RV Rental Parkdale, OR

The most apparent outdoor destination with an RV rental from Parkdale is Mount Hood National Forest to see the famed Mount Hood. While summiting the peak is best left to experienced mountaineers, there are quite a few great trails that skirt the mountain and have amazing vistas of its ice-covered summit. The Burnt Lake Trail on the mountain’s southwestern face has some of the best views.

On a hot summer day though, nothing beats a trip to the Columbia River Gorge. Here the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Range, leaving 4,000-foot-tall rock walls on its flank and forming a spectacular canyon. There are a number of great swimming holes in the gorge, and it’s quite popular with rafters and kayakers; a number of outfitters provide guided trips along it.

To enjoy nature without leaving the confines of your vehicle, you can drive the Hood River County Fruit Loop, a 35-mile scenic drive through some of Oregon’s most beautiful orchards. Many of the orchards offer pick-your-own fruit experiences during the harvest season and produce delicious products that are available for sale. If nothing else, there will be dozens of farms stands where you can pick up fresh fruits.

Most of the RV parks and campgrounds that are available are located along the Columbia River, near the town of Hood River. Bridge RV Park and Campground is just across the state line in the town of White Salmon, Washington and has full hookups for your Parkdale motorhome rental along with laundry facilities and showers. It’s also right next to the Columbia River Gorge which has tons of amazing watersports opportunities.

Just a short distance downriver is the Timberlake Campground and RV Park at the foot of Wind Mountain. This park offers full hookups at most of their sites, and there’s also a dump station if you need to empty your tanks. There are ample hiking trails nearby with Wind Mountain and Wahclella Falls Trails leaving from just outside the campground.

If you’d prefer to stay closer to Parkdale though, there’s Toll Bridge Park on the edge of town, which offers partial hookup sites (no sewer). There are no real amenities here, but you can’t beat the location at the foot of Mount Hood. If you just need a place to stay for a few nights, there’s also a Walmart in Hood River where you might be able to camp in the parking lot with manager permission.

While visiting Mount Hood might be the main draw for travelers booking a camper rental in Parkdale, there are quite a few other things to do when you’re not enjoying the mountain. The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River is just one of the many great attractions in the area. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of antique airplanes that are still capable of flying, including a 1917 Curtiss JN-4D, which looks like it’s straight out of World War I. They also have a massive vintage car collection that includes an electric automobile from 1914. If you love old planes and cars, this is a must-see when you rent an RV here.

To learn more about the town of Parkdale though, stop by the Hutson Museum in the middle of town. It’s not very big, but it has an interesting assortment of artifacts from the town’s previous residents. There’s even a large collection of arrowheads sourced from nearby Native American tribes.

If you enjoy fine wines, you’ll also want to take a tour of some of the region’s vineyards. The climate and soil beneath Mount Hood mirror those of northern Italy, making it a fantastic place for growing quality winemaking grapes. Most vineyards will have tastings, but try to find one that takes you on a tour of the fields if you’re interested in the fruit-to-bottle process.