The Best of the Hood River Fruit Loop in Spring

Join me on a scenic spring drive along the Hood River Fruit Loop from Hood River to Parkdale and beyond!
Looking for more places to explore in this beautiful region?
Check out “Eating up the Columbia River Gorge” for delicious food and drink,
or visit my Columbia River Gorge Hiking Guide to find the perfect day hike.

GOOD TO KNOW

• The locations included here are great places to visit year round.
• With the orchards in bloom, spring is a gorgeous time to visit, but keep in mind that some farms may be closed or open for only limited hours.
• Spring isn’t the season for u-picking fruit or picking up baskets of fresh berries from the farm. Because of this, early spring (think April) tends to be a pleasantly crowd-free.
• Remember that different fruit trees will blossom at different times. Elevation also has an effect, and orchards near Hood River bloom earlier than those around Parkdale. Peak bloom time varies from year to year depending on weather, but you will usually find orchards in various stages of flowering throughout the month of April.
• Public restrooms are available at most restaurants, wineries, and breweries, as well as both Tucker and Toll Bridge Parks. There is also a port-a-potty at the Punchbowl Falls trailhead.
• Most locations on this list are accessible, although there are some moderately rough trail sections on the hike to Punchbowl Falls and in the other parks.
• All Hood River Fruit Loop locations on this list are family friendly. Be aware, however, that children are not allowed at Solera Brewery after 8pm.
• Most locations are dog friendly. Even at Solera Brewery and Grateful Vineyard, leashed dogs are allowed outdoors.
• There are no parking or entrance fees. Plan to spend some money, however, as there are plenty of tasty treats to tempt you.

WHAT TO BRING

• Water
• Snacks — This is primarily for those of you with kids (gotta keep away the hangry). Keep in mind that you will have plenty of opportunities to buy food and drink throughout your drive.
• Sunscreen
• Shade hats & sunglasses
• Jackets — Even when it’s warm in Hood River, Parkdale will be cooler. Also, the temperature drops considerably as the sun goes down.
• Good walking/hiking shoes — Be prepared for a short hike to Punchbowl Falls or a walk through the vineyard.
• Reusable shopping bags — You may just find some goodies on this trip that you want to bring home.
• Optional: picnic blanket, outdoor toys — Both Tucker Park and Toll Bridge Park are good spots for a picnic and a game of bocce or Frisbee.

HIGHLIGHTS

April along the Hood River Fruit Loop brings orchards in bloom, wildflowers along the trail to Punchbowl Falls, and the chance to enjoy fine food and drink without the crowds. On a sunny day, the views of Mount Hood are spectacular. Take your time and savor Oregon’s springtime bounty.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Let’s face it, cider, beer, and wine tastings do not make for an exciting day out for the kids. Fortunately, there are plenty of other kid-approved activities along the Hood River Fruit Loop, and all the places listed below are family friendly. Enjoy soft serve at The Old Trunk, take a short hike to Punchbowl Falls, and stop for a play break at Toll Bridge Park.

WHIL YOU’RE HERE

There is so much to do in and around Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge that one could literally write a book about it. If you’re a food lover, check out my guide for Eating Up the Columbia River Gorge: The Best Restaurants and More.

Looking for more hikes along the Gorge? Check out my Columbia River Gorge Hiking Guide: From Waterfalls to Wildflowers for some great day hikes.

This guide takes you on a counterclockwise tour of the Hood River Fruit Loop, starting and ending in the town of Hood River.
You can drive the loop in either direction, and you may find yourself backtracking if you want to revisit certain places for lunch or dinner. Since the loop is only 35 miles total, this is easy to do. Check out the places below, all of which are open in April, and design your own unique driving tour of the Hood River Fruit Loop.

APPLLE VALLEY COUNTRY STORE

For those starting their Hood River Fruit Loop drive early in the day, the Apple Valley Country Store is the perfect first stop. Located on Tucker Road as you head south out of Hood River, this is the place for cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, and all manner of delicious carbs to start your day. It’s also the place to stock up on local jams and other preserves. If you’re driving the Fruit Loop in April when fresh produce isn’t yet available, this is the next best thing.

