.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"American](\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/Queen_of_the_West_ext.jpg\")
About the Columbia & Snake\u00a0Rivers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Cruising the Columbia & Snake\u00a0Rivers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Companies that Cruise on the Columbia & Snake\u00a0Rivers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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