Once There By Air

In good weather, or even marginal weather, the best approach from the west is usually through the Columbia Gorge, which often means fighting through some pretty stiff winds. The airport sits up from the gorge, about four miles south of the river in an orchard area. Normal winds favor landing on runway 25, with left patterns on both runways 7 and 25.

Transient parking is available on ramps on the north or south side of the field, $5 per night for overnight parking. Self and full-service 100LL is available through the local FBO, Tac Aero.

No rental car service is available on the field, but Enterprise Rent-A-Car is available in nearby Hood River, and will pick you up at the airport.

The Stonehedge Gardens restaurant is our favorite in Hood River, located at the end of a short gravel road west of town, the "romantic setting includes a fireplace, cozy tables, wood-paneled walls and a spectacular outdoor garden". The menu usually features authentic French onion soup, halibut and rack of lamb. A favorite is the Filet Mignon Au Poivre. Try the flaming bread pudding topped with creme brulee.

The Hood River Hotel is the only downtown hotel in Hood River, with European-style hotel rooms in various styles and configurations. The Columbia Gorge Hotel is a charming historic hotel on the western edge of town, with great gardens and a waterfall on the property.

The town of Hood River hosts eclectic shops, winery outlets, and good restaurants. The Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood areas are spectacular in all seasons. The Hood River airport hosts the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum, housing one of the largest collections of still-flying antique airplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country. The Museum conducts flights of their antique aircraft on the Second Saturday of each month.