America’s Best Small Mountain Town Is Actually White Salmon, Washington
A correction to Travel + Leisure’s recent decision — from the town that was apparently overlooked.
We have some news.
Travel + Leisure recently named Hood River, Oregon, America’s Best Small Mountain Town for 2026, praising its year-round outdoor recreation, food and drink scene, arts, and proximity to the mountains.
And while we congratulate our friends across the river, we feel obligated to point out a small administrative error.
They forgot to cross the bridge.
Welcome to White Salmon, Washington — America’s Actual Best Small Mountain Town.
We are, after all, on the other side of the Columbia River.
And we have a river.
And mountains.
And waterfalls.
And trails.
And wineries.
And a brewery
And rafting.
And mountain biking.
And spectacular views.
And approximately 47 places where someone will tell you they know a guy who can get you on the river tomorrow.
So we’re not saying Travel + Leisure got it wrong.
We’re just saying they may have stopped a few miles too soon.
Why White Salmon Is the Best Small Mountain Town in America
White Salmon is what happens when you take everything people love about a mountain town and put it in a ridiculously beautiful corner of the Columbia River Gorge.
The town sits above the Columbia River with views of Mount Hood rising dramatically to the south, Mount Adams to our north, and the Gorge stretching in every direction.
The White Salmon River provides world-class whitewater adventures, while nearby trails offer hiking and mountain biking with views that make you stop approximately every six minutes to take another photograph.
And unlike some mountain towns where the biggest question is whether the only restaurant in town is open on Tuesday, White Salmon has developed a surprisingly impressive food, wine, beer, and cocktail scene.
Basically, you can spend the morning getting tossed around by a river and the evening drinking something sophisticated while discussing how you are definitely going to take it easier tomorrow.
You won’t.
Top 6 Things You Absolutely Cannot Miss
1. Raft the White Salmon River
The White Salmon River is the kind of river that makes you question your life choices in the best possible way.
Book a rafting trip, paddle it, swim near it, hike beside it or simply stand there and watch other people make questionable decisions involving helmets and neoprene.
The river is one of the defining outdoor experiences of the area.
And yes, Husum Falls is optional.
Your guide will tell you this.
Your friends will tell you this.
Your inner voice will tell you this.
Choose wisely.
2: Go Windsurfing or Kiteboarding
Here’s another little detail Travel + Leisure may have overlooked:
Some of the best wind sports launch sites in the Columbia River Gorge are on the Washington side.
That’s right.
Windsurfing. Kiteboarding. Big wind. Big water. Big Gorge views.
The Columbia River creates legendary wind conditions throughout the Gorge, attracting windsurfers and kiteboarders from around the world. And White Salmon puts you right in the middle of it.
So while you’re visiting America’s other Best Small Mountain Town, grab a board, head to the river and watch some of the world’s best wind athletes do things on the water that appear to violate several laws of physics.
Or, if you’re like most reasonable people, sit on the shore with a beverage and say:
“That looks really fun.”
And then never actually do it.
Either way, you’ve got a great view.
3. Hike or Bike Coyote Wall
Coyote Wall offers sweeping Columbia River Gorge views and some of the best outdoor recreation on the Washington side of the Gorge.
It’s the perfect place to experience the very specific Pacific Northwest phenomenon of:
“I came for a short hike and somehow took 73 photographs.”
4. Explore Downtown White Salmon
This is where White Salmon quietly destroys the stereotype that small mountain towns are sleepy.
Stroll along Jewett Boulevard and you’ll find restaurants, wine tasting rooms, brewery, bakery, cocktail bars, boutiques, and locally owned businesses.
Grab dinner at Henni’s Kitchen & Bar.
Have a beer and some food at Everybody’s Brewing.
Stop for a cocktail at Gander & Goose.
Or discover one of the many little places that make downtown White Salmon feel less like a tourist attraction and more like a town where people actually live.
Which is kind of the point.
5. Drink Something Local
White Salmon takes its beverages seriously.
Wine? Absolutely.
Beer? Obviously.
Cocktails? Yes.
Coffee? You bet.
You can spend an entire afternoon wandering downtown trying to decide whether your next stop should be a tasting room, brewery, restaurant or cocktail bar.
This is called research.
5. Look Across the River
This is perhaps White Salmon’s most underrated attraction.
Stand on the Washington side of the Gorge.
Look across the Columbia.
There it is.
Hood River.
America’s Best Small Mountain Town.
According to Travel + Leisure.
And honestly?
It looks pretty good from here.
Where to Stay
Stay somewhere charming.
Stay somewhere historic.
Stay somewhere with a view.
Or stay somewhere that allows you to walk downtown because, after a full day of rafting, hiking, wine tasting and eating, your car has officially done enough work.
The best part?
You don’t have to choose between mountain-town adventure and a walkable downtown.
White Salmon gives you both.
The Après-Adventure Scene
In White Salmon, the adventure doesn’t end when you get off the river.
It simply changes footwear.
Flip-flops become sneakers.
Sneakers become sandals.
And eventually someone says:
“Who’s hungry?”
From there, the evening can go in several directions.
Tacos.
Pizza.
Burgers.
Fine dining.
Beer.
Wine.
Cocktails.
Live music.
Another beer.
And possibly a late-night conversation with someone you’ve never met about whether the river is running better this year than last year.
This is how White Salmon nights happen.
The Best Time to Visit
Honestly?
Whenever you can get here.
Summer brings river adventures, warm evenings and long days.
Fall brings changing leaves, crisp mornings and spectacular Gorge scenery.
Winter brings snow sports, cozy restaurants and the rare opportunity to convince yourself that a second dessert is actually a seasonal necessity.
Spring brings wildflowers, rushing rivers and the feeling that everyone in the Gorge has suddenly remembered how beautiful this place is.
White Salmon doesn’t really have an off-season.
It has different kinds of awesome.
How to Get Here
From Portland, head east.
Cross the Columbia River.
Turn left, then right onto Dock Grade Rd.
You’re basically there.
And if you happen to see a sign for Hood River along the way, don’t worry.
You’re not lost.
You’re just passing through.
A Final Note to Travel + Leisure
We genuinely congratulate Hood River on being named America’s Best Small Mountain Town for 2026.
It’s a great town.
We like it.
We visit it.
We shop there.
We eat & drink there.
Some of us even have friends & family there.
But we would like to formally submit White Salmon for consideration in the next round.
Because if America is looking for a small mountain town with:
Big mountains.
Big river adventures.
Big views.
Big personality.
Small-town charm.
Great food.
Local wine.
Craft beer.
Outdoor adventure.
Arts and culture.
And a community that knows each other…
Well.
We’re right here.
On the other side of the bridge.
And if you really want to see what we’re talking about…
Come to White Salmon on October 10 for the Mountain Town Throwdown.
We’re inviting Hood River, Travel + Leisure, and everyone else to come across the bridge and experience White Salmon for themselves.
Come for the mountain-town competition.
Stay for the food, music, drinks and community.
And see why we’re pretty sure America’s Best Small Mountain Town is actually White Salmon.
Mountain Town Throwdown
White Salmon, Washington
October 10, 2026
Come see what Hood River’s neighbors have been up to.
America’s Best Small Mountain Town.
(We have decided this ourselves, but we’re pretty confident.)
