I started coming to Hood River for the wind. That’s still why I come back every summer. But after four years of spending June through September here with my wife and three kids, I’ve learned that the wind is just part of it.
The rhythm we’ve fallen into works like this: mornings are for hiking or getting the kids out of the house before it gets too hot. Afternoons are for wind—wing foiling, kite foiling, parawinging, whatever’s working that day. Evenings are for food, breweries, wine, and trying to get the kids to bed before sunset so my wife and I can actually have a conversation.
Hood River makes this easier than anywhere else I’ve been. Everything’s close. The wind blows almost every afternoon in July and August. The trails are 15 minutes away. The breweries are walkable. And the kids are happy, which means we’re happy.
This guide covers everything we actually do here—the places we go, the spots the kids love, the hikes my wife and I do before the wind picks up, and the breweries and wineries we hit after sessions. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s real.
The Wind (Obviously)
I’m not going to pretend the wind isn’t the main thing. It is. I wing foil, kite foil, parawing, and I’ve been kiteboarding for about a year and a half. My wife doesn’t do any of it, but she’s fine with me disappearing for three hours every afternoon as long as I’m present in the mornings and evenings.
The wind usually picks up between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and blows until 6 p.m. or later. July and August are the most consistent. September is smoother and less crowded. June is hit or miss but still good.
I ride at the Event Site for warm-ups, Waterfront Park when I want quick access, the Hatchery when the swell is good, and Swell City when I’m feeling ambitious (which isn’t often). The Viento to Event Site downwinder is on my list, but I haven’t done it yet.
If you’re here for wind, you already know all this. If you’re not, just know that from June to September, the afternoons belong to the wind people, and the town is built around it.
Family-Friendly Stuff (The Things Our Kids Actually Like)
Our kids are 7, 5, and 5. They’re not riding yet, and honestly, they don’t care about the wind at all. But they love Hood River, and these are the places we go when we’re not on the water.
Waterfront Park
5 minutes from Windhouse
We’re here constantly. The kids swim in the shallow water, build sand castles, run around the playground, and watch the kiters and wingers fly by. My wife and I can sit on the grass with coffee or a cider and actually relax for a minute.
It’s the easiest, most reliable spot for keeping the kids happy. If you have kids and you’re visiting Hood River, you’ll end up here.
The Hood River Fruit Loop
15-25 minutes
This is a loop of farms, orchards, and fruit stands with Mt. Hood in the background. The kids pick cherries or blueberries, eat ice cream, see farm animals, and run around fields. My wife loves it because it’s scenic and low-key. I love it because it kills two hours and tires them out.
We usually hit Packer Orchards, Draper Girls, or Kiyokawa Family Orchards. Pearl’s Place has great ice cream and the kids ask to go back every time.
Lost Lake
35 minutes
Lost Lake is an easy, flat loop around a lake with Mt. Hood reflected in the water. The kids skip rocks, we rent kayaks or paddleboards, and everyone’s happy. It’s perfect for calm mornings before the wind picks up.
It’s only open late spring through mid-fall, so check before you go.
Punchbowl Falls Swimming Area
15 minutes
This is a mellow river spot where the kids can splash around and cool off. It’s not the big Punchbowl Falls in Eagle Creek—this one’s calm and swimmable. Great for hot afternoons when you’re not on the water.
Cascade Locks Marine Park
23 minutes
The kids like watching boats, looking for fish, and running around the grassy areas. There’s also Thunder Island Brewing nearby with outdoor seating, which makes it easy to grab lunch after.
The History Museum of Hood River County
5 minutes
This is our backup plan for hot days or when the air quality’s bad from wildfires. It’s small, but the kids can look around for an hour and we’re not melting outside.
Hiking (Mornings Before the Wind Picks Up)
My wife and I hike most mornings before the wind starts. Sometimes we bring the kids, sometimes we don’t. Here are the ones we actually do.
Tamanawas Falls
22 minutes | Easy to moderate | 3.8 miles
This is our go-to family hike. Shaded the whole way, ends at a massive waterfall, and the kids can get close to the water and feel the mist. It’s manageable for our 7-year-old, and the 5-year-olds can do it with snack breaks.
Parking fills up early on weekends, so we go in the morning.
Rowena Plateau
15 minutes | Easy | 2 miles
This is the easiest hike near town. The kids can handle it, the wildflowers in spring are incredible, and the views are great. We do this one when we just need to get outside for an hour before I head to the water.
