Parkdale: Orchards, Railroad History, and Lava Beds

Parkdale lies among the orchards of the Columbia River Gorge, with Mount Hood rising in the background. If you’re looking for a hotel in Parkdale, the town is best explored through three themes: fruit growing, the history of the Mount Hood Railroad, and the geology of the Parkdale Lava Flow. These highlights reveal different sides of the destination and help you plan your stay around your interests.

Orchards and Landscape

Mt. View Orchards is a 51-acre apple and pear farm in Parkdale. The farm offers U-pick, a picnic area, and photo opportunities; its program also includes a seasonal pumpkin patch and farm-to-table dinners. Activities are seasonal and may change, so check what’s currently available before your visit.

The geology also tells the story of the landscape. The 7,000-year-old Parkdale Lava Flow filled the former Middle Fork Valley and diverted the river to the western edge of the old valley. It is the youngest lava flow in the Cascades between Mount Jefferson and Mount Adams. The Parkdale Lava Beds are an excellent example of an ʻaʻā lava flow, with rough, jagged, and clinkery surfaces.

Fruit and Farm Offerings

Kiyokawa Family Orchards is a family-run farm in Parkdale that has been growing produce since 1911. Its offerings include more than 150 varieties of apples, pears, Asian pears, cherries, and stone fruit; the selection may vary seasonally. The fruit stand also offers local honey, jams, and fresh cider, also depending on the season.

The farm describes its U-pick orchard as the largest in the Hood River Valley. Since U-pick is seasonal, it’s a good idea to check current availability. Together with the offerings at Mt. View Orchards, it shows how varied agricultural experiences in Parkdale can be: U-pick and seasonal farm activities sit alongside fruit stands and a wide range of varieties.

Ride the Mount Hood Railroad

The Mount Hood Railroad offers scenic rides between Hood River and Parkdale. Visitor options include round-trip train rides and railbike rides. Parkdale is the railroad’s terminus; since 1906, it has transported produce to market. To help plan your time, check the schedule and availability of the rides in advance.

Local History and Orientation

The Hutson Museum opened in 1994 with the collections of Jesse Hutson, a Hood River Valley resident. Artifacts from Indigenous peoples and pioneer relics illustrate early life in the Upper Hood River Valley. Interpretive signs are located in the adjacent Red Barn Park. The museum grounds also include a USFS amphitheater where talks and demonstrations are held.

The Ries-Thompson House dates to around 1900 and is the oldest surviving residence in Parkdale. Both the Hutson Museum and the Ries-Thompson House are designated National Historic Sites. The two places focus on different aspects of the past: the museum explores its collections and early life in the Upper Hood River Valley, while the house offers a glimpse of Parkdale’s residential history around 1900.

Parkdale Park includes a picnic shelter, picnic tables, a small amphitheater, a historic house, a barn with an upper level, and an open-air shelter with an antique fire truck; amenities may change. The park is open to the public free of charge, with no reservation required, on a first-come, first-served basis. For organized visits, it’s best to check the terms of use in advance.

Discover more destinations: Hood River, Cascade Locks.

Return to the main travel overview: Hood River.