located just over 35 miles south of the town of
Hood River which lies along the Columbia River,
while the Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular
canyon, stretching more than 80 miles as the river
meanders through the Cascade Mountains.
It also serves as the boundary between Oregon and the state of
Washington to the north. This region is filled with sparkling
lakes, streams, waterfalls, and forested mountains delivering
some of the most magnificent scenery in the Pacific Northwest
while bringing opportunities for day hikes, striking visuals
from scenic overlooks, and fantastic spots for watersports from
world-class windsurfing to kiteboarding.
For those looking to explore without much effort, a drive on the
Historic Columbia River Highway provides an outstanding look
at much of what the area has to offer. The nation’s first scenic
byway, it was built purely for the scenery, renowned for its
countless waterfalls with 90 of them to discover.
Your first stop should be Crown Point, which is only 25 miles
east of downtown Portland and offers a panoramic view of the
majestic river some 900 feet below.
you’ll reach Latourell Falls,
a breathtaking 249-foot
waterfall that can be accessed
via an easy 5-minute walk on
a paved trail.
Continue on to Multnomah,
another 14 miles east,
and you’ll find the trail
to the famous cascade at
Multnomah Falls Lodge. It’s
made up of three drops, the
upper, main, and lower falls.
They can be viewed from the
base, but a 1.25-mile paved
trek will bring you to the
top with viewpoints along
the way providing various
perspectives. Aim to be here
early in the morning to avoid
the crowds.
Hood River is worth
spending time in,
surrounded by aweinspiring scenery while
offering an ideal base
for a wealth of outdoor
adventure from hiking
to paddleboarding and
kayaking.
It’s big draw is
windsurfing as the
windsurfing capital ofthe U.S.
If you’re here in the
fall, consider a hike
on the 6.1-mile
loop Coyote Walltrail nearby where
the landscape is
a kaleidoscope of
vibrant yellows,
orange, and fiery
red hues.
Wine enthusiasts will find plenty when it comes to touring
and tasting with more than 90 vineyards and 50 wineries in
the Columbia Gorge AVA. Visitors are often surprised by the
many different varietals with everything from Pinot Noir to
Sauvignon Blanc produced here.
Just 10 minutes south of town, Mt. Hood Winery was named the
state’s winery of the year in 2016, with its highly acclaimed wines
using methods that have been passed down for five generations.
The Bickford family has been growing fruit here in the HoodRiver Valley since 1909, though its wine business was birthed
in 2000. The tasting room has indoor and outdoor seating with
fabulous views of the valley.
Brew lovers will find
plenty here, including
opportunities for
touring and tasting.
The History Museum of Hood River County is located in PortMarina Park for those who want to learn more about the area’s
past, and there are plenty of local shops and eateries too.
Iconic Mount Hood offers plenty to do all year round and from
Hood River, it’s less than an hour’s drive away. During the
warmer months, there are miles and miles of hiking trails to
explore, including easy favorites like the Old Salmon RiverTrail and Tamanawas Falls Trail
During the winter, skiing and snowboarding are available at six different areas, including HoodMeadows, the most popular. No matter when you’re here, be sure to check out TimberlineLodge. A National Historic Landmark it’s one of Oregon’s most popular tourist attractions.
An architectural wonder
made of stone and timber
dating back to 1936,
unemployed craftspeople
were hired to build it
entirely by hand as part of
the Federal Works Progress
Administration during the
Great Depression.
Jack Nicholson’s “TheShining,” used aerial shots of
it as part of its opening scene.
Its Cascade Dining Room is a
great place for lunch.
