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 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!

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.

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.

This is a climb! Especially with my two bad knees. I'm glad I took the challenge because the views…read moreof The Columbia River are so gorgeous from above, but it's a one and done for me! Start the climb at the Horse Brew Pub and catch the first of six steep, cement steps. I was there on a sunny day but if you do the stairs in rainy weather, make sure you have appropriate shoes. no flip flops in any weather! The stairs - with hand rails - climb up to the neighborhoods with houses on the bluff overlooking the river. Lucky people! You wind up then gradually loop your way back down. There are some little, and I mean little, neighborhood parks and some have a bench to rest on while enjoying the view and stillness. I definitely had a rest. Once back in Hood River there are countless things to do! So many breweries that also serve hard cider, shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, wine tasting, ice cream - all walking distance and concentrated on three main streets, Oak and Cascade the most popular.

What a blast we had going up and down these stairs!! Other folks were friendly. Quite the workout…read moreand the view is wonderful! Can't miss this when you come into town. Makes the shopping or a coffee break all the more worth it

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.

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!

A cute small park on the edge of the gorge of the Columbia River valley. There is ample parking…read more The edge is a short 50 yard walk with a view of the gorge . It a beautiful view well worth it.

Teeny, tiny park with expansive views of the magnificent Columbia River and the basalt cliffs of…read morethe Gorge. It's worth a stop just for the view, in every season. The reason I love this specific view so much is that it incorporates the rugged cliffs of the Gorge to the left, a magnificent vineyard below, and the beautiful Columbia River with the basalt cliffs of WA to the right. In the spring, everything is so green and lush! In the fall, the trees and bushes peppered amongst the cliffs are vibrant orange and gold. In the winter, on a snowy day, wow! Even in the dead of winter and early spring, it's still beautiful the neon lime green moss contrasting against the gray rocks and blue sky. The area is fenced in because the park is perched on the cliff. There is one part where the fence jets out a bit and this is perfect for the money shot. The grassy ground is uneven, lots of big rocks, so if you are unstable, like me, bring a walking stick or cane. There are a couple of picnic tables in the shade if you want to enjoy a meal, just take all the trash with you when you leave. The parking lot is very small but I've never had a problem finding a spot. Sunset is my favorite time to visit.

Not a huge bark, but a decent size park to sit down on the bench during the spring or the summer…read moreand enjoy the nice breeze, green grass and beautiful, smelling flowers from the trees in the garden, but there's also a nice little gazebo type area where you can also enjoy some peaceful relaxation row, reading a book or listening to music. So come on in town and quaint park. It's been here for years and I remember since the 1990s when I come here to go to Betty's diner.