The Hood River area is well known for its recreation, amazing scenery, and agriculture. Settlement of the Hood River began in 1854. By the turn of the century, with rail transportation, a community newspaper and a bank, settlement began in earnest. The area’s history extends much beyond that, however, to its earliest days of geologic wonder, native American society, and the explorations of Lewis and Clark and Oregon Trail pioneers.

Most of the documented history of Hood River occurred during the last 100 years, however, only slightly longer than the history of the Hotel Waucoma. The lush Hood River valley, situated between the moister Cascade range and the arid desserts of eastern Oregon, was soon recognized as prime timber and fruit orchard lands. The agriculture industry continues as the area’s largest industry, producing world-famous pears, plus apples and cherries and more. There are nearly 400 commercial farms, 14,000 acres in orchard and 20,000 acres of farm land. The farm acreage creates picturesque rural scenery between the town of Hood River and Mt. Hood.

In the heart of the nearly 300,000 acre Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Hood River also offers vast areas of forest land for hiking, biking and snowsports. In addition, watersports such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, fishing, sailing, jetskiing, and rafting flourish on the magnificent Columbia River, and its tributaries such as the Hood, White Salmon, Klickitat and Deschutes rivers.

These assets combined make Hood River a world-famous tourist destination. Visitors can experience abundant and diverse recreation, unmatched scenery, small-town quaintness, the rural Northwest experience, history and culture, all in one.