Explore
Explore Hood River
Hood River is a cute, walkable town filled with independent shops and restaurants. Two of our favorites are local breweries: Ferment and Pfriem. You can also cross the highway and head down to the river front for a beautiful walk. Hood River is the birthplace of wind surfing, and many days you can watch these outdoor athletes put on quite a show. There's several places to rent kayaks and paddleboards, which are a more beginner friendly way to get out on the river.
Hood River Fruit Loop
July marks the start of fruit loop season! A unique rural farm experience awaits you in the beautiful Hood River Valley, where you will encounter 30 on-the-farm fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and fields of flowers. The Hood River Valley has a rich agricultural heritage, beginning with the planting of the first fruit trees in 1855, resulting in 14,500 acres of pears, apples, and cherries that cover the valley today. Wander down the 35 miles of scenic country roads on your self-guided tour and create great adventures with family and friends, while exploring the abundance of farm products grown in the valley. In particular, we recommend Kiyokawa Family Orchards, a multigenerational Japanese American family farm in operation since 1911. More information: https://kiyokawafamilyorchards.com/
Falls in the Gorge
Visiting the many famous waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge between Portland and Hood River during the summer is a busy experience and requires a timed reservation permit. The key highlight is Multnomah Falls, one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States, and it is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest.
Hiking around Mt. Hood
There are many wonderful hiking trails on the north and east sides of Mt. Hood. We recommending checking out All Trails to find one that's right for you. If you're looking for a relaxing option, the Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort operates a lift in summer that will take you straight up to an easy section of the Timberline Trail. More details on summer lift operations should be available in June 2025.
Rock Climbing
There are many places to go rock climbing near Hood River. We recommending checking out Mountain Project to find one that's right for you. In particular, we like to climb with our friends at Klinger, which is 23 miles south of Hood River on 35.
Mountain Biking
There are many popular mountain biking trails around Hood River, as well as places to rent bikes and that will shuttle you out. Brendan likes Fat Tire Farm, a mountain bike shop.
White Water Rafting
Guided rafting trips on the White Salmon River, just over on the boarder from Hood River in Washington, offer moderate level rapids on half and full-day trips. Sachi recommends booking through Wet Planet Whitewater.