Now, I admit we didn’t make it to Apple Valley Country Store for breakfast. Our Hood River Fruit Loop tour started in the late morning, and we drove straight to Parkdale for lunch at Apple Valley BBQ (which, you may not be surprised to hear, is owned by the same people who run the Apple Valley Country Store). Instead, we stopped by for huckleberry milkshakes another day after visiting the nearby Western Antique Aeroplane & Auromobile Museum. In other words, don’t limit yourself to breakfast. Apple Valley Country Store is worth a stop at any time.

P.S. — As if cinnamon rolls and huckleberry milkshakes weren’t enough, Apple Valley Country Store also sells pies. Just be prepared to take a whole pie home with you, as they don’t offer pie by the slice.

TUCKER PARK

Less than one mile down the road from Apple Valley Country Store, Tucker Park sits tucked away off Highway 281 above the Hood River. This small park is most notable because of its campground, which offers around 70 first come, first served campsites from May through October. It’s the closest campground to the town of Hood River, and its sheltered location means it gets far less wind than most campgrounds located along the Columbia River Gorge.

In April, the campground is closed, but there is a small day use area with a grassy lawn and picnic shelter, and a short trail down to the river. It’s a great place to stop for a picnic or if you, like us, happen to be in need of a restroom. Yes, I did in fact stop here with one of my sons for that very reason. We’ve all been there, right?

THE OLD TRUNK

A few miles past Tucker Park, The Old Trunk is the next stop on this journey. This funky antique store generally opens for the season in early April. It houses a vast assortment of kitschy memorabilia, quirky decor, and more. Vintage shoppers may happily while away an hour browsing the merchandise.

Even if you have no interest in antiques, The Old Trunk is worth a stop for one other significant reason: fresh fruit soft serve. The Old Trunk operates an old soft serve machine where they mix Tillamook vanilla ice cream with your choice of fruit to order, and boy is it delicious! In April, I’m sure the fruit was frozen, not technically “fresh”, but honestly, that’s perfect for ice cream. We enjoyed huckleberry, marionberry, and raspberry, and each one was mouth-wateringly good. Be aware that servings are large, so you may want to share (or maybe not).

In addition to soft serve, The Old Trunk offers a variety of house-made sodas and other treats. In summer, they also sell fresh berries and flowers.

PUNCHBOWL & DEAD POINT FALLS

Huckleberry milkshakes, marionberry soft serve… by now you may feel like you need to work off a few calories. If that’s the case, make a quick detour off the Fruit Loop to Punchbowl and Dead Point Falls.

Punchbowl Falls is a ten-minute drive south of The Old Trunk. Exit Highway 281 onto Punchbowl Road in the tiny hamlet of Dee to reach the trailhead. The trail is an easy 1.5 mile lollipop loop. It’s a level walk to reach the viewpoint overlooking both Punchbowl and Dead Point Falls, but there is a brief, somewhat steep section if you continue down the trail to the Hood River confluence.

The hike to Punchbowl and Dead Point Falls is a great leg-stretcher. The waterfalls may not be the most stunning in the Columbia River Gorge, but are nonetheless beautiful. Look for wildflowers along the trail in April, and enjoy the unique basalt cliffs surrounding Punchbowl Falls. This trail is much less crowded than other more well-known hikes along the Gorge, but I have a feeling that the word is starting to get out.

GRATEFUL VINEYARD

Our first and only winery stop along this April tour of the Hood River Fruit Loop is the incomparable Grateful Vineyard. On our trip, Grateful Vineyard was the final stop of the day, where we enjoyed an incredible pizza dinner by the vineyard. It was some of the best pizza I have ever had the pleasure of eating. That’s saying something, as I love pizza and have enjoyed many delectable pies both here in the U.S. and in Italy. Grateful Vineyard is definitely a contender for the top spot.

And the view! The sight of Mount Hood rising above the vineyard and fruit orchards would make any meal special. In April, delicate blossoms on the fruit trees only heighten its loveliness.

Please note that there is more to Grateful Vineyard than amazing pizza. In fact, pizza may not always be available, so check their website ahead of time to learn about their current offerings. Reservations are recommended. Meal options may be more limited in the winter, or available only on certain days, but wine tastings and food pairings are offered year-round.

Grateful Vineyard does not yet produce its own wines on site, as the vineyard itself is still too young for harvesting. Instead, their wines are currently made in the Willamette Valley. This is not a bad thing; the Willamette Valley reserve pinot noir we paired with dinner was wonderful. Grateful Vineyard also produces its own beer and cider.

