There are 30 stops on the Hood River Fruit Loop, and, as adventurous as my daughter is, she would never visit that many farm stands in one day — at any age. If your family is like mine, you’re going to have to make some hard choices, and this post will help you do just that.
Spoiler alert: You’re not going to visit all nine wineries.
What is the Hood River Fruit Loop?
For the uninitiated, the Hood River Fruit Loop is a series of farms, orchards, distilleries, and wineries, all conveniently located within a 35-mile loop in Hood River, Oregon. You’ll eat and drink the very best the Hood River Valley has to offer on this excursion beloved by locals and tourists alike.
When should I go on the Hood River Fruit Loop?
The short answer is any time between June and October is a great time to visit the Fruit Loop. If you’re looking for a specific type of fruit, this chart will give you a rough estimate. Always check farm websites or social media before heading out if you have your heart set on a particular fruit or variety.
1. Pearl’s Place Fruit Stand: A Farm with Charm
Stop number one on the Hood River Fruit Loop could not be more charming. The u-pick orchard at Pearl’s Place is short and easy for little hands to reach, and the open air farm store sells ice cream and slushees. If you plan to purchase one or two items at each stop, it’s perfectly fine to u-pick even just one apple at Pearl’s. View Mt. Adams from a spacious family swing, picnic tables, play structure, and a shade tree with hanging seats. Check out their no-cover-charge pumpkin patch in the fall.
We recommend: The Gorge Glacier, an apple cider float with caramel and whipped cream.
What they grow: Strawberries, herbs, pears, apples, cherries pumpkins, and a salsa garden with peppers, cilantro, and onions.
2. The Gorge White House Fruit Stand & Winery: Your One Stop Shop
If you have a young child and can only sustain cheerfulness for one farm visit, go to The Gorge White House. Not only is it a u-pick farm with one of the most comprehensive selections on the loop, it’s also a kid-friendly winery and distillery that doesn’t require a reservation or a dress code. Drink the best pear cider of your life or a glass of pinot while your kids play in the grass. One thing I find very surprising about the Fruit Loop is how hard it is to find a farm stand that serves lunch — my kids can eat a lot of fruit, but I need a sandwich or something to soak up all that wine and cider. The Gorge White House has a fresh food cart serving burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and kid-friendly fare such as grilled cheese and quesadillas. This is only the second stop on the loop, but be sure to eat lunch — it will be hard to find it later. Friendly dogs on leash are allowed, but not in the u-pick areas.
We recommend: A cider or wine flight
What they grow: Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, nectarines, pluots, pears, apples, flowers
3. Mt Hood Winery: Sophistication for the Whole Fam
Mt. Hood Winery has stunning double mountain views in their peaceful setting — which is why you’ll be surprised to learn they allow children and do not require reservations. Children aren’t allowed within 10 feet of the bar of course, but there is plenty of room in the tasting room and on the patio. Friendly dogs on leash are also welcome. Because this stop is right after The Gorge White House, my family usually skips it. (We can only drink so much wine.) It’s on our bucket list for sure, though.
We recommend: They’re known for their award winning wines, including estate grown Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Riesling
4. The Fruit Company: Iconic Gift Baskets
My first “taste” of Oregon was a gift basket from The Fruit Company, and I was hooked. Everything in The Fruit Company store is a winner, and I highly recommend signing up for an orchard tour, factory experience, or — if you’re willing to splurge — a railbike adventure or themed train ride. Please note the store is only open Wednesday-Saturday.
We recommend: A fruit basket, obviously, but if you’re looking for something small, their chocolate covered cherries are to die for.
What they grow: A wide variety of fruits. No u-pick.
5. Hope Ranch Lavender: Social Media Gold
If you want an Insta-worthy photo in the lavender fields, Hope Ranch is the place to be. Enjoy double mountain views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.
We recommend: Hope Ranch creates all of the products sold on the farm at the farm. I have my eye on the cocktail infusion kit and lavender rosemary sea salt.
What they grow: U-cut lavender and other flowers
6. Packer Orchards & Farm Place: Agritourism at its Best
Packer Orchards is more than a place to pick fruit — you’ll find seasonal events such as the corn maze, sunflower maze, Easter egg hunt, butterfly releases, and more. There are plenty of play areas to enjoy and animals to meet, as well. Packer sells their famous jams and baked goods at both of their locations, but I’d wait to purchase your peach empanada at the Packer Orchards Bakery (stop #13), fresh from the oven.
