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Hood River Fruit Loop: U-Pick & Farm Stand Guide 2026

June 10, 2026 · 7 min read

The Hood River Fruit Loop is a 35-mile scenic drive through the orchard country of Oregon's Hood River Valley, climbing from the Columbia River Gorge to the base of Mt. Hood and back. Along the way you'll find u-pick orchards, lavender fields, blueberry patches, farm bakeries, cideries, and roadside fruit stands — many of them run by the same families for four or five generations. Here's when to go for each crop, every farm on and around the loop, and the festivals worth planning a trip around in 2026.

What is the Hood River Fruit Loop?

The Fruit Loop is a self-guided driving route that follows Highway 35 and country roads through the Hood River Valley, one of the country's leading pear-growing regions. The loop connects the town of Hood River with the mid-valley farm hub of Odell and the upper-valley community of Parkdale, where orchards sit directly beneath Mt. Hood. There's no gate and no admission — you simply drive the route and stop wherever something looks good. Most stands open between spring and early summer and run into late October or November, and a handful stay open year-round. A short drive east of town, the cherry orchards of Mosier and the farm stands of The Dalles make easy add-ons along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

When to go, crop by crop

The valley's harvest runs roughly June through October, with each crop taking its turn:

  • Cherries (June–July) — The season opener. Sweet cherry varieties ripen in sequence from mid-June through late July, with the Mosier hills east of Hood River especially dense with u-pick cherry orchards.
  • Lavender (June–August) — Several cut-your-own lavender farms bloom from late June, typically peaking around mid-July, with Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams views from the fields.
  • Blueberries and berries (July–August) — Small family blueberry patches across the valley pick from roughly mid-July into August, with raspberries and marionberries at a few farms.
  • Peaches (August) — Tree-ripened peaches and nectarines peak in August at stone-fruit orchards and farm stands across the valley.
  • Pears (August–October)— The valley's signature crop. Bartletts lead in late summer; Anjou, Bosc, and Comice follow into fall.
  • Apples (September–October) — Peak season for the loop, with heirloom and modern varieties at the big upper-valley orchards.
  • Pumpkins (October) — Pumpkin patches, cider, and fall displays round out the season before most stands close after Halloween.

Fruit Loop farms by area

Hood River (lower valley)

The biggest concentration of stops sits just south of town along Highway 35 and the lower-valley back roads — classic fruit stands, u-pick orchards, lavender, and a cluster of small blueberry farms. The Gorge White House and Packer Orchards anchor the highway stretch; several of the smaller berry patches are call-ahead operations without posted hours, so phone before you drive out.

Odell (mid-valley)

The mid-valley farm hub, home to a fifth-generation fruit stand with a cidery tasting room next door and one of the loop's best-known lavender farms.

Parkdale (upper valley)

The upper valley sits right at the base of Mt. Hood, with the loop's biggest u-pick orchards — Kiyokawa Family Orchards grows more than 150 varieties of apples, pears, and stone fruit — alongside lavender farms and small blueberry patches.

Mosier (cherry country, east of Hood River)

A short drive east along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the Mosier hills are the Gorge's u-pick cherry hotspot in June and July — several orchards charge around $2.50 per pound, and most ask you to bring your own containers. Note that Analemma's cherry u-pick is off for 2026 after a late frost; its June weekend lavender picking runs paired with a tasting or food reservation.

The Dalles

Continue east for a year-round century-farm stand in the Mill Creek Valley and a working organic lavender farm with Thursday–Saturday morning u-pick.

Fruit Loop festivals in 2026

The valley's headline event is the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, a 40-plus-year tradition on the Hood River waterfront celebrating the apple and pear harvest with farm-fresh produce, crafts, and live music — October 9–11, 2026.

In summer, the Lavender Daze Festival at Hood River Lavender Farms in Odell typically runs across July weekends, with live music, artisan booths, lavender ice cream, and cut-your-own bouquets under Mt. Hood views — check the official page for this year's dates. And in fall, Draper Girls All Things Fall in Parkdale is a season-long celebration that typically spans September and October, with u-pick apples and pears, hundreds of pumpkins, mini goats, and the farm's own cider — confirm dates on the farm's page before you go.

Tips for driving the loop

  • Start early. Summer and fall weekends get busy, especially at the big-name stops — morning visits mean cooler picking, better parking, and the best selection at the stands.
  • Check what's ripe before you drive. U-pick availability shifts day to day with ripeness and weather. Most farms post harvest updates on their websites or social pages, and several of the smaller patches are call-ahead only.
  • Bring cash in small bills.Many stands are cash-friendly, and a few — like the honor-system Wilinda Blueberry Patch and the self-serve Sunshine & Soil stand — run on cash or app payments with no attendant.
  • Bring your own containers. Several u-pick orchards, especially the Mosier cherry farms and Kiyokawa, ask you to bring bags, boxes, or buckets.
  • Mind each farm's pet policy. Rules vary widely — some orchards welcome leashed dogs, others ask you to leave pets at home. Check before loading the dog in the car.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Hood River Fruit Loop take?

The drive itself is about an hour without stops, but nobody does it that way. Plan a half day for a handful of stops, or a full day if you want to u-pick, eat at a farm bakery, and linger at a tasting room. Many visitors pick four to six stops rather than trying to hit everything.

Is the Fruit Loop free?

Yes — it's a self-guided public driving route with no admission. You pay only for what you pick or buy. A few individual farms charge a small entry or day-pass fee for u-pick fields (Pear Bloom Farm, for example, charges an $8 day pass), and tour experiences like The Fruit Company's orchard tram are ticketed.

What's the best month to visit the Fruit Loop?

It depends on what you want to pick. July is the sweet spot for variety — cherries, lavender, and the first blueberries all overlap. October is the classic fall trip, with apples, pears, pumpkins, and the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest on October 9–11, 2026.

Are dogs allowed on the Fruit Loop?

Policies vary farm by farm. Kiyokawa Family Orchards welcomes leashed dogs in the orchard, while farms like Rosedale Fruit Farm ask you to leave pets at home, and The Fruit Company's tours don't allow pets. Check each farm's page or call before bringing your dog.

Do I need reservations for the Fruit Loop?

Mostly no — farm stands and u-pick fields are walk-in during posted hours. The exceptions: The Fruit Company's orchard tram and factory tours should be booked online in advance, Analemma's lavender picking pairs with a tasting or food reservation, and small call-ahead farms should get a phone call before you make the drive.