Just an hour from Portland, the Hood River Fruit Loop is filled with dozens of orchards, wineries, farms, produce stands, breweries, flower fields, and more. We’ve rounded up our favorite stops to help you plan your trip.
One of the best things to do in Hood River is to spend a day following the area’s famed Fruit Loop — a scenic drive through the valley that spans 35 miles and takes visitors past dozens different wineries, orchards and farms.
Stop for a wine with a view, sample local farm-to-table cuisine, pick your own seasonal fruit, and shop for homemade jams and pickled veggies to bring home with you (aka a souvenir that keeps on giving!).
As you’ll soon discover, driving the Fruit Loop is not only one of the most fun things to do in the area, but it’s one of the best things to do in Oregon.
Hood River Fruit Loop Guide
My personal experience
Being that we live just 2.5-hours away from Hood River, we go often. Like, at least once a season. And any time our visit falls in the spring, summer, or autumn, we are sure to hit up as many spots on the Fruit Loop as possible.
It’s safe to say I’ve probably visited the Fruit Loop more than a dozen times and have come to have favorites that we go to again and again.
In this guide, I’m sharing all the spots we return to time and time again so that you can plan your own visit to this special area.
What is the Hood River Fruit Loop?
The Hood River Fruit Loop is a collection of fruit orchards, vineyards, wineries, and other local farms.
Founded in 1992 as a concept to promote sustainable agriculture in Hood River, the Fruit Loop was the brainchild of two local farms. It was modeled after Apple Hill, another agricultural community of 50 family-owned farms located an hour from Sacramento.
Today, the Fruit Loop is a huge part of tourism in Hood River and is one of the best things to do whether you’re a local or a visitor to the area.
Important info for visiting:
- While the Fruit Loop is accessible year-round, many of its businesses are seasonal and may not be open outside of the growing season.
- Most vendors close by 6pm, even during the summer (and several close at 4:00 or 5:00 pm!), so plan accordingly.
- Check the official Hood River Fruit Loop Facebook page for the most up-to-date information on openings and other events.
Where is the Fruit Loop?
At about an hour’s drive from the city, the Hood River Fruit Loop makes the perfect day trip from Portland.
Nestled on the bank of the Columbia River, this region has a climate that’s perfect for growing many things — grapes for wine, berries, apples and pears, pumpkins, flowers — the list goes on.
Map of the Hood River Fruit Loop
Use this map of our recommended stops on the Hood River Fruit Loop to help you plan your route. Just click on the map above and you’ll be taken to the interactive Google Map.
Best time to visit the Fruit Loop
Fruit Loop Season Guide:
- April: tulips
- May: strawberries
- June: strawberries, lavender, cherries
- July: lavender, cherries, blueberries, peaches
- August: lavender, blueberries, peaches, pears, apples
- September: blueberries, pears, apples, pumpkins
- October: pears, apples, pumpkins
Most of the businesses along the Fruit Loop update their websites and social media pages with current information on exactly what’s being harvested and when, so if you’re interested in a specific type of produce, it’s a good idea to follow some of the businesses (we list many below!).
Best stops along the Hood River Fruit Loop
While there are more than 30 official stops total along the Hood River Fruit Loop, it’s a good idea to have a handful of go-to favorites or have a plan for visiting a few at a time to eventually explore them all.
In this guide, we’re sharing our favorite stops along the Hood River Fruit Loop to help you plan out your itinerary, whether you have a single day or you’re exploring Oregon on a road-trip.
1. Hood River Lavender Farm
This lavender farm is one of the most beautiful stops on the loop. It’s hard to beat a picture-perfect lavender farm with snow-blanketed Mount Hood poised perfectly in the background.
Visitors can stroll through the lavender fields or simply sit on one of the benches and take in the views for free.
During the summer months when the lavender is in bloom, you can also cut your own bundle. The last time we visited (in 2026), it cost $20, which was quite a bit more than previous years.
Any time of year, you can shop a great selection of lavender products from the gift shop, including onsite-steam-distilled oil, lotions, candles, and more.
If you want plan your visit around seeing the lavender in bloom, time it for mid-June through late July.
