Visiting Hood River is a must on its own!! But you cannot…read morebeat what you're going to get at the waterfront park !! A small cove cut out for the beach , kite surfing or watching, beautiful water views, Mt. hood, beautiful people watching, playgrounds, it's all here and worth the visit! A couple of things to keep in mind, the bathrooms are very clean and accessible spread throughout . They have a lifejacket lender station !!! It was so nice to be able to let the kids just hop in the water and swim freely! (because I sure as heck I'm not gonna pack lifejackets on my trip who does that?!) Within walking distance, there are so many food options. We always visit Solstice (see that review if you're looking for some great pizza in town).

Known as the 'Windsurfing Capital of the World', Hood River is a small city in Oregon, on the banks…read moreof the Columbia River. It is known for its concentration of craft breweries in the downtown area, and the ability to consume alcohol publicly on open sidewalks and parks. My wife, mother-in-law, and I drove intentionally to see the city during our visit to the Gorge, and stopped by the famous Park next to the River. It was drizzling and cold this day, so finding free street parking was easy. We found a place to sit, and admire the brave souls surfing. There is a small beach area, and children life jackets to share. And a nice grassy area with playground equipment.

The largest city park in Hood River encompassing a large city block between May Street and Taylor…read moreAvenue along 13th Street.it is a perfect central location for families to picnic and attend events. There is even a small playground for children. The park is just lovely! The green grass on the sloping hills under beautiful oak and fir trees creates such a lush and peaceful space throughout the year. My favorite time to go to Jackson Park is during the summer when they have concerts on Thursday nights. There is a large wooden Pavillion where the band sets up and there is plenty of room for the large crowds that gather. The park also has movie nights in the summer. The movies are projected onto a large screen and people gather on blankets and chairs with picnics to enjoy a movie under the sky. The park was donated to the City of Hood River in 1939 by a local rancher and wife, Charles & Viaje Jackson. It has been enjoyed by generations ever since. What a gift! There are bathrooms on site and they are generally clean. There is a strip parking lot on the May Street side and parking on Taylor Street.

A small little park outside of Hood River . The view was amazing . Mount Hood towering over the…read moremany orchards and wineries was breathtaking. Well worth a small side trip.

A surprising gem in the middle of nowhere! While on a drive through Hood River, this was an…read moreexcellent stop, not just for a bathroom but also to stretch legs, take some photos, and enjoy the quiet.

It is such a beautiful and scenic drive each and every time going through the Columbia River Gorge!…read moreIt's something I never tire of and there are so many things to go see both on the Oregon and Washington side of the Gorge. One of the most notable places to stop is Multnomah Falls. It's a highly popular place and it is certainly understandable as to why but it is best to go early. You may even need to look into getting a reservation in order to get a parking space as well... because yes... it is actually that popular all year round. There are so many cute little towns through the Gorge as well. Hood River is a favorite of ours and I believe it's a favorite for a lot of people but Cascade Locks is nice as well and the Washington side has cute towns as well. On the Oregon side is Interstate 84 but don't explore this Interstate or route as a quick, brisk route to get east to west (or vice versa) as you cannot go typical Interstate speed through the Gorge. The curvature of the road and through this long stretch simply doesn't allow you to do that so it would be worth looking into alternate routes as possible if quickness is the only thing in mind otherwise you kind of just have to endure the reduced speeds. The Columbia River itself one doesn't have to repeat how beautiful it is but it's understandable if you do. River activities never fail to mesmerize. Like the group of people we once saw sailing down the river with boogie boards ( perhaps there's another name for it I'm not in the know with that) and the almost other worldly appearance of numerous fisherman on boats once fishing season was in full swig in the early morning. It's something one can never get tired of, The Columbia Gorge and I enjoy it each and every time I drive through it. It's breathtaking and truly one of essential drives to partake if visiting Oregon.

This area is an absolute must see if you are in the Portland area. It is really gorgeous. We drove…read moreto the visitor center and from there hiked up toward Multnomah Falls. It is a great way to get your steps in while surrounded by nature at its finest. There a number of waterfalls in this area and if you don't have time to get out and hike, there are some that can be seen from your car while driving by. We spent most of a day driving and hiking to the waterfalls using a map we got from the visitor center. It was raining during our visit, but we still got to see some beautiful scenery. There's a restaurant at Multnomah Falls Lodge in case you are looking for a place for lunch while in the area.

