As the growing season gets into full swing in the Hood River Valley, so does the fun at Packer Orchards. The fourth-generation family orchard knows how to entertain the whole family at its Farm Place about 7 miles south of Hood River, where an ever-changing roster of activities and seasonal foods celebrates life on the farm. From the first blush of spring blossoms through the pumpkin-picking days of autumn, there’s plenty of fruit — and fun — for the whole family to enjoy.
Spring: Blossoms and Babies
Packer Orchards is a feast for the eyes in spring, when fruit blossoms fill the Hood River Valley and wildflowers paint the nearby hills. Peak bloom usually happens between late March and early May. Spring’s other highlight at the orchard is a little more predictable: baby animals. Throughout April and May, winsome Kunekune piglets, wobbly pygmy goat kids and fuzzy chicks are ready to meet visitors. You’re welcome to enter their pens for a pat, or purchase a bottle of milk or a bag of feed for the perfect photo op with the kids.
Families can choose from all sorts of farm-themed activities around the grounds, including a children’s planting station with vegetable seeds, a maze made from fruit crates, and a clever playground created from tractor tires and assorted agriculture equipment. A tractor pulls a train of striped bumblebee cars along the Bee Trail, where signs tucked among the trees explain the role of bees in pollinating crops. Sign up online for special events like a honey-tasting experience that includes a guided walk through the orchard.
Summer: Fruit in Every Form
The warmth of summer marks the beginning of the fruit harvest. Having started with just a few dozen pear and apple trees planted in the 1920s, Packer Orchards today farms more than 100 acres of pears, apples, cherries, peaches, apricots and nectarines throughout the Hood River Valley. Along the way, the orchard’s offerings expanded to farm-made jams, other fruit products and baked goods, many of them sweetened with homegrown pears. Rows of jars are open for sampling in the Farm Place sales barn, inviting you to taste-test tart cherry jam, peach salsa, pickled vegetables and dozens of other Packer specialties. Many products are also available at Packer’s online store.
Strawberries are the first fresh fruit to make an appearance in summer. They’re available in pies, shakes, strawberry-cinnamon rolls and other baked goods. A jam-making class is part of a June “Strawberry Experience.” Cherries, a key Hood River Valley crop, are a July highlight — that’s when Packer’s sweet cherry U-pick opens to the public, while bins of fresh pie cherries gleam in the sales barn. In August U-pick opens for peaches, while crates of apples, nectarines and apricots begin to roll in from the orchards. Keep cool with a glass of Packer’s own cider, a local craft beer or a fresh-dipped ice cream cone, which you can enjoy under a shady umbrella with a bobbing field of sunflowers for a backdrop.
Fall: Apples, Pears and Pumpkins
The harvest hits its peak in September and October. Fill a bushel with U-pick Gala apples, or choose among bin after bin of pear and apple varieties in the sales barn. Cider doughnuts, pumpkin-spice cinnamon rolls, caramel apples and other autumn treats offer plenty of temptations while you shop.
Kids will be delighted by all the fun outside. Fall Festival tickets (available online) give families access to a bounty of activities around the farm, including a giant hay slide, a corn-kernel pit, and the ever-popular corn maze. Pumpkins have grown fat in the field and are ready for picking, and the now-grown goats are always eager for a treat. Charlie Brown and Snoopy join the fun in 2024, as Packer Orchards celebrates the 75th anniversary of Peanuts. Check the Facebook page for other one-day events, too, like the evening Flashlight Maze or spooky Haunted Corn Maze.
November begins the quiet winter season — time to shop for Packer goodies online, keep an eye on social media for holiday events and look forward to another entertaining and educational year on the farm.
When You Go:
Many Farm Place activities are free, while you’ll need to book ahead and pay an admission for others. Check the website before you go.
