Quick answer: Yes, the Hood River Fruit Loop is a great day trip with kids. It is a 35-mile self-guided drive past 32 farm stands, orchards, wineries, cideries and flower fields, about 75 minutes from Lake Oswego. Pick 3 or 4 stops, not all 32. Start early, eat lunch at the second or third stop, and let the kids pick something (an apple, a pumpkin, a donut) at every place you visit.

What is the Hood River Fruit Loop?

The Hood River Fruit Loop is a 35-mile scenic loop through the Hood River Valley with 32 member farm stands, wineries, breweries, cideries and flower fields. The valley has grown fruit since the first trees were planted in 1855, and today about 14,500 acres of pears, apples and cherries cover it. There is no ticket and no tour. You drive from stop to stop on your own schedule.

How far is the Hood River Fruit Loop from Portland?

From Lake Oswego it is about 74 miles and roughly 75 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Most families from the Portland area do it as a day trip. The loop itself is on the back roads south of the town of Hood River, and Highway 35 is part of it.

How long does the Fruit Loop take with kids?

Plan on one day. The official Fruit Loop site says the average trip is one day, and that you can do it in a morning or stretch it to two days. With kids, three or four stops with real time at each beats ten quick stops. A good rhythm is one big stop in the morning, lunch, one or two more stops, and a treat on the way out.

When is the best time to go with kids?

Anywhere from June to October works. What changes is the fruit:

• Spring (late March to May): tree blossoms. The Fruit Loop says blossoms usually peak toward the end of March and run through May, depending on weather.
• Summer: strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches and lavender. Montavons Berries is a berry-picking stop, but its harvest runs only late June to mid August.
• Fall (September and October): apples, pears, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and cider. This is the easiest season for little kids because the fruit is low and the farms run family events.

Call or check each farm’s social media before you go. Fruit availability changes fast, and each stand sets its own hours.

What are the best Hood River Fruit Loop stops for kids?

These are the stops that stand out for families. Hours and prices change by season, so confirm before you leave.

Pearl’s Place Fruit Stand. Short trees that small hands can reach, a play structure, a big family swing, picnic tables and ice cream. It has a pumpkin patch in the fall with no cover charge. Try the Gorge Glacier: apple cider, vanilla soft serve, caramel and whipped cream.

The Gorge White House. If you only have the patience for one farm, this is the one. It has u-pick, a cider and wine tasting area where kids can play on the grass, and a food cart with burgers, flatbreads, grilled cheese and quesadillas. Lunch options are hard to find on the rest of the loop, so eat here.

Packer Orchards Farm Place. The fall destination: pumpkin patch, corn maze, activity field, seasonal games and a farm store, with apple cider donuts and pies from the Pear-Fect Kitchen. Fall Festival runs September and October and tickets are sold online. Note that the Farm Place posts regular hours of 10 am to 6 pm and is closed Tuesdays. Packer also has a separate bakery location on Highway 35 where the peach empanadas come out warm.

Draper Girls Country Farm. The mini goats and the big photo swing. U-pick apples and pears run through the fall and the farm is open for All Things Fall through October. Good to know: u-pick is priced by the bucket (small, medium, large) rather than by the pound, you need to buy a bucket to enter the orchard, closed-toe shoes are required, and dogs are not allowed. If the kids are fading, buy picked fruit in the country store instead.

Kiyokawa Family Orchards. Known for samples, so kids can taste before you buy. It has more than 150 varieties of apples, pears and stone fruit, and the largest u-pick orchard in the valley. Store prices match u-pick, so you lose nothing by skipping the orchard with tired kids. They also host seasonal events like live music and hay wagon rides.

Mt. View Orchards. A playground, free flower fields to explore, and dogs are welcome. In September and October, look for fresh apple cider donuts. Grateful Vineyards is on the same property with wood-fired pizza, but reserve ahead on weekends and pick outside seating.

Pear Bloom Farm. A storybook u-cut flower garden and pear trees short enough for kids. It charges admission ($8 per person, free under 5, per PDX Parent’s September 2026 guide), so check the current price first.

Hood River Lavender. Worth it in lavender season for the view and the soft serve.

Which stops should we skip with young kids?

Skip the stops that are mostly about adult tastings and gift shopping. Stave & Stone’s tasting room is 21 and over (the wine garden allows families), and Mt. Hood Winery does not allow children within 10 feet of the bar. The Fruit Company is fun for gift baskets, but its railbike rides are 16 and older. Save those for a date day.

Are the wineries and cideries kid-friendly?

Many are. The Gorge White House, Mt. Hood Winery, Wy’East Vineyards and Fox-Tail Cider all allow children and do not require a reservation, according to PDX Parent. Each farm sets its own rules, so check before you commit to a long stop.

Can we bring our dog?

It depends on the stop. Each farm decides. Many working farms keep pets in the car. Mt. View Orchards and Fox-Tail’s patio welcome dogs; Draper Girls does not.

What should we pack for the Fruit Loop with kids?

• Closed-toe shoes and layers (Draper Girls u-pick is open rain or shine)
• Wipes, a change of clothes for the car and a trash bag for sticky fruit
• A cooler for fruit and cider
• A picnic blanket, since some stops have grassy areas and picnic tables
• Cash or a card for small purchases, and a plan for how many “yes, you can pick one” moments each kid gets
• Bee awareness: bees are in the orchards, so bring your usual sting supplies

A simple one-day plan with kids

1. Leave Portland early so you arrive by about 10 am.
2. First stop: Pearl’s Place or Packer Farm Place for the pumpkin patch, play areas and a treat.
3. Lunch at The Gorge White House. Let the kids play while you eat.
4. Afternoon: Draper Girls or Kiyokawa for goats, apples and samples.
5. Last stop: the Packer bakery or Mt. View Orchards for a warm pastry or a cider donut for the ride home.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Hood River Fruit Loop free? Driving the loop is free. Many farm stands are free to enter, but some charge for u-pick, admission or events, so check each stop.

Do you need reservations? Not for most farm stands. Reservations are strongly recommended at Grateful Vineyards on weekends and for the Stave & Stone tasting room.

What age is the Fruit Loop good for? All ages. Toddlers do best with one or two stops with play areas; older kids enjoy mazes, goats and u-pick.

Is Highway 35 open year round? Yes, weather permitting. In winter, check ODOT TripCheck before you go.

Where can I get a map? Printed Fruit Loop maps are available at the farm stands, and the official site hoodriverfruitloop.com has a map and stand list.

Planning a weekend in the Gorge? A note from a local

If you love the Gorge and the Portland-area family life that goes with it, I’m always happy to talk about what it’s like to live here, from Lake Oswego to Mt. Hood. Reach out any time, whether you’re buying, selling or just daydreaming.

Hours, prices and events change by season. Confirm with each farm or at hoodriverfruitloop.com before you go.