Brett Stomps
Windermere Real Estate Columbia Gorge
Stevenson is among the most popular of towns in the Columbia Gorge, except, it has remained unchanged for probably longer than any town along the river.
Many people move to Stevenson for scenic views, close proximity to Portland & Vancouver commuting, a tight nit small-town community, and lots of outdoor recreation.
Stevenson is also a great fit for anyone looking for balance in political beliefs, climate, and housing affordability.
Consistent with Stevenson’s slower lifestyle, most of it’s residents are year-round occupiers. Though, with Stevenson and Skamania county’s relaxed zoning regulations around renting and short term renting, there is quite a surplus of vacation homes. However, this isn’t something you really feel living here.
With respect to new construction, there is quite a bit going on as of the last few years. That being said, Stevenson and the surrounding area doesn’t have a lot of usable bare land. This is because most of the terrain in this part of the Columbia Gorge is steep and rocky, which brings on a whole new set of geotechnical survey requirements, which add on costs to new builds.
Lastly, there are some farms in Stevenson, but they’re not grassland or cattle farms. Think bee farms, timber farms, and small personal farms.
Don’t expect to find 5-20 acres for sale in these parts, as the steep terrain prohibit a lot of residential development.
These percentages are is estimated.
The Stevenson Washington real estate market is not as competitive as markets such as White Salmon & Hood River. Though, housing prices can still be surprisingly high.
After low interest rates post COVID-19, Stevenson saw an increase in pricing as people moved out out of the Portland & Vancouver markets. But pricing did not increase dramatically as other gorge communities.
Stevenson has an abundant selection of homes for FHA & VA buyers, which is a difficult thing to find this far west in the Columbia Gorge. Additionally, there are far fewer cash sales in Stevenson than other markets in the Gorge.
All in all, Stevenson is a slower and easy market to navigate as a new buyer.
These percentages are is based on 2025 RMLS data.
Moderately Competitive
Stevenson is considered to be on the west side of the Columbia Gorge, which is known for being wetter. This is due to being on the west side of the cascade mountain range (which runs north and south).
As rain comes from the pacific ocean and heads east, rain gets caught on the west side of the cascade mountain range. This makes Stevenson one of the wettest locations in the Gorge.
Add to the fact that Stevenson is in one of the Columbia Gorge’s tighter and more restricted areas, this means Stevenson can be very windy. Great if you’re into wind sports, but maybe not so much if you like to keep your hair tidy.
With all of this rain, there isn’t much worry about fire, but if temperatures get cold enough, Stevenson can see 2-3ft of snow annually. Sometimes even more (with freezing rain) ever few years.
What makes Stevenson such a fun place to live (or visit) is that the weather here never gets very hot. And if it does, go escape into the green and lush forests. If you want a bit of sun, head 30 minutes east along HWY14 and get on the east side of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. It likely won’t be raining.
Low Fire Risk
Stevenson has some of the steepest terrain around. With basalt rock columns jetting into the skies and water flowing down between the valleys, Stevenson is a stunning but unforgivable landscape.
With waterfalls only a few minutes away from one another and an almost endless number of creeks and hikes to side quest, Stevenson’s landscape may be unforgivable, but it is unique and beautiful.
While the views may not be of Mt. Hood or Mt. Adams, and more be more in the trees, if you get on top of one of Stevenson’s local hilltops, you’ll usually be rewarded with the classic winding view of the Columbia River.
These percentages are is estimated.
Stevenson is your classic PNW vibe. With mostly evergreens, ferns, mushrooms, and lots of bushes, Stevenson is your wet, squishy, green forest home.
These percentages are is estimated.
Stevenson has remained mostly unchanged over the years. It still isn’t the center of attention and those who live there are still community oriented. Thought, involvement in the community is not required.
If you get at all involved with the community, within a few years, you’ll be recognized by a number of people whom you now shared your days with. Though, being a recluse is also acceptable, and at least your grocery clerk will know you.
Overall, Stevenson has it’s small town dramas like every community in the gorge. Thankfully, we all agree on this place as home, and love and respect it.
To learn more about the community in Stevenson, joining our local Facebook pages is the best way to receive consistent local news.
Lewis & Clark came through Stevenson in October 1805 and again in April 1806. During their travel down the Columbia River, the Cascade rapids, just 4 miles west of Stevenson were one of the hardest rapids to get past. It required portaging, often dragging boats and equipment along the shores and over large obstacles. Washington’s state’s first railway was built to navigate around the Cascades in 1851.
As sternwheelers improved the transportation up and down the Columbia River improved, the town of Stevenson assisted with the construction of more and more ferry boats. Most notably, the James P. Flint, an 80ft sternwheeler built in 1851 which would make trips from Stevenson to The Dalles.
In these early days, Stevenson would make a handsome business around supplying cordwood to fuel the sternwheelers that trafficked the Columbia. They would supply wood to White Salmon flats (Bingen), Hood River, Underwood, and The Dalles (Fort Dalles). The selling of cordwood would be a precursor to the soon-to-be lumber industry that would command the Gorge from the 1900s to the 1980s.
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