Things to do in Hood River

Your 8.5-hour trip begins early with a hotel pickup from downtown Portland. Embark on an exhilarating morning drive through the Columbia River Gorge. Catch spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains that flank the river and glimpse a waterfall or two. Along the forested highway, visit Oregon’s famous waterfall Multnomah Falls. Join your guide and fellow visitors on Benson Bridge and snap a picture of the 611-foot-tall cascade of water as it crashes below. Next, continue to Hood River, a picturesque valley town renowned as a prime destination for wind sports. Watch kiteboarders and windsurfers skate across the water as you learn about Hood River’s rich environmental and cultural history. Then take some free time for lunch, shopping or wine-tasting (if whimsy strikes you!). Then visit Rowena Crest which has spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge. The final stop on your guided tour is the glorious Mount Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak at 11,249 feet (3,429 meters) and Timberline Lodge. Take a mountain walk or a self-guided visit through the renovated lodge that was once the setting for the classic film The Shining. Your day concludes back in Portland by early evening.

We will depart downtown Portland and head east along the Columbia River to Troutdale, known as the Gateway to the Gorge! We will join the beautiful Historic Columbia River Highway, the first planned scenic roadway in the United States, and wind our way to our first stop for the day: Crown Point Vista House. This famous overlook sits 733 feet above the Columbia River, atop the remains of a lava flow that swept through the Gorge around 14 to 17 million years ago! Here, we will find amazing 180-degree views of the Columbia River Gorge and explore the Vista House. An intricately designed observatory and museum, the Vista House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From there, we will drive deeper into the Columbia River National Scenic Area. Our first waterfall for the day will be the dramatic Latourell Falls which plunges 249 feet over a massive wall of columnar basalt. Depending on the season, a short ¼-mile paved trail hike will be led to get a closer view of the falls. The next waterfall we will visit will be the grand Multnomah Falls. Plummeting 620 feet in two major steps, Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in Oregon and second highest continuously flowing waterfall in the nation! Here, we will explore the Multnomah Falls Historic Lodge (a Cascadian style stone and timber lodge built in 1925) as well as the beautiful Multnomah Falls itself. During the gorge fire of 2017, the wildland fire crew fought tirelessly and ultimately saved this historic landmark. The easily accessible viewing platform offers a full view of the Benson Bridge and cascading falls beyond it. Onward to Hood River, also known as the Windsurfing Capital of the World, we will pause for an hour with a chance to explore the town and eat lunch. Following lunch, we will set out heading south, through the picturesque Fruit Loop orchards and lavender farms. If time permits, we may even make a brief stop at one of the farm stands! Continuing, we will wind our way, climbing to roughly 6,000 feet in elevation, to Timberline Lodge. This National Historic Landmark sits proudly against Oregon’s highest peak- Mt. Hood! Attracting over 10,000 climbers each year, Mt. Hood is a mammoth to behold. We’ll go on a walking tour inside the lodge and enjoy the surrounding Cascade Mountain Range views from the lodge’s outdoor patios. If time allows, a short hike to the Pacific Crest Trail crossing just behind the lodge will be led by your guide. After the full day of adventures, you will return to Portland (approximately 1.5-hour drive).

Prepare for an adventure of epic proportions as our passionate guides take you on a journey to the most stunning sights in the Gorge and Hood River Valley. Brace yourself for a spellbinding history lesson on this magical land while we whisk you away to one of the most tantalizing wineries that showcase the mesmerizing Columbia River AVA. Multnomah Falls, a breathtaking 620-foot ancient waterfall, is a true natural wonder. Underground streams originating miles above on Larch Mountain feed this beauty, which is split into two sections. The upper falls crashes down a staggering 542 feet into a serene pool, followed by another 69-foot drop, forming a creek that flows into the Columbia River. And, if that wasn't enough, the Historic Multnomah Falls Lodge sits right at the waterfall's base, making it the perfect place to relax and refuel. Next we will visit Bonneville Fish Hatchery. Take a stroll to the display ponds, where you can feed the rainbow trout while gazing at the majestic adult white sturgeon that are over 10 feet long! Just beyond the outdoor sturgeon pond lies a small white building, home to the Sturgeon Viewing Center, which was built back in 1998. Inside you’ll meet Herman, the granddaddy sturgeon who’s over 80 years old, 10 feet long, and weighs a whopping 500 pounds! Post-lunch, we'll hit up one top-notch winery, but first, explore downtown Hood River solo for your 1 hour lunch. If you're a wine lover, you'll be over the moon to know that the Columbia Gorge Wine Region is your Shangri-La! With over 65 wineries snuggled along a 40-mile stretch of the Columbia River, you're in for a treat. We've cherry-picked two fantastic wineries in the Hood River Valley region of Oregon. Brace yourself to indulge in a delightful wine-tasting experience from a list of impressive wineries such as Phelps Creek Vineyards, Cathedral Ridge Winery, Marchesi Vineyards & Winery, Viento, Mt. Hood Winery, Stave & Stone, Cascade Cliffs Tasting Room, The Pines, Garnier, Hood Crest, and Wy’East vineyards. After wine tasting you'll enjoy a stop at a farm stand (spring and summer only) where you will be able to pick up an afternoon snack. Finally we will drive over halfway up the side of Mt. Hood to Timberline Lodge. At 11,249 feet, Mt. Hood stands tall, flaunting its icy crown and boasting world-renowned ski areas. Timberline, in particular, is a snow magnet and the proud owner of the longest ski season in North America. Timberline Lodge has been wowing visitors for over 80 years. The lodge’s interior showcases bold Art Deco designs that scream 1930s America. Think stone arches, wrought iron accents, and roaring fireplaces, all made with rough-cut stone. Snap some pics of the mountain, wander through the lodge, and savor a cup of the Snow-Capped Dream, the most decadent hot chocolate you’ll ever taste! After exploring for the day, we'll whisk you off to your downtown Portland hotel.

