Best time for this hike is end of April and May when the wildflowers are in bloom and cover the…read morehillsides with purple widow's grass, yellow balsam root, blue lupine and lavendar bachelor buttons. It's my favorite time to be in this area! Best place to park is right before the Mosier Creek Bridge as you leave the tiny two block downtown area. As you begin the hike you come to the cemetery of the founding father's of this charming town. Continue for another 10 minutes to the falls and the swimming hole below. The falls are small, not like the 7 popular falls you see along the Old Historic Highway by Multnomah Falls, but still lovely. Continue on and up where views of the Columbia River from this vantage point are breathtaking. The river widens In this area and slight turns as it makes it's way through Mosier and onto Rowena making for a beautiful vista to take in and photo ops. Unlike at Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Preserve, dogs are allowed on these trails.

Pretty fun trail with a variety of sites!…read more There's a small parking area right in town just on the other side of the bridge from where the trail begins. You can make a very short hike of it and just go to the falls. Or you can continue on from there and complete the approximately 3 mile out and back with a small loop at the top...I recommend the latter. There's nice signage at the start explaining some trail details. You'll pass by a cool, tiny cemetery and venture on to the falls. Mosier Falls was a bit more substantial than I'd expected, set in a pretty canyon with an overlook for your viewing pleasure. Should you wish to continue on the trail...and you really should...you'll start up the side of the hill on switchbacks and stairs to the top. Tiny flowers popping up were blanketing the entire hillside, and I'm guessing it'll be quite a show in couple of weeks. After zigging and zagging multiple times you'll reach the top and come to an overview with spectacular views of the gorge. There's a bench there should you need a little rest or just wish to sit and take in the view for a bit. From the viewpoint you'll see the dirt trail continue on. It meanders further down to the end of the line...a short loop that offers even more gorge views. The trail is quite narrow and fairly unshaded most of the way and there are regular signs warning hikers of private property lines. We enjoyed it on a Saturday morning, along with quite a few other hikers. It's a decent workout, a pretty waterfall, and some beautiful gorge views...not too shabby!

Lovely park need more picnic tables. Came with a friend that I was visiting and my daughter and her…read moredog that she had to live with me when she moved to an assisted living facility he so enjoyed being led by all the kids, and it was a very enjoyable afternoon. Thank you for this park.

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.

With Horsethief Butte as the scenic backdrop, this lake is a relaxing spot for fishing & kayaking…read more Equipped with bathrooms & showers, a popular place for camping & RV sleepovers. Not naturally formed, flooded into existence by the Dalles Dam. Without a natural circulation of water, the summer creates toxic algae harmful to humans and fish. Warning signs are posted. A petroglyph trail is a highlight for all; in depth tour guide available by reservation. Boat launch access to the Columbia River.

Lovely piece of the Gorge. We've stopped by the lake portion and checked out the Petroglyphs before…read morewhile passing through, as well as briefly jumping onto a trail at the Butte. This weekend we got around to investing more time in the trails of Butte and it was pretty fun. The trails don't allow for a complete loop around the rock, as there's a block for restoration on the east side. But you can wander most of the way around the water side...up and around the rocks is really where's it at though. There are 3 access points to the top from the trails, and the bouldering up is loads of fun. Once atop you can roam all about and enjoy fabulous views from every angle. While the remainder of the trails at Butte are average, we found it pretty entertaining to climb around the rock portion. There's a decent amount of parking...Discover Pass required...as well at a vault toilet at the trailhead.

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.

