Hood River, Oregon

On October 29, 1792, WR Broughton and his men of the Vancouver Expedition discovered and named Mt. Hood, in honor of Lord Hood of British Admiralty. The Lewis and Clark Expedition paved the way and named the glacial stream now known as the Hood River. Followed by Lewis and Clark were trappers, fur traders, and pioneer settlers.
 

Currently in Hood River 38° CLOUDY Humidity: 96 Visibility: 8 Wind: NNE 10-day forecast

View Attractions Columbia Gorge in a larger map

Area Attractions Fruit Loop in the Hood River Valley Take a 35-mile scenic meander through the fruit orchards, small towns, and back roads of the Hood River Valley. Experience Oregon's largest fruit growing region. International Museum of Carousel Art Experience the largest and most comprehensive collection of carousel horses in the world. This collection of antique and one-of-a-kind carousel animals is something you absolutely should not miss. Columbia Gorge Discover Center With more than 18,000 square feet dedicated to exhibits interpreting the cultural and natural history of the area there is plenty to learn, see and read when visiting. Timberline Lodge Timberline Lodge stands at 6,000 feet on the slope of Mt. Hood. Built in the 1930s, the historic landmark remains a favorite spot for Oregonians year-round and a summer ski destination for the world.

Nearby Lodging Pheasant Valley Orchards Bed & Breakfast Pheasant Valley’s Bed & Breakfast and Winery are nestled in the heart of the scenic Columbia River Gorge. We are just 60 miles east of Portland and minutes from downtown Hood River. Mt. Hood Hamlet Bed & Breakfast in Mt Hood Four individually unique guestrooms are decorated with beauty, comfort and care; each with a private bath, fireplace and more. There is a wonderful outdoor hot-tub to soak in. Best Western Hood River Inn Guest rooms are spacious and well appointed, many featuring river views and some balconies. Skamania Lodge is a renowned Pacific Northwest resort located in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon. Enjoy peace and comfort in our 254 newly enhanced guest rooms. The Dalles Inn- The Dalles Stay in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Stroll the charming streets of The Dalles, dine at wonderful restaurants, visit the local winery, and explore the Columbia River Gorge with its many activities. Best Western Columbia River Inn, in the heart of the scenic Columbia River Gorge, is conveniently located only 35 miles from Portland. Shilo Inn Suites - The Dalles Featuring 112 guest rooms; many with river view or sliding glass door to a deck. Exit 87 off I-84, turn toward bridge, right on Bret Clodfelter Way. Located just west of downtown Sandy, the Best Western Sandy Inn provides a quiet and comfortable place to sleep after a full day of fun. We are only 25 miles from Mt. Hood's various ski resorts for skiing year round and night skiing during the winter.

The first school was built in 1863. In 1867 a road from The Dalles to Hood River was completed. By 1880 there were seventeen families living in the valley. In 1884, the Oregon Short Line was completed and connected to the Union Pacific, bringing rail transportation in. In 1889, George Prathor printed the first newspaper and shortly after, in 1900, Leslie Butler founded the first bank.

Also at the turn of the century, fruit production had become the major agricultural enterprise. During the years of 1890 to 1920, Hood River was world famous for its apples.

Today:
Hood River County is now responsible for the leading production of Anjou Pears in the world. Fruits and timber products are still the major sources of revenue, although industrial opportunities are growing, and the future years will bring even more new development.

Geological Information:
Hood River is located within an area of an important rock formation known as Columbia Lava. This formation is a vast sheet covering nearly 250,000 square miles and varying in thickness from 300 to 4,000 feet.

This mass was not formed in one single eruption but rather by a series of several eruptions between Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, with a short time lapse intervening. The line of separation between the flows is commonly marked by sand, clay or gravel. A large part of these lavas cooled slowly and whenever vertical sections of the rock are visible a columnar structure is usually present.

The columnar cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge and along the course of the Hood River often reach 500 feet or more in height. The broad features of the valley are structural. Since the initial formation, the valley has been modified in detail by erosion, both by running water and glaciers. The effects of the glaciers, however, are mainly deposition, while erosion has done very little beyond cutting the narrow valley in which the river flows.