Hood River
Around Hood River
Photo: Sam Beebe · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Oregon · 23k people
Hood River
“Windsurfing Capital of the World”, “The Gorge”
Where the wind meets the orchard.
Columbia River BlueOrchard GreenGorge Sunset Orange
Welcome to Hood River, where the Gorge winds and mountain views meet a tight-knit community of fruit growers and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're here for the wind, the waterfalls, or the cider, you'll find a place that feels like home.
Clubs for Hood River
No clubs for Hood River yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hood River. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hood River. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum Vintage aircraft and cars in a large hangar
- Bonneville Dam Hydroelectric dam with fish ladders and visitor center
- Hood River Waterfront Park Riverfront park popular for windsurfing and picnics
- Columbia River Gorge Scenic canyon with waterfalls and hiking
- Mount Hood Iconic stratovolcano visible from town, with year-round recreation
- Bridge of the Gods Historic steel bridge at Cascade Locks
- Outdoors Windsurfing and kiteboarding
- Outdoors Hiking waterfall trails
- With kids Pick fruit at local orchards
- With kids Visit Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum
- Evenings Brewery hopping
- Evenings Live music at local venues
- Locals love Fruit stands and orchards
- Locals love Brewery and cider taprooms
Through the year
- Hood River Hops Fest September Craft beer and cider tasting in September
- Hood River Valley Blossom Festival April Celebrates spring fruit blossoms with farm tours and events
- Hood River County Fair July Classic county fair with agriculture, rides, and entertainment
- Harvest Fest October Fall harvest celebration with local produce and crafts
- Hood River Film Festival February Independent and documentary films in February
Hood River has a mild, semi-arid climate with strong winds funneling through the Gorge. Best weather is from June to September, but each season offers something unique. Best: Summer is the prime time, with warm, dry days and reliable wind for water sports.
Talk like a local
- “The Gorge”
- The Columbia River Gorge, used as shorthand for the area
- “The Fruit Loop”
- The scenic drive through orchards and farms
- “The wind”
- A term for the strong summer winds that make the river great for wind sports
- “The Bridge”
- Locals' nickname for the Bridge of the Gods
Getaways
- The Dalles Historic river town and gateway to the Gorge
- Portland City life, food carts, and cultural attractions
- Longview Mount St. Helens views and outdoor recreation
- Yakima Wine country and sunny desert landscape
Local flavour
Rooting for Portland Timbers (MLS), Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Hood River pears (Comice, Bosc, Anjou) The valley is renowned for its pear orchards.
- Apple cider and craft hard cider Local orchards and cideries produce award-winning ciders.
- Craft beer from local breweries Hood River has a dense cluster of breweries, part of the Gorge beer trail.
- Farm-to-table cuisine Emphasis on local produce, meats, and seasonal ingredients.
Where people go
- Orchards and fruit stands U-pick and farm stands along the Hood River Valley.
- Breweries and cideries A dense cluster of craft beverage producers.
- Windsurfing and kiteboarding spots The Columbia River and its sandbars, like the Hatchery and the Event Site.
- Waterfall trails Hikes to Multnomah Falls and other cascades in the Gorge.
Heritage and traditions
Hood River is proud of its stunning Columbia River Gorge setting, its thriving fruit orchards, and its world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding culture, along with a deep-rooted Japanese American heritage.
Say it like a local: “the Fruit Loop” — The scenic drive through orchards.
Festivals
- Obon Festival July Japanese Buddhist festival with dancing and food, hosted by the Hood River Buddhist Church.
- Hood River Lavender Festival July Celebrates the lavender harvest with farm tours and products.
Landmarks with a story
- Hood River Buddhist Church Established by Japanese immigrants, this Jodo Shinshu temple is a testament to the area's Japanese American heritage.
- Hood River County Historical Museum Housed in a former Carnegie library, it preserves local history including Native American and pioneer artifacts.
- Hood River County Courthouse Built in 1909, this Beaux-Arts courthouse anchors the downtown.
Food traditions
- Smoked salmon A tradition from the Columbia River's Native American heritage, often served at local gatherings.
- Huckleberry picking and huckleberry pancakes In late summer, locals head to the hills to pick huckleberries and enjoy them in pancakes.
- Cider donuts A fall favorite at local orchards, made fresh with apple cider.
- Pear butter A spread made from the valley's famous pears, often sold at farm stands.
- U-pick fruit A family tradition of picking apples, pears, and berries directly from orchards.
Music and arts
- Plein air painting The dramatic landscapes of the Gorge and Mount Hood attract artists who paint outdoors.
- Local art galleries Downtown Hood River has a vibrant arts scene with galleries showcasing regional artists.
- Hood River Art Walk A monthly event where galleries and studios open their doors.
A little history
- 1805 Lewis and Clark's expedition passed through the area, documenting the Columbia River.
- 1854 The first permanent white settlers arrived, establishing a farming community.
- 1882 The railroad reached Hood River, opening the valley to commercial fruit growing.
- 1900s Japanese immigrants became key farmers, introducing new fruit varieties and building a thriving community.
- 1942 Japanese American residents were forcibly removed during WWII, a painful chapter in local history.
- Game day Windsurfing and kiteboarding competitions
- Game day Mountain biking on Post Canyon trails
- Outdoors Pick fruit at a U-pick orchard
- Outdoors Drive the Fruit Loop
- With kids Feed the fish at Bonneville Dam
- With kids Play at the Hood River Waterfront Park splash pad
Locals speak with a typical Pacific Northwest accent, often dropping the 'g' in -ing words. They refer to the Columbia River Gorge simply as 'the Gorge' and use outdoor jargon like 'gusty' and 'swell.'
Only here
- The world's largest concentration of windsurfing and kiteboarding on a river.
- The Hood River Valley produces more pears than any other region in Oregon.
- The Hood River County Fruit Loop is a self-guided farm tour unique to this area.
- The Hood River Buddhist Church is one of the few remaining Japanese Buddhist temples in the Pacific Northwest.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for wind: it's windy year-round, especially in the gorge.
- Learn to say 'the Gorge' for the Columbia River Gorge.
- Try the local fruit: pears, apples, and berries are a must.
- Get a windsurfing or kiteboarding lesson if you're adventurous.
- Dress in layers: weather changes quickly.
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Nearby
Every areaThe DallesOregonRiver town with a pioneer heartGoldendaleWashingtonWhere the river meets the wide-open skyPortlandOregonWhere the river meets the mountain, and the coffee never stops.LongviewWashingtonWhere the river meets the forest.YakimaWashingtonWhere the valley grows its bestSalemOregonWhere the valley blooms and the capitol stands tallCentraliaWashingtonWhere the pines meet the pastEllensburgWashingtonCowboy spirit, mountain soul.
Hood River, OR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.