With Mt. Hood towering in the background, the Hood River Valley is the Oregon ideal for both beautiful views and fresh produce. While a drive through the area means delighting in thousands of blossoming fruit trees in spring, it’s even better when you stop at a local farm. The area offers ideal conditions for growing a variety of berries, and you can pick your own fruit at a number of local farms in the valley. Whether your plans include summer snacking, jam making or freezing for later, here are some favorite spots for U-picking in the Columbia River Gorge.
U-Pick Berry Stops on the Fruit Loop
Just over 3 miles south of downtown Hood River, Pearl’s Place is a good first stop on the Hood River Fruit Loop — a 35-mile drive down rural roads through orchards and farmland. Grab a berry basket and head to the patch for big, juicy strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. On a warm day, cool off with a freshly pressed apple slushie before heading back to the car. Just a bit farther down Highway 35, a historic white house — built in the early 1900s — towers over the lawn and welcomes you to the Gorge White House property. Here you can wander and pick through rows of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. This is also a great spot to relax with lunch from the on-site food cart paired with a tasting flight of hard cider. Both feature fruit from the farm.
You may not expect to find U-pick berries behind an antique store, but you can at The Old Trunk, located about 7 miles from Hood River. Wander back into the garden for organic raspberries, blueberries and marionberries. After you’ve picked your fair share of berries, head inside to the soda fountain. Tillamook ice cream and fresh fruit grown on-site are whirled through a soft-serve machine for the perfect afternoon treat.
Farther south in Parkdale, Montavon’s Berries is the top spot to visit if you’re looking for large quantities of berries. The rows seem to go on forever, with a nice grassy lawn and a beautiful view of Mt. Hood while picking. Willamette raspberries and four different varieties of blueberries are available.
For another fruit-picking stop with a view, Mt. View Orchards includes 50 acres to roam. While much of the farm is apple and pear orchards for picking in fall, you’ll find fresh blueberries for U-pick in July. This is also a great stop to pick a bouquet of dahlias and sunflowers once your fruit basket is full. Round out the day with a pint of homemade root beer, or sit in the Grateful Vineyard tasting room or out on a picnic table for a glass of wine paired with pizza featuring farm-fresh toppings.
U-Picking in Mosier and The Dalles
The East Gorge Food Trail also offers plenty of tasty options for picking fresh fruit such as cherries, peaches, pears and apples, along with stops for wine and snacks. In Mosier visit Analemma Wines to taste biodynamically farmed whites and reds, and pick a bag of cherries or a bundle of lavender to take home. For U-pick cherries and peaches, head to Evans Fruit Company in mid-June. For fresh apricots, head to Annie’s Apricots in The Dalles in late July.
Top Tips for a Berry-Picking Trip
Plan your trip around the type of berries you’re hoping to take home. Strawberries ripen from June through mid-August, while raspberries and blueberries are typically ready from early July into early September.
Heading out for berry picking is a fun activity for all ages, but there are a few key tips to keep in mind. Summer days can be hot in the valley, so consider packing a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water, and arrive early to beat the heat. If you have extra bags or baskets, bring those along as well. Each U-pick farm does things a bit differently, so it’s highly advised to call ahead to double-check they still have fruit for picking, and to find out what methods of payment they accept. When you arrive, check in so you know where on the property you can pick fruit. Some farms have specific rows dedicated to U-pick, or they alternate rows throughout the season.
If you’re planning to stay the night, tuck in at Hood River’s only waterfront hotel, the Hood River Inn, or take the vintage brass elevator up to your room at the early-1900s Hood River Hotel. For more historic charm and views of downtown, book a condo-style room with a kitchen at The Horsefeathers Hotel. In Mosier check into one of four luxury cabins with river views at Camp Randonée.