We recommend: The sunflower maze! There are hidden photo ops throughout that are truly a treat to find (fancy a red piano, anyone?)
What they grow: Cherries, peaches, plums, apples, pumpkins
7. Smiley’s Red Barn: Unassuming yet Exceptional
This no-frills operation sells some incredible fruit. I asked for a recommendation and left with the most complex flavor I’ve ever tasted in an apple. Go for the nostalgic vibe, stay for the quality fruits and jams.
We recommend: Ginger gold apples
What they grow: Cherries, pears, apples, peaches, and more
8. Fox-Tail Cider & Distillery: From Tree to Bottle
Just across the parking lot from Smiley’s, you’ll find Fox-Tail Cider & Distillery, a family-friendly establishment, where pets are welcome on the patio. This is another stop on the Fruit Loop where you can order a meal, including sandwiches, chicken wings, and options for kids. The ciders are made exclusively from PNW-grown apples, pears, and cherries.
We recommend: Flight of 5 or 10 ciders
What they grow: Cherries, pears, apples, peaches, and more
9. Wy’East Vineyards: Where Rosé Meets Alpacas
If you’re ready for another wine tasting at this point, sipping a glass of pinot gris while watching the alpaca herd doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend the afternoon. There’s a food cart onsite with sandwiches and charcuterie, plus bocce ball courts are available. No reservations are necessary, and children are welcome.
We recommend: They’re known for their estate grown pinot noir.
10. Pear Bloom Farm: Step into a Storybook
I’ll get to the pears, but I have to say I’ve never seen a more beautiful u-cut flower patch than the one at Pear Bloom Farm. Follow the inspirational quotes to the secret garden and be prepared to live your Mary Lennox dreams. The pear trees are short enough for children to reach, and the fruit is absolutely delicious. Don’t miss their Día de los Muertos celebration in the fall.
We recommend: Everything at Pear Bloom is artfully done. You can’t go wrong with any purchase, fruit or flower or gift.
What they grow: Heirloom pears and apples, u-cut flowers
11. Hood River Lavender: For Visitors with a Sweet Tooth
There are four lavender farms on the Hood River Fruit Loop, and my daughter always wants to go to “the one with soft serve.” Hood River Lavender Farms is a lovely stop with a spectacular view from the back porch. Dogs are allowed on leash, but must stay on the grass.
We recommend: The honey-lavender-lemon-lavender swirl soft serve.
What they grow: Organic lavender
12. Stave & Stone Winery at the Vineyard: Great Date Night
At Stave & Stone, families are welcome in the wine garden May-October, but you must be 21 to enter the tasting room. The view here is stunning, but since there are even more kid-friendly wineries on the list, we recommend saving this one for date night. Also, while you don’t have to have a reservation for the wine garden, reservations are strongly recommended for the tasting room, and it can be tricky to know exactly when you’ll reach this stop on the loop.
We recommend: Plan your visit around one of their live music events.
13. Packer Orchards & Bakery: Eat Pastries Straight from the Oven
The Farm Place is where all the events happen, but if you’d like to get their bakery goods sweetened with farm fresh pears straight from the source, you can eat a still-warm empanada fresh from the Packer Orchards Bakery ovens.
We recommend: Peach empanadas, jalapeño cream cheese pastries, and lemon cookies.
What they grow: Cherries, peaches, plums, apples, pumpkins
14. Draper Girls Country Farm & U-Pick Orchards: Best Photo Op
If you’ve seen a post about the Hood River Fruit Loop on Instagram, chances are you’ve seen the iconic swing at Draper Girls Country Farm. Paying customers have access to their picturesque garden, and it costs $5 to feed their family of goats. The rules are a bit stricter at Draper Girls than other farms. For example, there’s a minimum purchase of around $45 for u-pick apples (they are priced by the bucket, not the pound). As we are usually visiting multiple stops on the loop, that’s a little pricey for us, so we usually purchase pre-picked fruit in the store. If you’re canning and making pies their largest u-pick bucket is a great deal, especially at peak apple season, but if you’re more of a casual apple picker, keep in mind that this will be one of the most expensive stops for you.