TLDR: Mostly great trail except it passes directly by the dump and has terrible signage…read more I had read somewhere that there was a 7.5 mile trail from Riverfront Park to The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. From Downtown The Dalles, I had an easy time finding the trail, and finding my way to Riverfront Park. According to the map, the dam is only an additional 2.5 miles east of the park. But, the unpaved section of trail about a mile past the park had a lot of glass and other debris in it, so I decided to turn around. Heading west of Riverfront Park, I had a hard time figuring out where to pick up the trail. There is little to no signage. I kept riding past the dump, thinking, "This can't be right," and turning around. Turns out that the trail is just past this. So, ride until it smells really, really bad. Ride until it smells like death, and then turn right when the road runs into the Google data center. This is where a small aux trail runs from the wide paved Industry trail to the real Riverfront trail. The section from Google to the Gorge Discovery Center is by far the best section of trail. If I only had an hour or two to do this trail and knew everything I know now, I would park at the Discovery Center, and ride from there. Between Google and the river, there is a mini bike park with tables for snacking and stretching, a water bottle refill station, and a bike repair station. There were a lot of older couples and children walking along the trail, so this is not necessarily a great trail for riding fast, but it is very pretty. The views of the volcanic bluffs and basalt deposits along the river are unique and distinct from the rest of the Gorge. Due to the recent fires, a lot of the trees and shrubs on the east side of the trail are currently missing. Even though that's obviously sad, it's resulted in amazing views of the river from the trail. The very last section of trail climbing up to the Discovery Center is a kind of brutal switchback. Coming back down the other way, I got hit by a strong gust of wind that I swear almost blew me straight into the river. I would be very cautious about riding with small children in this area. From the bike trail, you can see so many things that you can't see from the road. There are lots of little inlets full of moss and birds that you would never notice from the freeway. Overall a very pretty trail except for the ride by the dump.

Located in the Columbia River's edge, the Riverfront Trail in The Dalles offers expansive views of…read morethe Columbia River, the basalt cliffs along the Washington side, and The Dalles Bridge and powerful dam with lots of wildlife to see along the way! The ten mile trail goes from The Discovery Center to The Dalles Dam Visitor center winding along the southern bank of the Columbia River. The path is paved, which is why I like it, and it's about 10 feet wide. Plenty of room for those walking, biking, pushing strollers or walking with pets. There are often eagles soaring above, especially from November through January when migrating eagles stay here to feast on the fish and critters. If you go at dusk, there are 50+ nesting in the trees in front of the dam. During the summer, there are hundreds and hundreds of pelicans. They are fascinating to watch, their fishing skills just incredible. They stay together in their flock and when they are hunting, it's a sea of these big white birds diving in and out of the river. Winds can be fierce in this area, which means the current on the river is equally fierce so be aware! And careful. There are also deer in this area which means ticks so wear socks, long pants and stay in the trail. Make sure to check yourself and your dogs after walking especially if you are your pets wander through the grasses. Located off exit 85 on I-8, it's easy access while driving through this area or staying in The Dalles. It's part of Riverplace Park so there are shaded areas with picnic tables, public restrooms and plenty of parking.

A simple yet beautiful trail that is fully paved and meanders down towards the river providing…read morevast, expansive views of the magnificent Columbia River. If you visit during wildflower season, it's even more beautiful with colorful wildflowers covering the fields. This trail is one of the few ADA accessible, which I really appreciate. While I do not use a wheelchair, I do have a disability and my legs can not handle the dirt and rock trails that are uneven. So having a paved path means that I can enjoy the gorgeous nature in this area. Wildflower season ranges from end of March to June, but every year is different based on the weather. This year (2022) was a very cold and rainy spring which delayed and prolonged the season. In April the hills were covered in yellow balsomroot and then blue lupine. End of May and heading into June, the next wave of flowers brings shades of blue from the delicate cornflowers with California poppies providing vibrant pops of orange Along the way. It's stunning! Wildflower season is my favorite season! Along the path there are many benches for those wanting to just relax and chill; some in the shade, some in the sun. There are also placards providing info on the area, the wildflowers, and the importance of pollination. The Catherine Creek paved trail is south of the parking area, which is a gravel section along Highway 8. Cross the street, the access is just past the porta potty. If you want the Catherine Creek Arch trail, it is on the same side as the parking, just head up the hill on the dirt trail. It's an easy 1.5 mile paved path that does have some declines and inclines as you make your way down, around, and then back up. If you head clockwise, you can see the creek to your left. If you decide to go off the paved path down to the creek, know there is a lot of poison oak and ticks. I stayed on the path, which is clear and well maintained. Note for wheelchair users - the path is wide and paved, but there are some areas where it slopes down and then makes it way back up. Another great thing about Catherine Creek Trail and Catherine Creek Arch Loop is that parking is free, no day pass required. The parking area is on the smaller side and on weekends, especially during wildflower time, it does get crowded. I went midweek and there was plenty of parking and I only came across two people on the path. Great for people of all ages and skills. For expert hikers, do the Catherine Arch first then finish with Catherine Creek.

