Things to do in Hood River, Oregon (OR): The Best Nature & Parks

June 16, 2021 Janean Rudisill

Hood River beckons travelers with the scent of orchard blooms and the promise of adventure on the rushing waters of the Columbia River. The winds through the Columbia River Gorge provide the perfect conditions for windsurfing and kite surfing, making the city a hotspot for those sports in recent years. The surrounding area is ripe with orchards growing cherries, apples, peaches and other sweets. Take the Mt. Hood Scenic Railroad through the orchard route and take in the views of Mt. Hood.
Restaurants in Hood River

1. Mount Hood

Mount Hood area Highway 26 & Highway 35., Hood River, OR 97031 +1 800-872-4661 http://www.mthoodadventure.com
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 634 reviews

Mount Hood

The tallest mountain in Oregon.

Reviewed By MarilynM1457

My birth place and such a beautiful drive any time of the year with lots of scenery, places to stop and taste the wonderful fruit and goodies along the way. Fruit Loop is a joy to go on. All the way from Hood River to Odell, to Parkdale, Dee and back to Hood River and seeing the majestic beauty of The Hood just about wherever you drive. Takes my breath away every time I see it.

2. White Salmon River

Hood River, OR +1 509-493-2641 http://zooraft.com
Excellent
94%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 69 reviews

White Salmon River

A popular river in Hood River, Oregon.

Reviewed By DanW440 - Portland, United States

A group of us took a half-day trip downriver in kayaks and for me it was one of the better white water adventures I've experienced. It was one of the first where I was sincerely glad to have a helmet. The water runs high and cold due to it being glacier melt and the rapids are definitely challenging. Once or twice the river came so very close to the overhanging rocks - hence the appreciation of a helmet. A thoroughly enjoyable activity that I highly recommend.

3. Columbia River Gorge

Hood River, OR 97031 +1 541-386-2333 [email protected] http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,199 reviews

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge, a 75-mile canyon through the Cascades, is a broad, picturesque river with water-controlling dams.

Reviewed By traveladdict3500 - Hasselt, Belgium

We saw the Columbia River Gorge from Bonneville Dam to Troutdale. We loved all of our stops : The Bonneville Dam, the Fish Hatchery, Multnomah Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Latourell Falls and Vista House. The other falls were unreachable in June 2018 because the road and the complete area around those falls was closed due to a forest fire in 2017.

4. Children's Park

1601 May St, Hood River, OR 97031-1350
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Children's Park

5. Oregon Motorcycle Rental

Excellent
93%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Oregon Motorcycle Rental

At Oregon Motorcycle Rental we offer off-road single-track trail riding tours, training, and off-road motorcycle rentals. We rent the newest 4-stroke and 2-Stroke KTM and Husqvarna bikes: 150's, 250, 300, 350, and 450cc's. Open 7 days a week from our Hood River location April 1st through the end of October. (We're in Wickenburg, Arizona from November 1st until the end of March at our 'Arizona Dirt Bike Rentals' business for winter riding.) Be guided through some of the best moto enduro trails in Oregon and Washington, from the forest and mountains in the Hood River area to the coastal mountains, just a short drive from Portland. Our rental packages include all riding gear, gas, lunch, and an experienced trail guide to get you to the best trails for the conditions, your riding level, and desired terrain. The bikes are tuned, prepped, and transported to and from the trails. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Se Habla Español. Come ride with us!

6. Punchbowl Falls

Hood River, OR
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Punchbowl Falls

7. Cooper Spur Hike

Cloud Cap Road, Hood River, OR 97041
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Cooper Spur Hike

8. Mirror Lake Trail

Hood River, OR http://alltrails.com/us/oregon/odell/lake
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 138 reviews

Mirror Lake Trail

Located on the Mount Hood's north side.

Reviewed By WaitForIttttt - Hazlet, United States

My husband and I hiked the Mirror Lake Trail on a trip exploring the west coast. We had hoped to continue on to Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain but the visibility was poor so we decided to only hike the lake. There were other hikers but it wasn't overly crowded. We were mostly alone on the trail and were able to find a quiet spot to sit by the lake and take it in for a while. This trail is relatively easy and provides lots of beautiful forest views of all of the greens the Pacific Northwest has to offer. We enjoyed hiking through the grasses along the wooden planks. We would have loved to have seen Mt. Hood but it was lost in the clouds/fog that day, though the lake was crystal clear and it was nice to see the trees reflected in it. We were able to see the bottom where crawfish were moving around. Our only complaint about the hike was that the restroom at the trailhead was absolutely disgusting. The restroom at Government Camp a few miles up US 26 had plumbing and was perfectly fine. We'll definitely be returning in hopes of seeing Mt. Hood next time we're in the area.

9. Tucker Park

2440 Mt Hood Highway, Hood River, OR 97031 +1 541-387-6889 http://www.orparks.org/a_oregonparks/hoodriver.htm
Excellent
63%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Tucker Park

10. Tom McCall Nature Preserve

Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, OR 97031 +1 503-228-9561
Excellent
77%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 56 reviews

Tom McCall Nature Preserve

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