Hood River: Hotels for Your Stay
Accommodation in Hood River
Along the Columbia River, Hood River’s waterfront is a hub for outdoor recreation, used by locals and visitors alike for both active and passive recreation. The paths along the waterfront are just under two miles long and have gaps in places. The paved Hood River Waterfront Trail is 2.8 miles long; it connects The Hook with the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn and passes numerous parks and recreation areas.
Waterfront and Trails
The different areas along the water have different focuses. The Hook offers a sheltered cove for beginner windsurfing lessons. The Event Site provides water access for windsurfing; access for kitesurfing is restricted, and the area is also used for events. Nichols Basin includes a sheltered cove, a beach, and a launch site for small, non-motorized watercraft. This means lessons, water sports, events, and a beach area sit side by side along the same waterfront—the specific uses vary by location.
The trail network also extends beyond the waterfront. The Indian Creek Trail is a multi-use trail with three sections. It runs from Hazel at 2nd Street in the Heights to Hood River Valley High School. The broader Indian Creek Trail System stretches through the lower Hood River Valley from Hazle Avenue on the east side of Hood River to Barrett Park in the rural west. Much of the Indian Creek Trail runs through woods along Indian Creek and offers access to nature.
Art, Culture, and History
For public art, take the Hood River BIG ART Walking Tour: this 4.5-mile art walk through Hood River pairs public art with a map and audio tour. The selection of sculptures may change over time. The Columbia Center for the Arts operates a facility in Hood River with a gallery for visual arts and crafts, a theater or auditorium, and multipurpose rooms for cultural education programs. The facility includes a 1,700-square-foot gallery, a black box theater with 136 fixed seats, and a 700-square-foot multipurpose studio or classroom.
One historical stop is the Hood River County Library. Built in 1913–1914 in the Jacobethan style, it was the first building in Hood River County designed specifically for library use. Georgiana Smith Park surrounds the library in central Hood River and is part of the county park system. Its northern lawns are along Oak Street and offer views of the Columbia River. Accessible terrace areas provide places to sit and eat lunch or hold small music events.
Fruit, Markets, and Tastings
The Hood River Fruit Loop is a 35-mile, self-guided route through the Hood River Valley. It includes 32 farm-stand fruit stops, as well as wineries, breweries, cideries, and flower fields. Participation by individual businesses and seasonal offerings may vary—check before your trip if you plan to visit specific stops.
The Hood River Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from May through November and on the first and third Saturdays from December through April. It features local food, as well as work and products by local artists and craftspeople. The weekly program includes live music, activities for children, and hot food vendors; the program may change seasonally. Check dates and locations before you go. Downtown, Crater Lake Spirits’ Tasting Room offers spirit tastings and mini cocktails. Hours and offerings may change.
More Experiences
Hood River Railbikes follows the Hood River toward Mount Hood, through pine forest, past a small waterfall and a rare switchback, and into orchard and wine-growing areas. The ride includes a stop at The Fruit Company’s factory and historic museum. Another option there is a tractor-pulled tram tour through an orchard, combined with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of how fruit gift baskets are made. Seasonal availability of this tour may change.
On the second Saturday of each month, volunteers at WAAAM start up historic aircraft and automobiles; visitors are invited to these special museum days. Joy’s Art Studio in Hood River offers paint parties with drinks for adults. Booking details may change.
Discover more destinations: Parkdale, Cascade Locks.
For the main travel overview: Hood River.
