We’re going to organize this list by distance from Hood River in terms of mileage. There are usually day pass envelopes at trailheads, but you should know that the infrastructure on national forest lands is much less reliable (and you’ll need $5 cash). If not, just get a Northwest Forest Pass (also available at REI). Basically, if you’re planning to visit two or more national parks in the next 12 months, buy an America the Beautiful Pass (you can get it online at REI). However, the America the Beautiful Pass (colloquially, the “national parks pass”) covers all federal land in the country, including national forests. A Northwest Forest Pass covers all of the trailheads on national forest land in both Oregon and Washington State, and is essentially a must-have for hikers in either state because the vast majority of hikes are on federal land.There are machines to buy a Discover Pass onsite at the trailheads for Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain, or you can buy one online. If you think you might make three or more visits to state parks in Washington (the other park near Portland is up on the southwestern Washington coast), then an annual pass makes sense. A day pass costs $10, and an annual pass is $30. A Discover Pass covers entrance to all of the state parks in Washington.Here’s a high-level summary of the passes you might need.įor this particular set of hikes, there are two passes you’ll need: a Discover Pass for the two hikes in Beacon Rock State Park (a Washington State Park), and a Northwest Forest Pass for the remaining hikes. Which is why for each hike, we’ve included a bullet for which parking pass you’ll need to display at the trailhead. The parking pass situation can be confusing! On the list below, you’ll find hikes in Oregon and Washington, in state parks and on national forest land. The Best Hikes near Hood River: A Complete Guide to 12 Amazing Hikesīefore we get into the list of hikes near Hood River, let’s talk about parking passes. That being said, we would absolutely never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%. Plus, everything you need to know to plan your hike – where to park, what pass you need, and more.ĭisclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel and vacation rental links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. In the list below, you’ll find hikes that take you to gorgeous waterfalls, epic views of both the Gorge and the surrounding peaks of the Cascades, and, on occasion, both. In this guide, we’re going to cover the best hikes near Hood River based on our personal experience exploring. That diversity of landscapes near Hood River means that, within 90 minutes of town, there’s a staggering number of amazing hikes with completely different payoffs. And east is the high desert, where the dense forests and waterfalls give way to rolling golden hills. As you head north, you climb into a sub-alpine region at the foot of Mount Adams. To the south, it’s the Hood River Valley, full of amazing fresh produce and views of the surrounding mountain peaks. To the west, you’ll find lush forests and towering waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The town sits at an intersection of multiple different types of geography and climate, which means there is an incredible amount of diversity in terms of landscapes within an hour or so of Hood River. Hood River’s location in the Columbia River Gorge is what makes it a worthy destination. At just an hour away from Portland, Hood River is a great destination for both a day trip and a weekend getaway.
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