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.

We visit from Florida every summer and call this the "Castle Park". We're always sure to make…read moreplenty of time to go because it's our favorite park/playground to hang out at on a nice day! Everything about it is beautiful.

Great park. My kids love the creek and the play structure and how close it is to joes donuts.read more

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.

Small, serene park. Perfect for a lunch after hiking the nearby Catherine Creek Trail or Arch Loop…read more Especially since they have clean restrooms with soap and water. 5 stars just for that! When it's windy, it is a great spot to watch the windsurfers and kites. There is launch area for small boats. I've seen people fishing, too. And people playing with their dogs, fetching their toys from the water. Lots of picnic tables, the kind where you can slide into from the side, another plus! Peaceful place to read, have a picnic or just chill. Plenty of parking. And just a minute from the downtown area of Bingen and just a few more minutes from the bridge over to Hood River. Lots of times when I'm exploring the trails and sights on the WA side of the Gorge, I stop here afterwards to use the restroom and have a snack or lunch that Ihave packed. Feels like a secret since there is hardly anyone here!

Very nice area and clean park Nice to walk and great for…read morethe kids to play and get wet

I really like this park. I used to live nearby and visited a few times, then I moved farther away…read moreand now I find us here again. This visit was a starting point for our river adventure. I saw a bunch of people fishing for crayfish at the launch site. I will be back for that alone. I do have several crayfish traps.

This is a massive park, and my singular experience is limited to the two boat ramps, since I was…read moreinvited by a friend who wanted to paddleboard down the river, dragging my wife, my son and I behind them on inflatable tubes, so I can only comment on this limited experience. However, based on these two sections alone, this is a fantastic park for any and all water-based activities. For once, the $5 day use fee seems justified, considering all the things that it offers. Additionally, there are miles of hiking and horseback trails, picnic areas, camp sites, and plenty of open green spaces (shaded or otherwise) for parties and other outdoor activities. It's a little far from home for us, but worth the trek!

8.1 miles, 1509 ft elevation gain, 2 hrs 33 minutes…read more The hike all the way to Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain is definitely longer than the stated 8 miles on AllTrails. We did not have enough water and had to turn around a bit early at mile 4 (for a grand total of 8). Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain was visible but I didn't want to risk my poor pup overheating on such a warm day. Not many other folks go past mirror lake or the initial mountain viewpoint so you might find you'll have this to yourself. The trail is very well maintained to mirror lake, and even has a few cute little bridges and stream crossings. After that, it can be quite narrow and bouldery though there are many beautiful wildflowers lining the trail. There were also a few mosquitos just after the lake so come prepared with bug spray. All I can speak for is the mountain viewpoint (since that's as far as we got) but it was worth the trek up there to see Mt. Hood, Mirror Lake, and Government Camp from that point of view.

Great Hike - but Beware! My rental car window was smashed along with a couple other cars…read more Sunglasses stolen. Cost of window and driving back down mountain in cold was worse than the lost glasses. Leave nothing in your vehicle!

We stop here every time we visit Hood River - our kids love to play here. There is plenty of…read moreparking, the location is right in town, and the playground is in great shape. We'll be back!

One of the coolest parks I have seen for children. The large castle structure is the first thing…read morethat catches your attention and draws you in. But there is so much more! Swings, slides, jungle gym, tires, play houses, tunnels - you name it, it's there. Even a decent bathroom. Parking lot is somewhat small but there is also street parking. Part of the City of Hood River public park system, this is a fabulous place for your children to play, run and have fun!

This is a long, meandering river offering you a ton of recreationally minded activities. Much to…read moresee, much you can do and enjoy - worth your time to top in at one of the points you have access to stop in at along the river. The water is typically a perfect temp in the summer and the current is ideal for tubing - especially in the Clackamas area. Safe enough for the family, pretty enough you want to go alone and soak it in....

The Confession: I'm a masochist. Despite being clumsy and lacking any visual depth perception…read more(seriously, it's clinically proven), I can't really use those excuses when it comes to my persistent ability to get injured. If you see me, chances are I have band-aids on. So, I'm pretty sure it's just that I actually LIKE getting hurt. This is a case in point: The Prelude: Since I was about 3 years old, I have enjoyed exploring the depths of the woods, especially near some giant, rushing body of water that drowns out all the mundane commotion in my head. I like being surrounded by towering trees, waist-high ferns, and little, precious wildflowers. I've run into grizzly bears while huckleberry picking, yet never, ever have I been afraid in the woods. Not even at night when I have to go pee. I actually want to get lost and find my way home. This is my idea of fun, especially if I have a cold beer in hand. Problem is, I usually get hurt while I'm out there. In fact, I judge my excursions as such: the more I get hurt, the more fun I had. The Rub: This is where the Clackamas River is GOD to me. Yeah, I love to come here to swim, hike, camp, float down the river, picnic, etc. But I always leave with excessive scrapes, bruises, scratches, and bloodied body parts. Could be I just play hard. But I think it's more than that. It's as though the river gives me so much pleasure, it demands a little sacrifice from me. Not all rivers have this affect on me, mind you. Yesterday, it took a few pieces of skin from my arm when I fell down a hill, clambering to get to the water on a hot day. Last weekend, it took a chunk out of my leg when I foolishly attempted to mount a log in the river. Painful, yes. But these are battle scars of love, people. This is my idea of heaven. No other river has loved me this much and, I must say, vice versa. The 411: If you want to kayak, raft, camp, hike, lay on the rocks, float in an inner tube, or whatever...check out the Clackamas. Drive straight through Estacada and follow Hwy 224. Or take the fork at the Ranger Station and head down Forest Road 46. There are tons of campsites, both official and just off the road. The water is cold, but refreshing on a hot day. Or, you can head south on 46 to it up Bagby Hot Springs. But please be careful out there, kiddos. People do die on this river every year (in fact, a young woman just drowned 2 weeks ago), so treat it with respect and be aware of the dangers. And if you like getting (safely) beat up by nature, like me, take your neosporin and head out. You're going to get your ass kicked and you'll keep coming back for more.