Hood River County

Hood River County, Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest. Positioned at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge and the magnificent Cascade Range, the County is known for its unusual mix of geology and climate. Cascade Locks on the western edge of the county sits at just 60 feet above sea level while the county’s south border soars to the 11,235-foot summit of Mt. Hood—Oregon’s tallest peak. Hood River County (population 23,382) lies midway between the moist rain forest climate of Cascade Locks and the arid desert air of The Dalles. The area that is now Hood River County has been inhabited by native tribes such as the Wasco, Klickitat, and Warm Springs tribes for thousands of years. They fished salmon from the Columbia, gathered native huckleberries, and thrived off the area’s diverse natural habitat far before settlers began their westward explorations. Hood River was later discovered by Lewis and Clark on their historic journey west, and the area was a pivotal point in the famous Oregon Trail migration of pioneers. Hood River was named after the river tributary that flows from Mount Hood to the Columbia River. Originally a part of Wasco County, Hood River County gained its political separation on June 23, 1908 and its boundaries have remained unchanged. The Missoula Floods that rose at the end of the last ice age left the Hood River Valley fertile and hospitable for fruit trees and vineyards, and created a fishing and trade mecca in the Cascade Locks area. Hood River Valley is famed for apples and pears which producers ship in large quantities. Forestry, healthcare, manufacturing and technology are also major industries. The Columbia River Gorge has had federally protected status as a National Scenic Area since 1986. Its steep walls, coupled with a rapid average temperature change along this corridor, force strong winds to blow year-round through Hood River, which contribute to its reputation as a windsport mecca.