Bonneville Lock & Dam
Bonneville Lock & Dam
4.5
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Spans the Columbia River and links Oregon and Washington.
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  • SoundStorm
    Munich, Germany106 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bigfoot found & now in Munich Germany
    A visit to the site, like others have said, is worth the effort, especially during the salmon run season. Another unexpected pleasure was to find Bigfoot in the shop store! Not the everyday run of the mill Bigfoot, but a cool Bobble Head Bigfoot. Now my Bigfoot has been seen in Munich Germany. Where has your Bigfoot been seen?
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 October 2023
  • WDCUeberau
    Phoenix, Arizona73 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well 'thought out' - knowledgeable friendly rangers
    Very interesting, well thought-out explanation of hydro power dam and fish ladder facility. Movie and history of area including dam system and environmental concerns well done. The rangers on duty were friendly and enjoyed sharing their knowledge; very personable. Would recommend.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 10 October 2023
  • Lynette51
    Santa Barbara, California1,840 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Check out the fish counter!
    This a very cool dam to visit. Not too sure of what to expect we stopped in. Upon entering we were given information on how it operates and the fish ladders for the fish to go thru. They explained that there is a live person who sits in a room and counts the number and species of fish that go thru the ladders everyday. And it's amazing the number. Very cool
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 May 2024
  • Alice D
    80 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So Much to Offer
    This stop has so much to offer - viewing windows of migrating fish, a visitor area inside the dam, a multi-story visitor center with an observation area on the top floor and access to 2 small islands in the Columbia River. We did not visit the Lock because we arrived before the visitor access opened for the season. The staff and volunteers there were very informative and friendly. The dam itself and spillway are amazing.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 22 May 2024
  • Carlos V
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I loved it and will return with more time to explore.
    I favor informative trips and if the views are good is even better. This location has both. It is clearly made for visitors to be informed and have access to the varios parts of such a large facility. The fish steps, proximity to the fish hatchery, the locks, the power generation plant, the actual dam, and other outdoor oriented activities was great. It also does not require a lot of time to do.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 8 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles650 reviews
Excellent
399
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214
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TheLongLongTrailer
Hartsburg, MO696 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2022 • Solo
It’s a ways I’m off the highway to the visitor center. Be sure to go down to the first floor to see the fish in the fish ladders! The hatchery area is beautifully done with ponds holding enormous trout and sturgeon. Cute gift shop. Army corps of engineers run site.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

April S
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Friends
I loved walking through the fish hatcheries and seeing the big sturgeon. Being able to feed the fish was a cool experience and the kids loved it. The scenery was beautiful too. It was cool watching the fish trying to swim up stream. To see what the fish go through is cool.
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kgilbert78
Columbus, OH2,857 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Couples
This was a very interesting site. There's the dam, the turbine and electrical equipment, and a visitor's center. Inside the visitor's center, you can view the fish-ladders from underwater and see the fish swimming back up the river. It is a good place to go on a rainy day (which this was). Watching the fish swim upstream was fun.
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynette51
Santa Barbara, CA1,840 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
This a very cool dam to visit. Not too sure of what to expect we stopped in. Upon entering we were given information on how it operates and the fish ladders for the fish to go thru. They explained that there is a live person who sits in a room and counts the number and species of fish that go thru the ladders everyday. And it's amazing the number. Very cool
Written 14 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trav_LN_now
Crystal Lake, IL512 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
The dam itself is worth a visit. The engineering that go into a dam and locks is fascinating. Security is tight when you enter, but once you get to the visitors center there are people there to answer any questions you have about the area. They also have a nice little gift shop area with some unique offerings. The dam is huge, and they have the largest fish ladder that I have seen so far. No cost to enter, and there are nice restrooms available. Well worth a stop.
Written 31 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kevin B
Mount Juliet, TN3,939 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2019
This is a very interesting place to visit and you can learn a lot by coming here. The staff are very informative and kind and I'm glad that it's part of the National Park System. The fish ladders were so interesting to see after reading about them for years and it was very fun to visit here on our road trip.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pappy McPoyle
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 • Friends
Very glad we stopped by here on our trip thru WA/OR. I wasn't too excited to visit beforehand, but it is quite an impressive structure! They have an underwater viewing area where you can see several type of fish making their way up the 'fish ladder'. Literally 3-foot salmon just a few feet away from the windows (depending on time of year, I suppose). Plus a fish hatchery that was as visually appealing as any Botanical Garden. Definitely worth a stop if it's on your route. We spent nearly 2 hours at the dam, in total.. but it can certainly be enjoyed in much less time.

All the park workers were extremely friendly and happy to assist and answer any and all questions. Certainly a unique experience.
Written 19 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

minimize940314
Los Angeles, CA3,543 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Solo
Highly informative. This is my first visit to an attraction managed by us army corps of engineers. The exhibition was informative and interactive. I could not see salmons flowing through the stream due to the muddy water condition, but my visit was worth it. Expect to spend about an hour if you are interested in knowing more about history and science.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WDCUeberau
Phoenix, AZ73 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Very interesting, well thought-out explanation of hydro power dam and fish ladder facility. Movie and history of area including dam system and environmental concerns well done. The rangers on duty were friendly and enjoyed sharing their knowledge; very personable. Would recommend.
Written 10 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alice D
80 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Friends
This stop has so much to offer - viewing windows of migrating fish, a visitor area inside the dam, a multi-story visitor center with an observation area on the top floor and access to 2 small islands in the Columbia River. We did not visit the Lock because we arrived before the visitor access opened for the season. The staff and volunteers there were very informative and friendly. The dam itself and spillway are amazing.
Written 22 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Bonneville Lock & Dam - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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