We recommend: Take a turn on the large-enough-for-two swing, and feed the resident goats.
What they grow: Everything! Draper Girls grows strawberries, cherries, lavender, flowers, blueberries, peaches, plums, nectarines, pluots, pluerries, raspberries, blackberries, pears, apples, and pumpkins.
15. Draper Girls Cider Company
Located within the Draper Girls Farm Stand is their award-winning cider company. Enjoy both their famous hard cider and nonalcoholic options. Don’t miss their seasonally flavored hard cider slushees!
We recommend: Plan your visit around their annual cider festival, when samples abound.
16. Glacier View Lavender: Veteran-Owned, Alpaca-Approved
If you missed the alpacas at Wy’East, no worries! You can meet the herd at Glacier View Lavender instead. This veteran-owned farm features nine cultivars of lavender, creating an ombre effect across the field.
We recommend: Their wildflower and lavender bath bombs are a work of art and make great gifts.
What they grow: Varieties of lavender
17. Kiyokawa Family Orchards: A Sure Thing
One word: samples. I don’t pretend to be a fruit variety expert; there are just too many. This means my favorite farm stands are the ones that let you taste before you purchase, and no one does this better than Kiyokawa. This third-generation family farm founded by a husband and wife team who met in a Japanese internment camp, boasts an extremely large selection of truly incredible apples and pears — their u-pick orchard is the largest in the valley. The prices in the stand are the same as u-pick, so if you’re kids are completely done by stop 17, you won’t lose money by skipping u-pick and shopping the market.
We recommend: It’s hard to pick a favorite, but their Asian pears are divine. Try to plan your visit around one of their seasonal events, including live music and tastings.
What they grow: Over 150 distinct varieties of apples, pears, Asian pears, cherries and stone fruit
18. Mt. View Orchards & Brewery: Because Dogs Love Orchards, Too
Mt. View Orchards allows dogs, has a playground, and the seasonal sunflower field is free to explore. Need we say more? Please note, beloved Carlos the Steer has passed.
We recommend: Head to the farm in September and October when they serve fresh apple cider donuts.
What they grow: Cherries, flowers, blueberries, peaches, plums, nectarines, pluots, pluerries, pears, apples, pumpkins.
19. Grateful Vineyards: Worth Planning Ahead
Located at Mt. View Orchards, Grateful Vineyards serves incredible pizza and craft beers, wines, and ciders, but if you’re visiting on a weekend and you don’t make a reservation, you likely won’t get a seat. It’s worth the puzzling and rushing to make a reservation here — there’s a spectacular view, and your dog can sit at your feet while you enjoy a perfect glass of bubbly, and share a wood-fired pizza with the fam. Be sure to mark “outside” on your reservation. If you can’t get a reservation, you may pack a picnic for the grassy meadow and purchase any of their libations in the Grateful Gardens outdoor tent.
We recommend: Visit on one of Grateful’s Summer Rock in the Vines live music Sundays. Grateful Vineyard’s specialty is high elevation sparkling wine, but everything is excellent.
20. Montavons Berries: Pet-Sitting with Your U-Pick Experience
Montavons Berries is the only farm on the loop, to my knowledge, that is willing to dog-sit while you pick berries. They have small kennels, tie-outs, and fresh water for your pup. Harvest is late-June to mid-August, so if you want to visit this local farm, you’ll want to plan to drive the loop in July.
We recommend: Because they hyper-specialize, their berries are rumored to be some of the sweetest around.
What they grow: Blueberries, cherries, raspberries
21. Van Gogh Lavender Farm: Peaceful Oasis
If you’re interested in growing your own lavender, Van Gogh Lavender Farm is a great place to learn. This peaceful farm’s soothing scent is a lovely break from all the harvesting work you’ve been doing on the loop.
We recommend: If your baby is going to need a nap in the carrier, this isn’t a bad spot for it.
What they grow: Multiple varieties of lavender
22. Browning Blueberries: Singular Focus
When a farm sells only one crop, you can bet it’s going to be spectacular. There’s no website or social media account for Browning Blueberries, so you’ll just have to stop by and see what varieties are growing.
We recommend: Visit in July for the best chance at blueberries.
What they grow: Blueberries.
