6 of the Best Hikes Near Hood River
Hood River is a great place to visit on the Columbia River Gorge. At only an hour from Portland, it is a great place to visit for a day or a weekend and have easy access to the many hikes nearby. There are countless hikes near Hood River, with both the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood National Forest nearby.
Below are six of the best hikes near Hood River, ranging from easy to difficult with views of mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. You will be sure to enjoy these magnificent trails showing off Oregon’s beauty.
Tom McCall Point
- Length: 4.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,309 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Views: 5/5
- Popularity: Very popular during wildflower season, light to moderate rest of year
- Time to Hike: approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
- Open: This trail is open as of 2021
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
- Distance From Hood River: 14 miles
- Trailhead Location: Rowena Crest Viewpoint
Starting this list is one of the closer hikes to Hood River, Tom McCall Point. Tom McCall Point trailhead begins on the Rowena Plateau near Rowena Crest Viewpoint in Mayer State Park. This viewpoint overlooks the Columbia River Gorge and is a magnificent spot to watch the sunrise near Hood River.
The parking for the Tom McCall Point Trail is in the same area as the viewpoint. This hike has magnificent views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams. In the Spring, balsamroot and lupine bloom and cover the hill in a super bloom of yellow and purple flowers. Tom McCall Point gradually ascends with increasingly beautiful views of the gorge and mountains. It is not a very difficult trail but look out for rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak.
Wahclella Falls Hike
- Length: 1.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 223 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Views: 5/5
- Popularity: Very popular in summer, moderate rest of year
- Time to Hike: approximately 1 hour
- Open: This trail is open as of 2021
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
- Distance From Hood River: 23 miles
- Trailhead Location: Exit 40 on I-84
Wahclella Falls has to be one of the best waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. 25 minutes from Hood River, this is a great day hike for the whole family. You will hike through a canyon along Tanner Creek and over several footbridges on the way to the waterfall. During the rainy season, several other waterfalls pour into this canyon from impressive heights. Wahclella Falls itself is an impressive 2 tiered waterfall that thunders through a crevis into a pool at the end of the hike.
Coyote Wall Loop Trail
- Length: 6.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,624 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Views: 4/5
- Popularity: Moderate
- Time to Hike: approximately 4 hours
- Open: This trail is open as of 2021
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
- Distance From Hood River: 8 miles
- Trailhead Location: Off WA-14 by White Salmon, Washington
Coyote Wall Loop is a longer hike on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. This hike is mere miles from Hood River. You will have to cross the Hood River Bridge, but it is only a $2 fee per crossing for a passenger car. This trail has several intersecting paths that you can choose to lengthen or shorten your hike. Watch out for the mountain bikes that also share this trail. It is extra important to leash your dog on this trail as it is a bird nesting area part of the year.
Latourell Falls Hike
- Length: 3.0 miles
- Elevation Gain: 728 feet
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Views: 4/5
- Popularity: Medium to Very Popular
- Time to Hike: approximately 1 hour 45 min
- Open: This trail is open as of 2021
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
- Distance From Hood River: 38 miles
- Trailhead Location: Off Historic Columbia River Highway in Guy W. Talbot State Park
Latourell Falls Trail is slightly further from Hood River, but still easy to do get to for a day hike. This trail actually leads to two waterfalls, making it one of the best hikes near Hood River. Lower Latourell Falls is only a quarter of a mile from the trailhead and has a paved trail. This is an amazing 249 foot tall, single-drop waterfall and the third tallest waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. Continue past the Lower Falls to reach two-tiered Upper Latourell Falls 1.8 miles into the loop.
Lolo Pass Trail
- Length: 6.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,489 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Views: 4/5
- Popularity: Popular
- Time to Hike: approximately 3 hours 45 minutes
- Open: This trail is open as of 2021
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
- Distance From Hood River: 29 miles
- Trailhead Location: Off Lolo Pass Road
For an amazing view of Mount Hood, drive along Lolo Pass Road to Lolo Pass Trail that circles Bald Mountain. This trail is mostly through the forest, but the view of Mount Hood at the end makes it all worth it. This is one of the best views of Mount Hood near Hood River. The Timberline Trail overlaps with part of this hike, so be prepared to fill out the free trailhead permit.
Beacon Rock Trailhead
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 574 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Views: 4/5
- Popularity: Very popular
- Time to Hike: approximately 1 hour
- Open: This trail is open as of 2021
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
- Distance From Hood River: 27 miles
- Trailhead Location: Beacon Rock State Park- off WA-14
Beacon Rock Trail is a hike up the core of an ancient volcano. The majority of this trail takes place on a series of boardwalks leading up the rock. There are safety rails on the boardwalks, but young kids should still be watched on this trail. The fun trail alone makes this hike worth it, and will lead you to the top of the rock, with great views down the Columbia River Gorge.
Tips for Hiking Near Hood River
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- Know if you need a pass or parking fee at the trailhead for hikes near Hood River. Many Oregon hikes require the Northwest Forest Pass, also covered under the America the Beautiful Pass. Some Washington trailheads require the Discovery Pass.
- Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge are best to visit in Fall and Spring for the best waterfalls. In summer, many waterfalls will be down to a trickle. However, Summer is the best weather in Oregon.
- In the rainy season, prepare for mud and wear waterproof hiking boots and bring a rain jacket, especially if you are visiting in Fall or Spring as mentioned above.
- As always when hiking, Leave No Trace! Protect these natural places for other visitors to continue enjoying and pack out what you bring in, stay on the trail, and respect the wildlife.
Where to Stay Near Hood River
Camping Near Hood River
- Beacon Rock State Park
- Home Valley Campground
- Timberlake Campground & RV Park
- Memaloose State Park
- Ainsworth State Park
Hotels Near Hood River
Airbnbs Near Hood River
- Cottage Near Hood River
- Cabin Style Guest House
- Tiny House in White Salmon
- Bungalow Near Downtown Hood River
Explore More in Oregon
- Hiking and Camping in Silver Falls State Park
- Best Things To Do on the Oregon Coast
- Hiking Rowena Plateau
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