Driving through the Eastern Columbia Gorge on a summer road trip, you’ll see rolling hills dotted with thousands of fruit trees that change with the season. In cherry season it’s gorgeous, with clusters of ripe red jewels dangling among the green leaves. The Dalles and Mosier are prime spots for growing cherries, with excellent volcanic soil, rain-shadow protection and ideal temperatures. Those conditions have made this Oregon region a top three sweet cherry producer since the late 1800s.
Even better than the views are the U-pick adventures to be had. During cherry season — which typically runs from mid-June through July — you’ll find ample opportunities along the East Gorge Food Trail to fill a bucket with plump, juicy cherries straight off the trees for snacking or preserving to enjoy a taste of summer later on. Here are some favorite spots to visit with your buckets.
U-Pick Cherry Stops Along the Food Trail
While the majority of cherries grown in The Dalles are packed and shipped to grocery stores, there are several picturesque spots to pick fruit in Mosier. Check online or call each orchard before heading out to confirm there’s plenty of fruit to pick.
Just off of Highway 30, about 1 mile outside of Mosier, Columbia View Orchards is known for its dark sweet cherries to pick by the bucketful while taking in Columbia River vistas. At Lopez U-Pick Farm, take in the view of the Mosier Valley while picking sweet Rainier cherries — a golden-yellow variety with a red blush that’s a specialty of the area. Once your bucket is full, enjoy take-out or snacks purchased in nearby Mosier in its shady picnic area.
Root Orchards — a fifth generation, family-run orchard that goes back to 1878 — spans over 100 acres of cherry trees ripe for the picking. The orchard is open seven days each week during cherry season and provides the option for both U-pick and we-pick cherries, so you can preorder and pick up whatever variety you desire.
For over 12 varieties of sweet and pie cherries — including Bing, Black Pearl, Rainier and Montmorency — head to Evans Fruit Company. Here buckets and wagons are provided to pickers to help operations as they walk through the orchard. Rosedale Fruit Farm offers two picking locations in Mosier, each with different varieties. Early-season varieties like Tieton and Early Robin can be found at their block off Huskey Road, while the Root Road orchard provides access to 10 cherry varieties later on during midseason.
No time to pick? Sandoz Farm stocks ripe cherries from farmers in The Dalles at its fruit stand. Here you will also find other goodies to take home for a summer meal, such as freshly harvested vegetables, homemade pickles, jams and pies.
Sip Wine and Pick Fruit
Looking to make an afternoon out of it? Pack a picnic and head to Idiot’s Grace in Mosier, where wandering the vineyard and orchard is encouraged. You can sip wine and enjoy your snacks at the picnic table before harvesting in the certified-organic cherry orchard with trees that are 100-plus years old for picking.
At Analemma Wines, traipse up through the certified-organic and biodynamic orchard for fruit picking with a view of the rolling green Mosier Hills below in the distance. The winery hosts two weekends for Bing cherry picking throughout the summer, which coincide with the opportunity to pick fragrant lavender as well. Pair your cherry-picking visit with a wine tasting, choose something to sip by the glass, or settle in for a meal from the on-site Countryside Restaurant, featuring locally raised produce and meats.
More Cherry Picking in the Columbia River Gorge
While in the Gorge, you can’t miss another classic spot for orchards south of Hood River, the Hood River Fruit Loop. Four miles south of Hood River, a family-friendly spot called The Gorge White House offers U-pick cherries, along with blueberries, raspberries and flowers while you’re there. Down the road, Packer Orchards hosts its Cherry Days event each July, where you can pick cherries, meander the grounds and try baked treats made using fruit from the farm. Kids will love the farm animals and playground area.
While Kiyokawa Family Orchards in Parkdale is known for its wide selection of U-pick apples in fall, the orchard also grows 19 varieties of cherries — with several available for U-pick — as well as a large selection to take home from the stand. The orchard rolls out Mobi-mats once fruit is ready to be picked, making the U-pick area wheelchair accessible.
If You Go:
- Cherry season depends on the weather and availability, so be sure to call your destination before you go to check hours and make sure they have the cherries you want.
- Bring sturdy shoes, a sun hat and plenty of sunscreen, but leave your pup at home when you’re planning to pick fruit.
- Bring your own containers to take cherries home. A cooler is a good idea, too. Cool cherries down as soon as possible after they’re picked to keep them at their best taste and texture.
