Fall is one of the best times to visit Hood River. The summer crowds have left, the wind has subsided, and there are endless opportunities to check fall-approved activities off your bucket list. If your idea of a good time includes pumpkin patches, fall colors and wine tasting, don’t miss the opportunity to catch the change of season in the Columbia River Gorge.

What To Do in Hood River in The Fall

🍂 Sell Fall Colors And Waterfalls Along the Historic Columbia River Highway

The whole Columbia River Gorge comes alive in the fall. Rainfall brings back lush greenery to the low-lying moss and ferns. Steady streams return to the region’s endless supply of waterfalls. And by mid-October, the change of seasons dots the landscape with intense splashes of reds, oranges and yellows, making it one of the best places to see fall colors in Oregon.

If you’re coming from Portland, the drive through the Columbia River Gorge Scenic area is an event in and of itself. Take the scenic route along the Historic Columbia River Highway that parallels I-84. Meander through the Gorge under a canopy of fall colors and make sure to stop at the numerous state parks and waterfalls. Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s most famous and photographed waterfall, but you can escape the crowds by visiting lesser known falls like Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls or the falls at Starvation Creek. If you’re looking for a longer hike, the 5 mile round trip trail to Punch Bowl Falls in Eagle Creek is well worth the effort.

🚴‍♂️ Cycle Through The Extra Scenic Route

If traveling by two wheels is more your speed, bike the recently-completed Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Once the only road that connected Portland to The Dalles, this paved path is made up of three, disconnected sections that stretches from Bonneville to Mosier. 

Bike the whole 12-miles and enjoy stunning views, colorful scenery and volcanic rock formations. If you’re looking for a shorter ride closer to Hood River, rent bikes from Oregon E-Bikes and bike the “Twin Tunnels Segment” that connects Hood River to Mosier.

🍇 Fall Farm Fun Along The Fruit Loop

The Hood River Fruit Loop is a scenic drive up Highway 35 to Mount Hood and is home to farm stands, wineries, u-picks and more. There are endless great stops along the drive, but we recommend living out your fall fantasies at Packer Orchards, which has a u-pick pumpkin patch and corn maze throughout the fall. 

🍄 Mushroom Mania

If you’ve ever wanted to be a treasure hunter, you’re going to love mushroom foraging! Thanks to an abundance of rainfall and fungus-friendly forests, there are ample opportunities to find edible mushrooms around Hood River, including chanterelles, lobster mushrooms, and matsutakes.

For those who are new to foraging, we recommend picking up a foraging guide, like "All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms," at Waucoma Bookstore, or signing up for a guided foraging trip with local mycology legend Yellow Eleanor. Remember, it’s super important to be confident in your identifying skills before eating anything you find in the woods! 

🧺 Picnic With A View

Stop by Evoke Winery and pick up a few bottles of Outdoor Vino, adventure-ready wine that comes in shatter-proof bottles, and have yourself a good ole fashioned picnic up on the Hood River Mountain Trail. This trail is 15 minutes from town and offers double mountain views of Mt. Hood to the south and Mt. Adams to the north. Alternative picnic spot: Rowena Crest, about 15 minutes east in Mosier.

Where To Stay in Hood River

We can’t recommend our partners, the Hood River Hotel, enough! This historic hotel is situated in downtown Hood River, steps away from shops, restaurants, and wineries. Owned and operated by the same group that owns the Jupiter Hotel and Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, so you know this spot is chic!

We recommend checking in to the Evoke Winery “Just Peachy” Suite. It has a private entrance, full kitchen, living room and cheekily decorated bedroom and bath. (You can see it here in 3D.) Essentially, it has everything you’d love about booking an Airbnb or house, but with hotel turndown service and concierge. Plus, we even throw in some complimentary Evoke Winery goodies with your stay! 

Book your stay.

Where To Eat in Hood River

🍳 Best Breakfast: Broder Ost

The Hood River Hotel’s in-house restaurant, Border Ost, is a unique, intimate spot serving up Scandinavian breakfast with fresh, local ingredients.

🥪 Best Quick Bite: Farm Stand in the Gorge

If you’re looking for a quick bite on your way to your day’s activities, stop by the Farm Stand in the Hood River Heights to pick up a sandwich, salad or snacks. 

🍻 Best Brewery Grub: Pfriem Brewery

It can be damn near impossible to get a table at Pfriem Brewery in the summer — and we can’t blame ‘em! This brewery serves up some of the best beer and locally sourced food in town, from inventive burgers to delicious salads. In the fall, the brewery returns to normal hours. Now's your time to finally snag a table!

🍽 Best Upscale: 3 Rivers Grill

We love this restaurant for many reasons. For one, it’s where our owners, Peter and Kristi, first met. Another perk is that it’s right across the street from our tasting room. We love to go there after hanging out at Evoke!  

Best Places to Drink in Hood River

🍷 Best Winery: Evoke Winery

Okay, we may be a little biased on this one — but Evoke Winery is the best place to go wine tasting in Hood River! We're located on Oak Street in Downtown Hood River and serve up good wine and good times 7 days a week. Choose from our wide selection of award-winning, Oregon-made reds, white and rosés. We truly have something for everyone — even craft beer on draft for "those" people. (😂 We kid, we kid!)

What makes us unique? There are a lot of places to go wine tasting in the Columbia Gorge. We pride ourselves on being a fun and welcoming place — no matter your experience with wine. Whether you don't know a pinot gris from a pine cone or fancy yourself a sauvignon savant, you're welcome here. 

We're currently located at 606 Oak Street, but will be moving to 708 Oak Street, half a block up the street, very soon. Stay tuned! Our new location is spacious, chic and comes with free parking. 

🍻 Best Quick Beer: 64oz Taphouse

Wanna grab a beer? 64oz Taphouse (or, just 64 as the locals call it) is the go-to. They have over 30 options of beers on tap, from heady IPAs to sours, as well as small bites (beer cheese pretzels, artichoke dip, popcorn, etc.)

🍸 Best Cocktails: Camp 1805

If you're feeling in high spirits, head to the Hood River Waterfront and stop by Camp 1805 for a cocktail. They've got inventive drinks (our personal fave is the "David Bowie" — serrano pepper-infused vodka, passionfruit, and lime) and a sizable "small bites" menu, with bomb nachos and a delicious butternut hummus plate. 

Want more recommendations? Stop by our tasting room and ask your server for the insider scoop!