The 12 miles of the half day trip on the Deschutes Rivers contains numerous exciting class II-III + rapids. Soon after launching onto the river, you’re sure to get wet paddling through Wapinitia & Boxcar rapids (Class III). You’ll float a mild section of the river before running several fast and fun back-to-back rapids, including Surf City, Oak Springs, White River Rapid, and The Elevators. The half day Deschutes River trip will last just under 3 hours on the water with a 15 minute shuttle to and from the river back to our office.

This is a 2-hour kayak tour where we will explore a wind-protected tributary to the Columbia River. The water is so clear that you can see the pebbles on the bottom of the river, not to mention wildlife! There are many species of fish, eagles, osprey, herons, ducks, and occasional otters that call this inlet home. Our professional guides will tell you the story of the local nature and ways of the river. The tour starts and finishes at a boat launch about 20-25 minutes drive from Hood River, OR. You will meet your guides and get outfitted with all necessary paddling gear. After a paddle talk with basic instruction and water safety introduction, we will launch our boats and paddle upstream. Along the way, we stop to enjoy a small beach where you can swim, take photos, and do a little exploring. We finish the tour with a paddle back out to the Columbia River to enjoy a view of the mountains of the Gorge. We strive to connect our guests with this special place through the history of human use of this waterway as well as the wildlife that calls it home. This is an unforgettable experience in an indescribably beautiful setting.

Visiting the enchanting waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Byway, which are highlighted by magnificent views from towering lava cliffs, lush temperate rainforest, hundreds of different species of vibrant wildflowers, and the magnificent spectacle of Multnomah Falls, the second-tallest year-round waterfall in the U.S. We enjoy the spectacular majesty of Oregon's tallest mountain after a delightful lunch in Hood River and a journey through miles of lovely orchards and vineyards! It has a rich volcanic history, 5 separate ski areas, including year-round skiing on the Palmer glacier, and is the second most climbed peak in the world. While hiking on, go to the famous Timberline Lodge, sip a cool beverage, and discover its fascinating heritage.

Discover the beauty of Hood River, Oregon, with an all-day e-bike rental. Whether you want to explore the charming town, pedal through scenic orchards, or venture to the famous Mosier tunnels, the electric-powered bicycles are your ticket to an unforgettable adventure. Pickup your bike at the train station in downtown Hood River and put on your helmet required for your safety. Enjoy an effortless ride while still getting the exercise you desire thanks to a pedal-assist motor and the intuitive power settings allowing you to easily adjust the assistance level. Change gears seamlessly with a simple flick of your fingers, adapting to the terrain as you go. Navigate the roads and pathways of Hood River, soaking in the stunning sights along the way. At the end of your exhilarating day, conveniently return the e-bike to the train station and continue exploring the vibrant downtown or easily make your way back to your accommodation.

Experience a unique ride on a tram pulled by a tractor through a nearby orchard. You will have an opportunity to hear the history and stories of the nostalgic days of farming when Hood River emerged as an agricultural hub, and see how methods of farming have changed over time. Discover many varieties of fruits grown in the valley, and learn about some of the special equipment used to grow and harvest them. Depending on seasonality, you may even get to taste the bounty and take a picturesque photo to commemorate your trip.

Travel east of Portland through the verdant landscape of Willamette Valley, known for its hazelnuts, berries, Christmas trees, and Pinot Noir. Stop at a donut shop in the town of Sandy for coffee and morning treats before beginning your ascent of Mount Hood, the highest summit in Oregon. Spend the next hour at the historic Timberline Lodge and enjoy 1 hour of free time. From Timberline Lodge, head to Hood River Valley. Here, feed baby pygmy goats, get a photo of Mount Hood, purchase local fruit and preserves, taste cider, or buy a huckleberry milkshake. Afterwards, visit downtown Hood River and break for lunch. After lunch, learn about the geological history that shaped the Columbia River Gorge as you drive eastward past windsurfers in the Gorge, before stopping at a viewpoint to admire panoramic views of the Cascades. Next, travel westward through the Columbia Gorge and stop at Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon, where you can walk up to the Benson Bridge, visit the interpretive center, buy a snack, or peruse the gift shop before heading back to Portland.