Driving the Hood River Fruit Loop with kids? The tasting room at Grateful Vineyard is open to all ages. They have a fun play area for younger children near the fruit orchard, and my kids loved running down the wide open lanes of the vineyard.

APPLE VALLEY BBQ

The town of Parkdale may be tiny, but it offers some of the best local food and drink on the Hood River Fruit Loop. We enjoyed lunch from Apple Valley BBQ, located on Baseline Drive, the main road (practically the only road) through town. Apple Valley BBQ serves typical barbecue fare, including pulled pork and ribs, but its extensive menu also includes burgers, salads, sandwiches, and a variety of sides. Everything we tried, from the pulled pork to the poblano chili chicken sandwich to the garlic Parmesan fries, was delicious.

On the opposite side of Baseline Drive, look for Red Barn Park. This simple park features a grassy lawn and an antique log truck for the kids to explore. Unfortunately, there are no picnic tables, so a picnic blanket really comes in handy. Red Barn Park serves as an event venue, so may be off limits if there’s a local wedding. The park is adjacent to the Hutson Museum, a small historical museum that typically opens for the season sometime during the month of April.

SOLERA BREWERY

Also located in Parkdale, Solera Brewery crafts delicious beers in a gorgeous setting. Looking to enjoy a pint with an incredible view? Solera is the place. It’s experiences like this that make driving the Hood River Fruit Loop such a worthwhile trip.

Solera features a wide range of different beers, including some unique barrel aged and sour brews. These specialty beers are limited, so consider buying a bottle or two to bring home if you enjoy them. Solera also serves food, including sandwiches and burritos, and often hosts live music on the weekends. Kids are welcome outdoors and in designated indoor spaces until 8pm.

TOLL BRIDGE PARK

Just east of Parkdale, Toll Bridge Park is a must stop on the Hood River Fruit Loop for families with active children. Give the kids the chance to run around on the spacious lawn, play at the playground, or skip rocks in the river. It’s a beautiful spot, and similar to Tucker Park, there is a campground here as well. According to the park website, the camping season starts May 1st, but we noticed a few campers there when we visited in mid-April.

Toll Bridge Park has a larger day use area than Tucker Park, and it’s the most convenient playground along the Hood River Fruit Loop. Wander the sandy path through the trees to the river and soak in the scenery. In April, when there are no u-pick opportunities, Toll Bridge Park is a great place to unwind and relax before another cider tasting.

DRAPER GIRLS COUNTRY FARM

Heading north from Parkdale on Highway 35, Draper Girls Country Farm is a classic stop on the Hood River Fruit Loop. With country-style antiques, jams and jellies, apples and pears, and homemade cider (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic), Draper Girls has something for everyone. Try a tasting of their fruit-forward ciders, and if you find one you like, purchase a growler to bring home. You won’t find these ciders in any stores, just straight from the farm.

Draper Girls also has a swing for the kids, and you just may see a cute little goat or two during your visit. In summer, their fruit options expand well beyond apples and pears from cold storage, and u-picking is also available.

THE GORGE WHITE HOUSE

Cider fans should also plan a visit to The Gorge White House. This genteel mansion along Highway 35 offers house made cider and wine tastings in a beautiful outdoor setting (that seems to be a common theme along the Hood River Fruit Loop, in case you haven’t noticed). A food stand on site also serves burgers and other fare. During our April visit, the daffodils behind the White House were in full bloom. Fresh flowers and fruit are available as the season progresses.

If by this time you feel that another cider/wine/beer tasting is simply too much, take heart. The Gorge White House is only five miles from downtown Hood River, so if you’re staying longer in the area, it’s easy to pop by another day. In fact, that’s exactly what we did, stopping for a visit after biking and enjoying lunch in Hood River. It’s a wonderful place to relax and wind down in the afternoon.

PANORAMA POINT

Last but not least, let’s stop for one final, glorious view. Panorama Point, located near Highway 35 on Eastside Road, offers a breathtaking view across rolling farmland, showcasing the bounty of the Hood River Fruit Loop. And wouldn’t you know it? There’s Mount Hood, proudly standing above it all as she has throughout the centuries. It’s a classic Oregon scene, one that never grows old.

I hope you enjoyed our tour of Hood River Fruit Loop.
Be sure to check out Eating Up the Columbia River Gorge for more delicious restaurant recommendations, and my Columbia River Gorge Hiking Guide for more local day hikes.
Happy exploring, from my backyard to yours!