The trailhead was pretty busy Saturday afternoon, but there's a decent amount of parking along Old…read moreHwy 8 at the head. There are trails on both sides of the Hwy...according to the trail map only two above 8 and one below within Catherine Creek, but another trail leads towards Coyote Wall. We only took one uphill loop this day. The trails are quite narrow and the footing mostly uneven and rocky. The views are stunning throughout, and the flowers are emerging. As the trails wind mostly through the open ridge there is almost no shade...sunblock sunblock! It's an enjoyable spot for a hike for sure, although for me not quite AS pretty as the nearby Labyrinth Trail. We will definitely return to complete the other trails...good times.

One of the most beautiful spring landscapes in the PNW, the open slopes of the Dalles Mountain…read moreRanch section of the Columbia Hills Historic State Park turn yellow from the millions of arrow balsam root flowers that bloom. It is truly an incredible sight and the flowers cover thousands of acres. The balsam root are the first to appear followed by blue lupin. The next wave brings delicate blue bachelor buttons and bright orange California poppies. Since wildflower season is my favorite season, I visit often from March through June to watch the symphony of color that adorns the hills. The Dalles Mountain Ranch, was purchased from rancher Pat Bleakney in 1993. The 3,338 ranch includes Horsethief Lake and the many historic pictographs across SR-14 along the Columbia River. The open slopes of the old ranch attracts hikers in all seasons with a developed trail system with several loop options. The sweeping views of the Columbia River and Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams on a clear day are incredible! This area is so peaceful and serene. There is a dedicated parking area about 3.5 miles up the gravel drive past the old ranch and barn with vault toilets making it very convenient. Day pass is required and there is a kiosk in the parking area. This is the Gorge so it can get very windy! I've been there in the wind and have had days with no wind at all. Just be prepared for either end of the spectrum! No real shade so wear a hat and sunscreen. The trails are dirt and rock so I always brink walking sticks because I need the support. And yes, there are signs warning about rattlesnakes, part of the high dessert ecosystem so pay attention.

There are only 5 previous reviews and mine was one. Guess cuz everybody enjoys the showy wildflower…read morehike - too busy looking at all the incredible photos to post on Yelp. I'll be short. Go to "wildflowersoregon.org" and find out when and where flowers are blooming in the Columbia River Gorge. We started the trail at Dalles Mountain Ranch and hiked 5.5 miles (elevation gain 800 feet) on a figure 8 loop carpeted with Balsamroot and lupine over the hills after hills as far as you can see. Showy wildflower display! The huge pedal Balsamroot are a bit past prime but the lupine are stellar now along with Phlox, Tretelia, Buckwheat and more. Put on a good pair of hiking shoes. Bring a smart phone or digital camera for breath-taking views. Whew! With the clouds yesterday - 5 stars *****

Great park and playground. Beautiful grounds, though lawn around playground needs a little love but…read morelooks like it's coming back. The sprinkles do hit sections of the playground but personally I think it's great because it washes everything down. We stopped here on our travels to let the toddler play and stretch his legs and we had just as much fun on the playground, really fun and creative structures. Definitely will be a future stop again.

Nice park with fabulous views…read more We dropped by Sorosis this weekend, looking for somewhere new to stretch the legs. It's a lovely drive up, and you get amazing views of the gorge from the lot. There's plenty of parking around, and it appeared that the park has a little something for everyone: ball fields, play ground, disc golf, green space, and a walking path around the perimeter. You're not going to get a hike in here, but a spot to stretch it's got. The grounds looked clean and it appeared there were some improvements in the works. Nice, peaceful park. :)