Visit Responsibly

Go Guided

If you’re looking for the true insider’s take on how to plan and execute the perfect trip, look no further than the many experts who call Hood River home. Whether you’re hoping to try your hand at windsurfing or take a paddle out on the Columbia, the number one focus of our guide services and water sports schools is on making sure you and your crew have a safe, memorable, and stellar time.

How to get the local’s-eye view:

• Book as early as possible.
• Come prepared—most guides will send out a checklist of things to remember.
• Don’t forget to tip!

Pro tip: Book local! While there are many amazing guided services in Portland and beyond, it’s best to choose a company that’s local to the Gorge.

Bonus: Each time you go guided you support anywhere from 5-10 small local businesses!

Be a Stellar Swimmer

What’s more glorious than plunging into cool water on a hot summer day? We’d contend that there’s very little. But no matter whether you’re hopping into the Columbia or you’ve found a secret river or lakeside spot, keep a few key tips in mind.

Tips for jumping in with both feet:

• Leave no trace – if you pack it in, please pack it out
• On the Columbia, distance yourself from kiteboarders launching and landing
• Fully investigate river current before you swim out
• Know the rules and recommendations for life preservers – this isn’t a swimming pool and even accomplished swimmers will tell you that the currents here don’t mess around! Strong underwater currents, steep underwater drop-offs, and very cold water are all a factor
• Drowning danger is no joke in the mighty Columbia, we recommend children wear life jackets and be closely supervised by a responsible adult AT ALL TIMES.
• SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!

Pro tip: The wind is typically calmer in the early morning and evening.

Swell Ride with Smart Style

The consistent summer winds, playful swell, and vibrant wind sports culture have drawn hearty sailors, kiters, and paddlers to The Gorge for decades. Now, with recent advances in hydrofoil design, foils have converted many longtime wind sports enthusiasts into levitators, hovering above the surface of the water, gracefully riding river swell — swift, silent, and agile. And along with those converts, there’s a host of new foilers joining the ranks daily as wingfoiling, SUP foiling, parawing, wind, and kite foiling continue to draw in new users. While the sailing rules, right-of-way, general safety practices, and precautions remain the same, it’s important to revisit them each season, whether you’re launching for your first session at the Hook or your 10,000th at The Hatch. 

Here are our Top 8 things to remember before you head out on the river. 

1. Know the Conditions: Plan your day by watching the forecast so you can have an experience that’s appropriate for your skills. Long-time Hood River local, Temira Lital, has a great forecast service through their website: thegorgeismygym.com. With colorful commentary and a fun delivery, she provides daily updates for the coming conditions, including expected wind speeds, current water temperatures, and other need-to-know information.
2. Dress and Rig Appropriately: Make sure your gear and attire is in good condition and know how to use it. Wear a wetsuit that’s appropriate for an extended swim, should you become separated from your gear. Wear protection — helmets, PFD / impact vest, and booties (a wise choice for early and later in the season and also for those extended walks along the shoreline, should you need to hike back to your launch site). Lastly, wear bright colors so you can be seen from a distance — a high-visibility jersey is ideal to wear over your wetsuit and won’t restrict your movement.
   
   After you’ve confirmed your gear is dialed, check with other folks to see what size gear they’re on before heading out. Being overpowered can be dangerous, as can being underpowered with too small a sail / wing / kite / para-wing. When in doubt, ask a local before heading out. If it looks too intimidating, consider traveling to a less windy / wavy / busy spot.
3. The river is a Dynamic Environment — Expect the Unexpected: Strong currents, swells, barges and other large commercial vessels, fishing nets, unmarked shallow areas, and hundreds of other recreational users zig-zagging around the river create a dynamic environment. Always observe the flow of traffic before heading out and when you’re on the river, and keep your head on a swivel! Look around… that barge you see upriver will be here in less than five minutes. Have a plan to be somewhere else (onshore or far away from the shipping channel) when it does.
4. How Agile Are You? Everyone uses the river differently, and each craft has different levels of maneuverability. Some folks love to ride back and forth across the river, while others are constantly maneuvering upwind and downwind in a quest for extended wave rides. Still, for others, big jumps or downwind speed scratches the itch; we’re all doing something a little different out on the water. Keep other users in mind and be respectful. If you’re a skilled enough sailor / kiter / winger / para-winger, finding some space upwind or downwind from dedicated launches is the preferred and easy thing to do.
5. Know the Right Of Way (ROW): Due to the aforementioned agility of modern craft this one gets tricky. But when in doubt, always revert to the sailing right-of-way. When coming up on opposing traffic, the sailor with the wind to their right (starboard) has the ROW. For traffic moving in the same direction, the downwind sailor has ROW. ALL large vessels (barges, cruise ships, etc.) have the ROW. Use common courtesy for downwind traffic surf skiers, kayakers, etc., as they are less maneuverable than wind-powered craft.
   