Psst! Check out these other breathtaking Oregon lavender farms you can visit!
Google Maps Location: Hood River Lavender Farm
2. Apple Valley Country Store
Nestled in a river valley, this country store looks like something out of a postcard and is one of the best-kept secrets on the Fruit Loop!
If you’re there in the fall, be sure to try the pear dumplings (I’m drooling just thinking about them!) and their huckleberry milkshake is good earlier in the summer.
They also have a farm store where you can buy local goodies, jams, and frozen pies.
Google Maps Location: Apple Valley Country Store
3. Pearl’s Place
This is one of those places I keep coming back to. They have a cute farm stand with great views of Mt. Adams, and rows and rows of fruit trees.
There is also a little playground for the kiddos and plenty of places to relax and soak in the views.
But this is really what brings us back every year.
Let me introduce you to the Gorge Glacier: a non-alcoholic cider slushie with caramel, soft serve and whipped cream. You are going to want to order two.
Google Maps Location: Pearl’s Place
4. Hood River U-Pick Organic
Our favorite U-pick orchard along the Hood River Fruit Loop, we love stopping here in the summer for U-pick cherries and again in the fall for U-pick apples.
This orchard has farm animals you can feed, hammocks where you can lounge and even tables you can use for bringing your own picnic.
When to go for U-pick:
- Organic U-Pick Cherries
- Late June thru Mid-July
- Bings, Rainiers, and Pie Cherries
- Organic U-Pick Apples
- Mid-September thru Mid-October
- Honey crisp & Gala
Tip: Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
Google Maps Location: Hood River U-Pick Organic
5. Stave & Stone Winery
Another personal favorite of ours. We really love stopping at Stave & Stone when we’re in the area. While there are several excellent wineries in Hood River, this one stands out from the rest.
The award-winning wines are wonderful, there are light bites to pair, and the mountain views are stunning.
They’re known for their Pinot Noir, Cab, and Riesling, and we’d suggest ordering a flight to find your favorite.
In addition to the cozy tasting room and covered patio, there’s a more casual, family-friendly Wine Garden with picnic tables and yard games that’s open from May through October.
Stave & Stone is also situated right next to Hood River Lavender Farm, making them a perfect pairing (no pun intended).
Google Maps Location: Stave & Stone Winery
6. Packer Orchards & Bakery
Everyone has their own favorite locations along the Hood River Fruit Loop, but you’ll quickly realize that Packer Orchards is a lot of people’s favorite!
One of the main reasons Packer has such a cult-like following is their pears. They have a variety, and they are the most reasonably-priced we’ve seen on the Fruit Loop. Our favorite thing to do is get a fill-your-own bag (starting at just $5) and fill it with a variety of pears to sample.
Packer’s also has incredible baked goods. I personally love their cookies!
Another fan favorite that makes Packer stand out is their gigantic selection of pickled goodies and jams. They often have samples so you can try as many as you’d like. Their vanilla pear jam is incredible!7.
Google Maps Location: Packer Orchards & Bakery
7. Solera Brewery
If you appreciate great food, local craft beer, and killer views, this is your spot!
Solera Brewery has a seating area out back where you can enjoy your brew and a perfectly-framed view of Mt. Hood at the same time.
When the weather isn’t the best, Solera’s indoor space is great too. It’s a converted theater and has a very laid-back, welcoming vibe with open seating and frequent live music.
When it comes to food, we highly recommend the massive burrito bowl (with pulled pork) and splitting it!
One quick thing to note is that the kitchen is teeny tiny, so when the brewery is busy, food takes a while to come out. Be patient and take a little extra time to enjoy your beer!
Visiting the Fruit Loop in November? Head to Solera for their beloved annual Chanterelles and Ales event. It’s a “celebration of wild ales and wild mushrooms,” featuring mushroom-focused food and drink pairings from several other Oregon breweries and chefs.
Google Maps Location: Solera Brewery
Want to explore the PNW like a local?
If you want to save yourself hours of research planning your Pacific Northwest road trip, we’ve got something you might be interested in…
We create the ultimate resource for traveling in our home-region. Our custom PNW Map includes our top recommendations in Washington and Oregon, (including all 4 national parks in the region!).
