Serenity on the Lower Columbia

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Warren, Elk Pass Retreat is a sanctuary designed for nature lovers. Only 30 minutes outside of Portland, traveling to Elk Pass Retreat felt like a trip back in time – we watched industrial yards give way to mountain views, and we knew we had stumbled upon something special when we found this home.

This well-appointed bungalow is nestled in picturesque farmland – we could have spent the whole weekend sitting on the deck, sipping the locally made brews (hefeweizens and IPAs made with hops grown next to the home), and watching the sun fade over a canopy of trees. But we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to experience the small-town charm and easy access to the Lower Columbia River, so we went for a quick, five minute-drive to rent kayaks at Scappoose Bay, then indulged in ice cream treats from the local cash-only diner.

This retreat let us detach from the buzz of city life and unplug for a restorative, farmland stay. If you want to live simply, surrounded by unparalleled beauty, this is the place.
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Things We Did

  • Kayak
  • Farm
  • Food & Drink
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    Rent kayaks by the hour from the friendly staff at Next Adventure. They have a special kayak launch at the boat dock, which is the perfect spot to enjoy beautiful views of the mountains and the Columbia River!...
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      Enjoy the rural farmland on Sauvie Island. We visited Columbia U-Pick to collect and sample berries, but there are concerts, u-picking and fall festivities here too!...
      Step back in time and enjoy old-fashioned ice cream cones and shakes at this cash-only diner that's been around for decades!...

      Our Adventure Map

      Where we stayed
      Things we did

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