Bonneville Dam
Bonneville Lock and Dam consists of several run-of-the-river dam structures that together complete a span of the Columbia River between the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington at River Mile 146.1. It stands 2 mi east of North Bonneville. Its story as a place to visit starts in 1934.
A dam, 2 mi east of North Bonneville
Cascade Locks is the nearest base
Cascade Locks is 4 miles northeast, with 5 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct
May, June, July, August, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 64–82°. When to go ↓
Established in 1934
Bonneville Dam dates from 1934. About ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
A month-by-month look
Use the months below to time a visit to Bonneville Dam.
Bonneville Dam
Bonneville Lock and Dam consists of several run-of-the-river dam structures that together complete a span of the Columbia River between the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington at River Mile 146.1. The dam is located 40 miles (64 km) east of Portland, Oregon, in the Columbia River Gorge. The primary functions of Bonneville Lock and Dam are electrical power generation and river navigation. The dam was built and is managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. At the time of its construction in the 1930s it was the largest water impoundment project of its type in the nation, able to withstand flooding on an unprecedented scale. Electrical power generated at Bonneville is distributed by the Bonneville Power Administration.
- Type
- Dam
- Established
- 1934
- Listed
- National Register of Historic Places contributing property (1986) · Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
- Wikipedia readers
- 32K a year
Where to stay near Bonneville Dam
The closest towns with hotels, motels or campgrounds are Stevenson (8) and Carson (8), and Portland has the most rooms in the area (257).
Stevenson
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
1,596 people
4 mi northeast of Bonneville Dam
Portland
The most places to stay in the area, and a base for a longer trip.
635,109 people
35 mi west of Bonneville Dam
Compare 9 towns
| Town | From Bonneville Dam | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stevenson | 4 mi northeast | 5 min | 8 5 hotels · 3 lodges & cabins | 1,596 | $497K | — |
| Carson | 8 mi northeast | 15 min | 8 2 hotels · 3 lodges & cabins · 3 campgrounds | 2,318 | $490K | — |
| Cascade Locks | 4 mi northeast | 5 min | 5 1 hotel · 2 motels · 2 campgrounds | 1,367 | $385K | — |
| Hood River | 21 mi east | 30 min | 28 15 hotels · 2 motels · 7 inns & B&Bs · 3 lodges & cabins · 1 hostel | 8,315 | $684K | C |
| North Bonneville | 2 mi west | 5 min | 3 1 hotel · 2 campgrounds | 1,415 | $446K | — |
| Government Camp 81% vacation homes | 25 mi south | 40 min | 31 11 hotels · 16 lodges & cabins · 4 campgrounds | 147 | — | — |
| Mount Hood Villages 27% vacation homes | 22 mi south | 35 min | 20 7 hotels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 7 lodges & cabins · 3 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 4,703 | $456K | — |
| Gresham | 26 mi west | 40 min | 21 15 hotels · 2 motels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 111,513 | $459K | C− |
| Portland | 35 mi west | 55 min | 257 182 hotels · 31 motels · 19 inns & B&Bs · 11 lodges & cabins · 3 hostels · 5 campgrounds · 6 RV parks | 635,109 | $582K | D− |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also near Bonneville Dam
Pair a visit with these, within 45 miles.
Big draw40 mi MountainMount St. Helens
Big draw122 mi MountainMount Hood
210 mi WaterfallMultnomah Falls
38 mi Canyon & gorgeColumbia River Gorge
36 mi Stadium & arenaModa Center
37 mi Stadium & arenaProvidence Park
44 mi MountainMount Adams
44 mi LakeSpirit LakePhoto credits
Mount St. Helens: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain · Mount Hood: Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory., Public domain · Multnomah Falls: John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA, CC BY 2.0 · Columbia River Gorge: Hux, Public domain · Moda Center: Lugnuts, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Providence Park: Pdx.rollingthunder, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mount Adams: USGS Photo by R. Iverson, USGS/CVO, Public domain · Spirit Lake: Matt Logan, Public domain
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Good to know about Bonneville Dam
What town is Bonneville Dam near?
North Bonneville, WA, about 2 miles west.
When is the best time to visit Bonneville Dam?
May, June, July, August, September and October, with highs of 64–82°.
What is the closest airport to Bonneville Dam?
Portland (PDX), about 32 miles away.
Where should I stay near Bonneville Dam?
Stevenson (4 mi, 8 places to stay), Portland (35 mi, 257 places to stay) and Carson (8 mi, 8 places to stay).
Notes from people in North Bonneville
Questions and tips go in North Bonneville’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.