23. The Old Trunk, Treats, &tiques: Laughs on the Loop
If you have young kids, you can skip this stop. If you have teens, they might enjoying perusing some of the eclectic wares at this antique shop that has been keeping Hood River weird since the early 1900s. You can u-pick berries or flowers in season, or purchase a coffee, milkshake, or soda at their soda fountain.
We recommend: Stop for the vinyl, vintage clothing, and other wares. Skip the sodas.
What they grow: Organic marionberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
24. Apple Valley Country Store & Bakery: Rural Charm, Exceptional Bakes
Step back in time and pretend you’re Anne of Green Gables at Apple Valley Country Store. Every time we camp at Tucker Park Campground, a stop here is a must. If you plan to only visit one bakery on the loop, this is the one to choose. They have fewer options than Packer, but you’ll love whatever they’re serving.
We recommend: Every time I go, I beg the fruit gods for pear dumplings. You will not regret ordering them, if you’re lucky enough to visit on a day they’re being served. Either way, pick up whatever fresh fruit they are selling — it’s sure to be spectacular. My husband and children love the huckleberry milkshakes.
25. Hood Crest Winery & Distillery: Dinner with a View
I haven’t been to Hood Crest Winery yet, but it’s next on my bucket list for the casual atmosphere, wood fired pizza, and live music. Children and dogs are welcome outside on the patio or lawn. The limited pizza menu is available for wine and spirit patrons. Reservations are strongly recommended.
We recommend: If you’ve spent all day on the loop, this could be a great spot to end your trip.
26. Hood River U-Pick Organic: Picnic and a Petting Zoo
Picnics are welcome at this organic farm, which is an affordable way to end the day if you’ve spent all your budget on fruit. As they only sell two crops, you’ll have to plan your trip during cherry or apple season if you want to enjoy their mountain view.
We recommend: The petting zoo! Kids love the goats and pigs.
What they grow: Cherries and apples. U-pick veggies may also be available.
27. Sunshine & Soil Farms: Self-Serve, No Contact
For the most introvert-friendly experience on the loop, stop by the Sunshine & Soil Farms self-serve farm stand. Shop the day’s harvest and pay via Venmo or cash. There’s limited parking, but the stand is small, so turnover is pretty quick.
We recommend: Their fresh flowers are absolutely gorgeous.
What they grow: A wide variety of flowers, fruit, and vegetables; no u-pick.
28. Marchesi Vineyards & Winery: Step into Italy
I’m obsessed with this first come, first served Italian winery. Kids are welcome, though the vibe is very chill, so I would only bring kids who can sit quietly for an hour. You are welcome to bring your own picnic food or order one of their excellent charcuterie boards. Dogs are welcome on the patio, but there is a resident cat, so your pup will need to be able to resist temptation. We had no trouble getting a seat on a Sunday at 5 pm.
We recommend: Try to get a seat on the edge of the vineyard. The grapes are close enough to touch (but make sure your kids know not to!), and your seat will feel secluded from the guests around you. We loved all five wines on the tasting menu and took home a bottle of the Il Bianco. Marchesi is known for their Barbera.
29. Cathedral Ridge Winery: Adults Only
Per Cathedral Ridge Winery’s OLCC license rules, all guests must be 21 and over, so you can cross this one off your family-friendly Fruit Loop adventure.
30. Phelps Creek Vineyards: Dinner and a Glass
Phelps Creek Vineyards does allow children (outside and downstairs) and dogs (only outside). They offer a full menu from their Creekside Cafe, and when the cafe is closed they offer charcuterie and fully loaded picnic baskets. Enjoy live music on Thursday and Sunday evenings.
We recommend: Phelps Creek is know for its estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This is another great spot to end the day with dinner before driving back to Portland.
My Ideal Route
As obsessive as I tend to be, I do not feel the urge to visit all thirty farm stands every time I navigate the Hood River Fruit Loop. Here’s my ideal route:
- Early lunch and u-pick at The Gorge White House Fruit Stand & Winery
- Dessert at Apple Valley Country Store & Bakery
- U-pick at Pear Bloom Farm (if your kids are younger than mine, sub Packer Orchards & Farm Place)
- U-pick at Kiyokawa Family Orchards
- Dinner at Grateful Vineyard (make a reservation!)
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