Romance is a funny thing. It means something slightly different to everyone, subtle, subjective and alchemic. Add two people with their own histories, inside jokes, shared challenges and private language, and you have an infinite number of possible meanings. But one truth remains: when you blend the right chemistry of destination, adventure, indulgence and discovery, magic tends to happen.
Tucked within the ancient pines and evergreens of Washington’s Columbia River Gorge, the Skamania Lodge is the kind of place that makes the rest of the world fall away. It isn’t simply a getaway; it’s a setting where romance becomes expansive, personal and unforgettable. And for my 17th wedding anniversary, it became the perfect stage for a celebration layered with thrill, comfort and wild Northwest beauty.
Our escape began not with a massage or a glass of wine, but with a breath-stealing adventure. A uniquely Pacific Northwest element of Skamania Lodge is its nine–line zip course hosted by Skamania Lodge Adventures. A trained crew of experts, including Anthony and Tucker, guided us through a forest canopy experience that sends guests soaring from platform to platform high above the moss-covered forest floor.
There’s something uniquely bonding about stepping into space together — hearts racing, wind rushing past, laughter echoing across the trees. It shakes loose the everyday: responsibilities, schedules, screens. In their place comes adrenaline, freedom and pure shared joy.
By the time we completed the final line, the daily routine had been spirited away.
After that electric immersion in the treetops, we ascended again, this time to stay the night.
Skamania’s Alpine Treehouses are unlike anything else in the region. Elevated, modern and warmly designed, they sit quietly among the towering evergreens like secret hideaways for grown-ups. Inside, soft light filtered through the windows, illuminating a space that felt equal parts woodland refuge and luxury retreat.
From our perch 40 feet above the ground, the bustle of daily life felt a hundred miles away. The only soundtrack was the whisper of branches, distant bird calls and the type of silence couples dream of finding.
There’s a serenity to sleeping among the trees that feels almost ancient. It reminds you that romance doesn’t always live in candlelit dining rooms or grand gestures; sometimes it lives in the quiet, being present, waking to filtered daylight, sharing a cup of coffee on a private balcony suspended in the woods.
Of course, adventure and serenity are only part of the Skamania experience. The third essential ingredient, especially for a celebration, is the food and drink.
Before dinner, we explored the lodge’s beverage program, which leans deeply into the flavors and identity of the Pacific Northwest. Their signature cocktails are crafted with local ingredients and a sense of place.
The seasonal Huckleberry Lemon Drop is a perfect example: local huckleberry, infused vodka shaken with lemon and huckleberry syrup. Bright, tart, sweet and unmistakably Northwest.
Then came the Gorge Storm, a cocktail named after the dramatic winds that sweep the Columbia Gorge. This smoked drink blends local maple syrup with Dewar’s, B&B and Frangelico, creating a warm, aromatic sip that feels like winter by a fire.
Skamania Lodge’s wine list also celebrates the region, showcasing producers both well-known and emerging. Washington bottles include sparkling from Tirriddis, reds and whites from Walla Walla Vintners, expressive blends from Le Doubble Troubble, and food-friendly pours from Lobo Hills, among others. Oregon is represented as well, with selections from Dobbes Family Estate and Lily of the Valley, giving guests a chance to taste the Gorge from both sides of the river.
Beer and spirits fans will find familiar Northwest staples, too: Black Butte Porter, Westward Whiskey, Clear Creek Brandy — all solid, all proudly regional.
This focus on local artistry, wine, spirits, beer and the ingredients that surround them, adds a distinct Pacific Northwest heartbeat to everything the Lodge serves.
We made our way to River Rock Lounge, where the menu leans into seasonal ingredients, hyper-local sourcing, and the culinary personality of the region.
We ordered the wild-caught Washington cod and the wild Pacific Northwest risotto. Both dishes showed a delicate hand, kissed by just the right balance of rustic and refined. Paired with our cocktails, thoughtfully recommended by our wonderful server Sheena, the meal became a celebration of the terroir of the Gorge: mountain, river, ocean and forest all represented with beautiful restraint.
And then came dessert: a decadent molten lava cake, warm and rich, the kind of dish that demands slow appreciation. And we did just that: soft spoonfuls, sips of cocktails, quiet laughter, and that deep, grounded feeling of being exactly where we were meant to be.
Skamania Lodge is not the kind of romance that tries too hard. There’s no forced sentimentality, no polished artificiality. Instead, it offers a quieter, deeper form of connection. It’s an invitation to return to the simple beauty of two people sharing time, or a family creating memories.
And that, in the end, is the essence of romance.
Bonus day trips
What makes the Columbia River Gorge such an irresistible destination for craft-beverage lovers isn’t just the dramatic basalt cliffs or the cedar-scented breeze; it’s the way the region blends rugged wilderness with a fiercely independent craft culture. Within minutes of Skamania Lodge, travelers can explore some of the Pacific Northwest’s most expressive distilleries, breweries and wineries, each shaped by the landscapes, microclimates and creative spirit that define this corner of the world.
BREWERIES: Gorge-brewed, river-inspired
The breweries surrounding the lodge channel the adventurous energy of the Gorge — fresh, bold and unmistakably local.
Walking Man Brewing (Stevenson, Washington)
A hometown favorite known for expressive, boundary-pushing beers and a welcoming, small-town vibe in a dreamy urban garden setting.
Backwoods Brewing Company (Carson, Washington)
Part cabin-in-the-woods, part local gathering hub. Expect hearty plates and award-winning pizza, rotating taps and a cozy logging-town charm.
Everybody’s Brewing (White Salmon, WA)
They say “it takes a lot of beer to make good wine”, a favorite watering hole for local winemakers you can find great fare and excellent brews. A spot you’re sure to find something for everyone. Two of our favorites, the Escape Artist IPA & Local Logger Lager.
WINERIES: Gorge Terroir at Its Most Expressive
The Washington side of the Columbia Gorge AVA offers astonishing diversity, cool maritime influences on one side, warm high-desert conditions on the other, all within a short and incredibly scenic drive.
AniChe Cellars (Underwood, WA)
Perched on Underwood Mountain with sweeping views of the Columbia Gorge, AniChe Cellars is a charming, family-run winery blending European tradition with Washington terroir.
Try: The Devin, 100% Gruner Veltliner & Goat Boy Red Blend.
Hawkins Cellars (Underwood, WA)
Perfect place for a picnic! Just down the road from AniChe, Hawkins offers another unbelievable setting with a backdrop of Mt. Hood and the Hood River Valley. This highly awarded winery specializes in classic French varietals made with low to no intervention winemaking practices.
Try: Barrel Select Viognier & Underwood Mountain Pinot Noir
Syncline Winery (Lyle, WA)
James & Poppy Mantone are stewards of the land they reside on this. This biodynamic and small-lot winery focuses on Rhone-Style and Sparkling Wines. Grab a glass of bubbles and walk through the lush gardens. Also another idyllic spot for a picnic.
Try: Scintillation Sparkling & Gamay Noir
COR Cellars (Lyle, WA)
Go for the architecture and vibe, stay for the wine. Enjoy a wine flight in the beautifully designed open-air courtyard, thoughtfully sheltered from the Gorge’s elements. Spring visits offer the added bonus of reservable, beautifully appointed hillside tents. Kid- and dog-friendly.
Try: AGO Chardonnay & COR Cabernet Franc
