Last year, when my family took a road trip to the Hood River Fruit Loop, we were hooked. In fact, after filling our bags with fresh apples, pears and other fresh goodies, the trip became an instant annual tradition.
For those unfamiliar with the Hood River Fruit Loop, it is a scenic 35-mile route running through the Hood River Valley that includes numerous family farms, orchards, wineries and farm stands. It highlights Oregon’s abundant agriculture while offering amazing views of Mount Hood and the surrounding countryside.
Heading from Bend to Hood River, you’ll find yourself on roughly a three-hour road trip. Although families can easily drive it in a day, I would suggest an overnight stay in Hood River or nearby in the Dalles. There is plenty to do in these towns besides the farm experiences, but I’ll save those details for another article.
The farms along the route offer everything from U-pick cherries, apples, pears and other tasty fruits to petting zoos, fresh cheese and farm tours. Below are some of the many stops for kid-friendly activities along the Oregon Fruit Loop.
Draper Girls Country Farm
A family favorite, Draper Girls offers the chance to feed goats, watch other farm animals and enjoy tasty homemade cider. Fresh fruit like apples, pears and peaches adorn the farm and are ready for the picking. An idyllic tree swing awaits those ready to take a moment to relax and admire the majesty of Mt. Hood. Like some of the other farms we visited, the gift shop was more crowded than the orchards! I guess most visitors were like my daughters – they like to shop! I did pick up a few early stocking stuffers for Christmas on my last visit, so that’s a win!
Packer Orchards & Bakery
Packer is famous for its U-pick cherries, peaches and apples, but also for its onsite bakery. Kids will love their famous giant cookies. They have delicious jams, fruit smoothies and soft-serve ice cream made with their own fresh fruit. During April, they host the Tulip Festival, which is on my bucket list for a future visit!
Kiyokawa Family Orchards
The largest U-pick apple orchard in the valley, this spot boasts over 120 varieties of apples and pears! I was amazed at the incredible range of options with enticing names like Fiesta Red Pippin and Winter Banana. Some of them I wanted to try just because of the name.
Pearl’s Place
Tic Tac Toe with apples, cornhole and other games make this is a great family-friendly farm. You can start with an apple cider tasting to warm the bones on cold mornings, then take the kids on a wagon ride or sit back and admire the beauty of Mount Hood and the surrounding scenery.
Hood River U-Pick Organic
This is a smaller, more relaxed farm with berries, apples and peaches, perfect for younger kids who want an easy picking experience. There are also lots of shady picnic areas for a laid-back break or lunch stop.
Mt. View Orchards
This spot might have it all. Perhaps best known for their fresh cider donuts, they have an onsite vineyard, make their own small craft wine, ciders and beer, and host farm-to-table dinners. The large, open picnic areas are perfect for kids who want to run around. With such an amazing view of Mount Hood in the distance, it’s also a popular setting for weddings. Hot tip – the donuts sell out quickly so get there early!
The Gorge White House
While parents enjoy a glass of cider, kids can sip on fresh-squeezed lemonade and snack on seasonal fruits. In addition to the U-pick fruit, the Gorge also has flower gardens where kids can gather their own sunflowers, dahlias and zinnias.
Speaking of flowers, for a peaceful break from fruit picking, visit one of the flower farms where kids can wander through colorful fields and pick their own bouquets. Hood River Lavender Farms has stunning rows of fragrant lavender, perfect for those Instagram pics and even better
for relaxing walks.
If you decide to wait until autumn to traverse the loop, there still might be fresh fruit to pick, but it’ll be mostly apples. It’s fun to see the Fruit Loop transform into a fall wonderland with pumpkin patches, hayrides and corn mazes. The fiery red, blazing orange and golden leaves among the evergreens are a spectacular sight, as well.
This article appears in Bend Nest Summer 2025.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