I'm always grateful when I can get an indoor or outdoor swim and Hood River Aquatic Center provides…read moresummer. Typically covered pool, during the summer months they open a few panels to let the sunshine and warm air shine through. Oh, and the wind, too! It is Hood River so fierce winds are to be expected. You can do a Day pass for $5 or buy punch card of 10 swims for a discount, more of a discount if you live in Hood River and are a senior. Even though I'm from Portland, I purchased o e because I know it will get used. I'm in Hood River frequently - my Happy Place- even happier when I get in a swim. There are 4 lap lanes and 2 per lane, splitting rather than circle swimming, always a plus. There is a timer clock on each end making it super easy to know when you've accomplished your time or to see how quickly you are swimming. Lap lanes are usually available all day but always check their website for the most accurate info. A large play area is available for kids and families as well as an individual shallow pool. A few lounge chairs and lots of metal bleachers on the perimeter. You can also walk a few feet to an outdoor patio if you need more sun. I did! Needed to speed up my drying time after my shower. Locker rooms are typical, a few private showers and an open shower pit area. Staff is friendly. They were super helpful and informative when I called to inquire about usage and the same friendliness greeted me when I arrived. Happy to have discovered this pool and will be back! I have a punch card to use up!!!

I am so grateful for all the staff at HRAC. During this time with COVID, their jobs are more…read morestrenuous and they're under more pressure but they all have such positive attitudes. I swim here weekly, almost daily, and they keep the pool and locker rooms immaculate. I feel safe coming here! Thank you staff for taking COVID seriously and keeping everyone safe!

This very small park on the corner of 13th and Oak comes alive in early spring when the numerous…read moreJapanese Cherry Blossoms are in bloom. The white flowers with pale pink centers are so delicate and ethereal; they look like snow. The trees line a tiny babbling stream and are also located throughout the park that spans a block. I look forward visiting every Spring to take in the beauty and snap lots of pics! There is a picnic table so pack a lunch to enjoy in this serene setting. Kickstart Coffee is across the street so you can grab lunch there and eat it at the park. Tsuruta gets it's name from it's sister city, Tsurata in Japan. There is a monument in the park donated by the citizens of Tsurata. It is worth stating again to state expectations - this is a tiny park! Just one block on 13th between State and Oak Streets. It's a welcome spot of green in this neighborhood, a nice place to sit and have lunch, and a must visit in early spring when the Japanese Cherry Trees are awash in delicate blooms. Small parking lot makes it convenient to visit.

HRAC is great. It's extremely clean, the functional training and workout rooms have an excellent…read moreselction of equipment, and the desk staff is super professional and friendly. I really enjoy the tennis drills and get effective instruction from the pros. I only wish that they'd let me add family members to my household membership when they come for a month, then leave, then come back. The weekly membership is costly, but the monthly one was perfect. And I wish the online reservations would let you get on a waitlist so I wouldn't have to call. But everything else is awesome and the owners are super nice and conscientious.

I really enjoy the HRAC and I really appreciate the staff's attempt at accommodating all the…read moredifferent needs of its patrons. I play pickle ball regularly there and I enjoy the experience so much. To the distractors I'd say, you try keeping everyone happy...good luck. HRAC, Keep up the good work!

Deserves zero stars…read more Stayed here during the summer solace June 2025. Bought a camping pass for camp site #49 and put my reservation receipt on the post at 4pm. As instructed by the campsite rules. Went to a wedding in Hood River to come back to a trailer being parked in the spot I had payed for 4 hours earlier. Keep in mind this is the longest sunlit day of the year and it was still very bright when I arrived. When I asked why my spot was taken and given to someone else, the camp host he said: "So I understand this is uncommon and upsetting to you, but in this county there is a law that states that we can cancel a reservation and sell it to someone else if we believe the campers have left the site". "We recommend leaving camping gear behind in order to keep your spot" So I'm supposed to leave my gear to get stolen? Why did I reserve a spot for 40 dollars only for it to be sold out from under me? The host gave me the run around "I've been here for 11 years, it's legal in this county to sell the spot" I then moved to another spot (which had no river view) and asked the host "you going to kick me out of this one also if I shower for too long"? He wasn't amused by my question and offered to give me some fire wood and snacks if I wanted. I refused his "gifts" and told him he can get out of my face and leave me alone for the rest of the night. The best part of the story is that there were plenty of available spots for the people who stole mine. I believe the campers who took my spot were friends or related to the hosts. It was a prime spot on the river. I searched the laws in the county. There is no such law that states a camp host can do what this camp host did. The host is a liar, thief and a clown. Camper beware!

Small park just outside of Hood River on your way to Dee. While I didn't camp there, I enjoyed…read morewalking the trails listening to the sounds of the river and birds chirping. You park your car and within a few feet, you are immersed in nature. For the kids, there is a swing and play area with green grass and sand area. People were swimming and kayaking in the river. Showers (pay) and toilets available during the in season. You can pay for your campsite via kiosk. Campfires allowed as long as it's not during the dry wildfire season. Its not crowded and is truly serene and peaceful for a site so close to everything.