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The Dalles, OR

Frequently asked questions

The Dalles, OR

The Dalles, formally the City of The Dalles and also called Dalles City, is an inland port and the largest city in Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The Dalles is 75 miles (121 km) east of Portland, within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

The area around The Dalles is known to have been a trading center for Native Americans as long as 10,000 years ago and is thus one of the oldest inhabited places in North America. The site of what is now the city of The Dalles was a major Native American trading center. The general area is one of the continent's most significant archaeological regions. Lewis and Clark camped near Mill Creek on October 25–27, 1805, and recorded the Indian name for the creek as Quenett.

The name of the city comes from the French word dalle, meaning either "sluice", akin to English "dale" and German T[h]al, "valley", or "flagstone", referring to the columnar basalt rocks carved by the river (in voyageur French used to refer to rapids), which was used by the French-Canadian employees of the North West Company to refer to the rapids of the Columbia River between the present-day city and Celilo Falls. Also in the same area were the Petites Dalles Little Dalles, or Short Narrows. In French, "les dalles" means "the slabs". When a river flows over hard flat rocks, it becomes shallow, and rapids are created.

Highways I-84, US 30, and US 197 meet in the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.61 square miles (53.38 km²), of which 20.35 square miles (52.71 km²) is land and 0.26 square miles (0.67 km²) is water.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in The Dalles. The Mid-Columbia Medical Center serves as a cornerstone in providing healthcare services to the community. Residents have access to comprehensive medical care, ensuring the well-being of the population. Cascade Acupuncture Center offers acupuncture services for pain relief, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Empower Yoga and Pure Yoga The Dalles provide yoga classes for physical and mental rejuvenation. The Dalles Athletic Club offers various exercise programs and personal training sessions. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around The Dalles, such as the Memaloose Hills and Eagle Caves Rim Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in The Dalles, OR are Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, Fort Dalles Museum, and Sorosis Park.

Population: 15,932 (2023). ZIP Code: 97058. Area codes: 458, 541. Elevation: 243 ft (74 m). Area: 6.94 sq mi (17.98 km²).

FAQs

Is The Dalles, OR worth visiting?

Much of The Dalles' past lingers in its many 19th-century homes and churches and in its museums. Scenic drives include a section of Historic Highway 30 between Mosier and The Dalles, and scenic I-84 bordering the Columbia from Troutdale to Boardman. The Dalles' dry, sunny weather lends to it being a popular destination for cycling, geocaching, hiking, and mountain biking. These and other recreational activities are available at the nearby Deschutes River State Recreation Area, where white-water rafting and fishing also are popular. The Columbia at The Dalles is a favorite area for sailboarding and fishing.

How did The Dalles, OR get its name?

The name of the city comes from the French word dalle, meaning either "sluice", akin to English "dale" and German T[h]al, "valley", or "flagstone", referring to the columnar basalt rocks carved by the river (in voyageur French used to refer to rapids), which was used by the French-Canadian employees of the North West Company to refer to the rapids of the Columbia River between the present-day city and Celilo Falls. Also in the same area were the Petites Dalles Little Dalles, or Short Narrows. In French, "les dalles" means "the slabs". When a river flows over hard flat rocks, it becomes shallow, and rapids are created.

What is the history of The Dalles, OR?

The area around The Dalles is known to have been a trading center for Native Americans as long as 10,000 years ago and is thus one of the oldest inhabited places in North America. The site of what is now the city of The Dalles was a major Native American trading center. The general area is one of the continent's most significant archaeological regions. Lewis and Clark camped near Mill Creek on October 25–27, 1805, and recorded the Indian name for the creek as Quenett.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of The Dalles

Mid-Columbia Medical Center 

Cascade Acupuncture Center 

Empower Yoga 

Pure Yoga The Dalles

The Dalles Athletic Club 

Memaloose Hills 

Eagle Caves Rim Loop

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum

Fort Dalles Museum

Sorosis Park

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