If your only knowledge of a “fruit loop” involves the cereal by the same name, it’s time to change that. The Hood River Fruit Loop is one of our favorite things to do in the Columbia River Gorge in the summer months, and it’s sure to become one of yours, too. The Oregon Fruit Loop is more than a scenic drive; it’s a delicious way to dive into the local agricultural scene in this unique part of Oregon.
While the Willamette Valley to the south of Portland is well-known as Oregon’s premier wine country, the area east of Portland near Hood River is better known as fruit country (though there are plenty of great Hood River wineries here, too). This part of the state is the largest fruit-growing region in Oregon, with more than 30% of the nation’s winter pears grown here, along with plenty of delicious apples, berries, peaches, cherries, and more.
There are few finer moments in life than biting into some farm-fresh fruit in the heat of a summer day, but that’s exactly what you can expect while driving along the Hood River Fruit Loop. The only thing that can make this scenic and delicious adventure worth it is a stay at a luxury Hood River cabin like ours. Book your getaway today!
What to See as You Drive the Hood River Fruit Loop
Though you can easily spend an entire day on the Hood River Fruit Loop, in reality, the scenic fruit loop near Hood River is only about 35 miles long. We can assure you that the scenery along this stretch of road is just as delicious as the fruit. To get a taste of what awaits, don’t miss a stop at Panorama Point, just south of Hood River. The entire valley can be seen here, including its 15,000 acres of orchards and vineyards.
As you venture further onto the Hood River Fruit Loop, you’ll find nearly 30 different farms, fruit stands, and even a few wineries, breweries, and cideries just waiting to be discovered. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day, which you can decide based on this friendly self-guided map of the Hood River Fruit Loop. We recommend a minimum of 4-5 hours to do this drive, though you can easily break this up into more than one day, depending on how many stops (including wine tastings!) you want to enjoy.
The best time to visit the Hood River Fruit Loop depends a little bit on what you’re looking for. The springtime blossoms are beautiful from March to May, but things really kick off along the Oregon Fruit Loop in June when the first produce of the season arrives, and it will carry on from then until the end of harvest season. Of course, we certainly have a few favorite U-pick farms along the Hood River Fruit Loop. Here are a few of our favorite farms, depending on what you’re looking for.
- One of our favorite spots for U-Pick strawberries is Draper Girls Country Farm. Another great option is The Gorge White House, which also just so happens to be an excellent stop for lavender, wine, and cider!
- If you’re looking to go Cherry picking in Hood River, head to Packer Orchards, Kiyokawa Family Orchards, or Hood River U-Pick Organic.
- For delicious, fresh blueberries, the best U-Pick farms in the Columbia River Gorge include Mt. View Orchards, Montavon’s Berries, and The Old Trunk.
- For gorgeous lavender farms with U-pick options, don’t miss The Gorge White House, Hope Ranch Lavender, Hood River Lavender, or Wy’East Vineyards.
- For the best selection of orchard-fresh apples, don’t miss Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Packer Orchard, Pearl’s Place, and Mt View Orchard.
To round out your adventure on the Fruit Loop in Oregon, here are a few more recommended stops to make the most of this delicious day.
- A popular place to do a little shopping on the Hood River Fruit Loop is the Apple Valley Country Store & Bakery. They’ve become well known for their huckleberry milkshakes, but they also have a great selection of fresh fruit as well as fresh and frozen pies.
- If you’re looking for a great lunch spot as you navigate the Hood River Fruit Loop, it’s hard to beat Apple Valley BBQ.
- If you’re looking to add some wine tasting to your adventure on the Hood River Fruit Loop, don’t miss the Marchesi Vineyards & Winery.
- If a brewery is more what you’re after, Solera Brewery is a great choice.
Why We Are the Best Hood River Cabin Getaway
However much or little time you dedicate to driving the Hood River Fruit Loop, we have no doubt you’ll love every second of this part of your stay in the Columbia River Gorge. When it’s time to unwind for the afternoon, a luxury Hood River cabin at Carson Ridge Cabins will be waiting. Put your feet up and enjoy a delicious glass of wine on your cabin porch, or unwind at one of the scenic locations around our property.
When it’s time for dinner, there are plenty of great nearby restaurants in Stevenson, WA, not to mention even more fantastic Hood River Restaurants just across the river. With so many great things on offer this summer, we’d love nothing more than to share a slice of our personal heaven with you. Book your Hood River cabin getaway with us today!