6. Be Respectful: Respect gets respect both in and out of the water. Remember that everyone is here to have fun, too. Smile, make eye contact, and say hello when you’re out on the water. If you see something impressive, let ‘em know! When you’re on the shore, make sure your gear is out of the way for people entering and exiting the river. Have that stoke-filled conversation with your friends after your gear is safely out of the way. PRO TIP! If you’re a foiler, cover your foil between sessions to protect it from scratches and also from inadvertently puncturing other people’s wings / kites / sails / para-wings. Nothing ruins a good day quicker than a torn sail…
7. Work Your Way Up: If you’re new to the Gorge, start off at the friendlier spots to get a feel for the conditions. The Hook, Luhr Jensen, and the Event Site (kite) are all good spots with large launch areas to rig your gear and enjoy smooth water (on the inside). If you’re feeling good, you can head further out in the channel for more waves, but keep an eye out for commercial traffic! If you’re staying dry at these spots and are interested in more wind and waves, consider stepping up to other spots like Stevenson and Rowena, before going to dedicated wave spots like the Hatchery, Wall, Rufus, Arlington, etc…
8. Go with Friends: Not only is the experience more fun, it’s a whole lot safer when you’re keeping an eye out for each other. If you’re visiting solo, strike up a conversation with folks on the beach. These are just new friends waiting to be made

TJ Gulizia
Big Winds

Roll Right in Post Canyon

Post Canyon is by far the most popular mountain bike trail system in the Gorge and likely the most popular in the state of Oregon. Here is some information on the Post Canyon Trail network to help you get a better understanding of the area and improve your experience.

• The trails in Post Canyon are on the Hood River County Tree Farm, whose Timber Sales generate roughly 30% of the County’s general fund annually. Recreation is a secondary use, but Hood River County has been working hard to make this shared use work for all.
• Parking in Post Canyon Staging areas requires a parking permit. You can buy your parking pass here. These funds are used to manage, repair, and build new trails. Please buy a parking pass; the permit system has been a game-changer for the trails. Parking is very limited at the Seven Streams Staging Area. It is better to park where Post Canyon Rd. turns to gravel (more climbing) or Family Man Staging Area (less climbing).
• There are two great online maps for Post Canyon. The best thing about using a digital map system is the ability to see your location on the map relative to the trails. Please ensure you test this before your ride. Hood River County Tree Farm Trail Map. This free online map from Hood River County provides a comprehensive list of trails and is the best source of information on which trails are open and which are closed. Trailforks is a paid mapping service that does a nice job with Post Canyon Trails as well as trails all over the world. It’s a great tool to have on any mountain bike trip.
• Downhill only trails are not marked at the top of the trail. They are only marked “Do Not Enter” at the bottom of the trail. Never ignore this message; you will be putting yourself and other riders at risk. The HRC online map has trail direction information when you click on a trail. Please plan your route before you ride.
• Family Man has recently undergone a facelift and is now a fantastic place for families to enjoy small loops as they progress through the many levels of trails.
• Trail Etiquette: HRATS has a simple Trail Etiquette page here. Please take a look at it.

E-Bikes: Class 1 E-Bikes are legal to ride on the Hood River County Tree Farm. If you do, please follow these suggestions to be thoughtful of other trail users:

• As all trail users should, please be patient as you catch other riders, especially on a climb. Please let them finish the climb or find a good pullout.
• Please do not climb at unrealistic speeds. E-Bikes have been given special permission to ride on non-motorized trails. Using your e-Bike as a motorcycle will jeopardize this for all users. If you are climbing faster than the fittest local, you are climbing too fast.

Tread Lightly

Who can deny the magic of hiking to a hidden waterfall, or among a field of Alpine wildflowers? If there is one thing Hood River offers in abundance, it’s hiking. All we ask you tread lightly when hitting the trails.

Know before you go:

• Follow the trail protocols. Guidelines will vary from place to place, and may require a reservation or parking pass. Check the destination’s website or call ahead to know what to expect and how to be ready. Ready, Set, GOrge! is a handy site to help you prepare.
• Make a backup plan in case of trail or trailhead is closed or at capacity
• Let someone know where you are and don’t forget to check in with mom when you’re back in the car
• Consider public transit or shuttle to cut down the stress of parking
• Pack IN everything you need, and carry the Ten Essentials
• Pack OUT everything you brought, and any extra you may see lying around
• Check the weather before you head out, and be mindful of the weather during your trip. From sunshine to rain showers, it can change in minutes
• Headed to the waterfall corridor? Know the roads – check to make sure roads are open and accessible with a quick search on www.tripcheck.com

Bonus Points: Take a guided tour with a local expert, you may even find a wild mushroom or two!

Fire Safety

Lush forests and rolling hills blanket the land in and around Hood River, making it a true nature-lovers paradise. But all this beauty comes with the risk of wildfires, and the Columbia Gorge has seen its share of human-caused wildfire devastation in recent years. So let’s work together to prevent and prioritize our cherished lands.

• Prevent human-caused wildfires by understanding current fire restrictions
• Use established fire rings when building a fire and be sure to fully extinguish any fire that will be unattended. Fires should be DEAD OUT when hitting the sack
• When wildfires do occur, stay updated on current conditions and closures to ensure the safety of you and first responders

Connect and Respect

Here, we all share the same feeling: no matter what we’re up to, when we look around, we pinch ourselves. And we’d all like for it to stay that way. Find our quick tips on how to Love HR and make sure HR is able to love us all back for generations to come.

Normalize Kindness:

• Be welcoming and respectful. A friendly wave goes a long way! We are an open and accepting community whose unique triumphs and challenges have shaped the local culture. We want it to stay that way and ask that you adopt our open-armed approach.
• Your experiences and views may vary greatly from others, but a welcoming and respectful attitude can help build a stronger, more unified community
• Be gracious to the people and the lands that make your experience truly incredible. A little (or a lot) of gratitude goes a long way with frontline workers, service staff, park rangers, and anyone else you may encounter during your time here
• Stay off of private property – yes, even for that vineyard selfie – please respect signs and a property owner’s spaces
• Treasure the uniqueness of this special place by choosing to eat, drink, shop, and stay locally – and ensure that our treasured community thrives