We loaded this map with all of our favorite spots, personal tips and photos, and hidden gems we’ve run into as we continue to explore our little corner of the world.
This custom Google Map will help you navigate the PNW like a local!
8. Pear Bloom Farm
Probably the longest-lasting U-pick farm in Hood River. Here’s what I mean.
One of the main attractions at Pear Bloom Farm is their flower shop. Hanging from the ceiling are hundreds of dried flowers in all colors.
Pick out your own bud vase and fill it with your own arrangement of U-pick fresh flowers or dried flowers. The flowers are free and you pay for the vase (starting at around $12).
Juniper and I made our own dried flower arrangement, and we’ve had the vase in our campervan for a year now, and it still looks amazing and brings me so much joy. Best $12 ever!
Be sure to follow the signs to visit their “Secret Garden”.
Google Maps Location: Pear Bloom Farm
9. The Old Trunk
Perfectly kitschy (in a charming way!), The Old Trunk is part funky vintage shop, part U-pick orchard, and part old-fashioned soda shop, this Hood River Fruit Loop stop is a gem (and totally under the radar).
While you can absolutely shop for antiques here, the real reason we recommend stopping here is the ice cream.
It’s not your typical scoop…
They combine Tillamook ice cream with fresh fruit of your choice to create a super delicious and fresh-tasting soft serve. Our recommendation: marionberry or huckleberry!
Google Maps Location: The Old Trunk
10. Draper Girls’ Country Farm
Run by a mom and her 3 daughters, Draper Girls’ has a farm stand, hand-crafted ciders, and a country store. You must pay a small fee (it was $3 when we visited) to enter their outdoor space with farm animals, flower gardens, and a swing with iconic views of Mount Hood.
I’ll be honest and say that in my experience, I’ve found the price of fruit here tends to be on the more expensive side compared to others on the Fruit Loop.
Cider is another star attraction at Draper Girls’, with the third-generation farm producing both sweet and hard varieties, all hand-pressed onsite.
While the farm fills growlers of their award-winning hard cider, they don’t distribute at all, even locally. So if you want to enjoy the cider, the only way to do so is to buy it straight from the source.
Another perk to Draper Girls’ is that it’s open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, rain or shine. Even when no staff is onsite, customers can enjoy goodies from the farm stand, helping themselves and paying via the locked green box on an honor system.
Google Maps Location: Draper Girls’ Country Farm
11. The Gorge White House
Arguably one of the most well-known stops along the Hood River Fruit Loop, the Gorge White House is worth the hype.
This century-plus-old Dutch Colonial farmhouse is home to a charming winery plus summer U-pick orchards and flower fields.
While the White House produces just a few of its own wines, it offers a very impressive selection of wines from other local Columbia River Gorge wineries. They also have a great selection of ciders. I personally love the lemon pear, but recommend trying a flight to find your favorite!
Hungry? Head to the onsite Farm Fresh Food Cart, which has a small and casual, yet elevated menu. We love the flatbreads which feature local fruit, like cherry bacon, blueberry sausage, and pear caramelized onion.
Google Maps Location: The Gorge White House
More things to do in Hood River
If you’re looking for more ideas for things to do, we have an entire article of fun things to do in Hood River where we share details and tips for planning your visit.
Plan your trip to Oregon
Being that Oregon is our home state, we have TONS of content to help you plan your trip. Start with our Oregon Homepage and be sure to check out the articles below. Leave us a comment if you have any more questions!
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We want to hear from you!
Which stop along the Hood River Fruit Loop are you most excited about visiting? Do you have any other recommended stops you think we should add to this list? Leave us a comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!
Katie Diederichs is the lead writer and co-founder of Two Wandering Soles, where she creates in-depth travel guides, itineraries, and tips designed to help readers plan better trips with confidence. With a background in journalism, photography, and design, she combines thorough research with firsthand experience to deliver clear, practical, and visually driven travel content. As the primary trip planner, Katie turns complex logistics into easy-to-follow advice travelers can actually use.
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