Tom McCall Point
15 minutes | Moderate | 3-4 miles
Tom McCall is the steeper version of Rowena. My wife and I do this one on mornings when the kids are occupied and we want something with elevation. The views from the top are unreal, especially at sunset.
It’s hot and exposed in summer, so early morning is better.
Lost Lake Loop
35 minutes | Easy | 3.2 miles
Flat, shaded, and the kids love it. We’ve done this one after a morning session and it works perfectly—low effort, high reward.
Dog Mountain
35-40 minutes | Hard | 6.5 miles
Dog Mountain is brutal. Steep, relentless climbing, and not something we do with the kids. My wife and I did it once in May when the wildflowers were out, and it was worth it. But it’s a serious hike—bring trekking poles.
You need a permit on spring weekends.
Falls Creek Falls
45-50 minutes | Easy to moderate | 3.4 miles
This is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Gorge. The kids can handle it with breaks, and the upper viewpoint is incredible. We’ve done this one a few times and it’s always a hit.
Mountain Biking (What I Do on No-Wind Days)
I mountain bike when the wind’s not blowing. I’ve been riding for a few years, and I’m still not great at it—especially uphill. But Post Canyon is 10 minutes away, and it’s too good not to ride.
I stick to the intermediate trails at Post Canyon—Seven Streams, Bad Motor Scooter, Kleeway, and Dirt Surfer. On ambitious days, I’ll hit Whoopdee or Syncline. On flat mornings when I need to do something, a quick loop at Post Canyon is perfect.
If you’re visiting and want to ride, Post Canyon is the place to start. If you hate climbing as much as I do, rent an e-bike. Half the people out there are on e-bikes anyway.
Date Nights (When the Kids Are Asleep)
My wife loves wine, good food, and places with views. I love beer and food. Hood River has both.
pFriem Family Brewers
River views, great beer, and solid food. This is our number one spot for date night.
Stave & Stone Winery
My wife loves their Sauvignon Blancs and Cabs. I like the charcuterie and the views. We go to the downtown tasting room or the vineyard depending on the vibe.
Ferment Brewing
Clean lagers, small plates, and perfect river views. We go here after I’ve had a long session and want something chill.
Solstice Wood Fire Pizza
We grab a bottle of wine, sit outside, and eat pizza. Simple, good, and it works.
Celilo
This is the polished, farm-to-table option. We save it for special nights or when we want something a little nicer.
Marchesi Vineyards
Italian-style wines and an amazing patio. My wife’s favorite winery in Hood River.
Breweries and Wineries
I like IPAs. My wife likes wine. Hood River does both.
Breweries I go to:
- pFriem (IPAs, lagers, views)
- Double Mountain (pizza and IPAs)
- Ferment (crisp lagers, great food)
- Full Sail (iconic Gorge brewery)
Wineries my wife likes:
- Stave & Stone
- Marchesi
- Wy’East
- Hawkins Cellars (underrated, amazing views)
- Mt. Hood Winery
Swimming and Lakes (Non-Wind Days)
On flat days or when it’s too hot to hike, we hit the lakes.
Best spots:
- Waterfront Park (kids love it)
- Lost Lake (family favorite)
- Koberg Beach (quiet)
- Tucker Park (chill river spot)
- The Hook (mellow, non-windy mornings)
Lakes within an hour:
- Lost Lake
- Trillium Lake
- Laurence Lake
- Kingsley Reservoir
A Typical Summer Day
Here’s how a good day usually goes:
7:00 a.m. – Kids wake up, coffee at Stoked or Dog River Coffee
8:00 a.m. – Quick hike with my wife (Tom McCall, Rowena, or Tamanawas)
11:00 a.m. – Kids to Waterfront Park for swimming and playground
12:30 p.m. – Lunch (pFriem, Solstice, or food trucks)
1:30 p.m. – I rig and launch at Waterfront Park or the Event Site
2:00-5:00 p.m. – Wing foil or kite session
5:15 p.m. – Post-session beer somewhere with a view
6:30 p.m. – Family dinner
8:00 p.m. – Sunset walk or drive
9:00 p.m. – Kids crash, my wife and I have wine or dessert
It’s the right balance—wind, kids, hiking, food, and actually enjoying the place instead of just surviving it.
Why Windhouse Works for Summer
Windhouse is 4 minutes from the Event Site and Waterfront Park, 10 minutes from the Hatchery, 15 minutes from Post Canyon, and walkable to breweries and coffee. The kids can bike around, we can rinse gear, and we’re close enough to everything that we’re not spending half our day driving.
It’s the right setup for splitting time between wind, family, hiking, and food without burning out.