Punchbowl Falls is a small but striking waterfall on the West Fork of the Hood River, where the stream narrows between towering basalt cliffs before plunging into a deep, churning pool. It’s well worth a visit for the dramatic canyon views and impressive columnar basalt formations.
A short distance below, where the West Fork makes a modest drop over Punchbowl, Dead Point Creek plunges 75 feet into the canyon, creating a striking Dead Point Falls framed by several towering trees.
Punchbowl Falls Park is a Hood River county park located near Dee, 7 miles north of the Parkdale and the Old Parkdale Inn. The park features 2 waterfalls within a basalt gorge on the West Fork of the Hood River. The park, an important area for public access and conservation, is home to a 103-acre property with a trail system, river access for rafting and fishing, and a popular swimming hole formed by the falls.
- Confluence:
The park is situated at the confluence of the Hood River’s East and West Forks. - Basalt Gorge: The West Fork of the Hood River cuts through a dramatic basalt gorge, creating the unique “punchbowl” shaped waterfall.
- Hiking: A 2.1-mile loop trail offers scenic views, passes the waterfall, and includes Dead Point Falls.
- River Access: The park is a well-known spot for whitewater enthusiasts and fishermen, with platforms built by local tribes still used today.
- Wildlife and Flora: The park is home to a variety of flora and fauna, and the surrounding area is known for its rich natural environment.
The land was privately owned until the Western Rivers Conservancy began purchasing it in 2006. In 2015, Hood River County received a grant to transfer the land from the Conservancy, establishing it as a public county park for permanent access and habitat protection.
Thank you for trusting us to be your home away from home. We’ve posted our Hospitality and Health Policy on our website and we invite you to read online reviews for the Old Parkdale Inn. And then we encourage you to go directly to our website and Book Direct for all the right reasons.
We’re your home base for exploring and enjoying the Hood River Valley and beyond. After a full day, you’ll love the peace and tranquility of the Old Parkdale Inn. Relax in the gardens, perhaps with your favorite beverage, by the bonfire, roast some s’mores, weather permitting of course.
After serving our guests for 23 wonderful years we are hoping to gently step into retirement. We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to have hosted you all in creating lasting memories. In the meantime, we’re still open and delighted to welcome guests through October. Come enjoy our cozy rooms, beautiful surroundings, and warm hospitality just as you always have. Whether you’re planning a relaxing weekend getaway or a scenic Oregon adventure, we’d love the opportunity to host you and share this special place with you.
We don’t know exactly what next year will bring, but for now, we promise to continue offering the same care, comfort, and sense of place you’ve come to know and love, just in a way that allows us to balance our love of hospitality with this new chapter of life.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you back, sharing our home, and serving those hearty breakfasts that have become part of the Old Parkdale Inn experience.
And there may be more to come! If the inn doesn’t sell over the winter, we may open our doors again in the spring. So, as they say, watch this space! We’ll keep you posted as this next chapter unfolds.
What’s to do
The Hood River Fruit Loop is located in the beautiful Hood River Valley at the foot of majestic Mt. Hood offering you a variety of wines, fruits, vegetables, flowers, ciders, and food. Many outdoor adventures, such as kayaking, windsurfing, skiing, snow boarding, and hiking, await. Mt. Hood Meadows, Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, and Timberline Ski areas are only a short drive away, as is the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood National Forest where trails and wildlife abound.
