Koberg Beach State Recreation Site is an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department site on the Columbia River, about 3 miles east of Hood River. It offers beach access and swimming beside I-84, with river currents and the lack of potable water worth factoring into your plans; it’s about 3.4 miles from a motel in Hood River.
- Location: Columbia River, about 3 miles east of Hood River.
- Access: From westbound I-84, along the I-84/Columbia River Highway.
- Typical use: Swimming and kayaking in summer; fishing and rest-stop use in shoulder-season months.
- Day use: The site has 20 parking spaces and no day-use fee.
Where Koberg Beach Is
Koberg Beach sits between the Columbia River, bluffs and Interstate 84, making the river and highway defining features of the recreation site. Its location east of Hood River makes it a local outing as well as a place to pause while travelling the gorge.
The beach has a longer history as a riverfront gathering place. From 1915 to 1950, a resort with a dance hall and live orchestra stood here. After the Columbia was dammed and the water rose, the dance hall had to make room for the river.
How do you get to Koberg Beach from Hood River?
The site is accessed from westbound I-84, also known as the I-84/Columbia River Highway. As you plan your approach, use the westbound access rather than assuming the site can be entered from either direction.
The day-use area has 20 parking spaces, 0.1 miles of trails and no day-use fee. The site covers 141.85 acres. A broader Hood River outing can include the beach alongside stops in a one-day Hood River itinerary.
Beach Access and Facilities
Koberg Beach has beach access and a swimming area, but swimming is unsupervised and the Columbia River has currents. Wear a properly fitting life jacket when swimming, floating, paddling or boating. You are responsible for your own safety at an unsupervised swimming area.
There is no potable water at the site, so plan to bring drinking water. Federal treaty permits tribal net fishing here; fishing is another use of the riverfront beyond swimming and beach access.
Seasonal Conditions on the Columbia River
Koberg Beach is typically a popular summer swimming and kayaking spot for Hood River residents. In shoulder-season months, people more often use the site for fishing or as a rest stop along I-84.
River conditions matter whenever you visit, especially if you plan to swim, float or paddle. Most Oregon waterbodies are not monitored for cyanobacteria blooms, so stay out of the water when in doubt. Beach advisories apply to actively monitored beaches, and some beaches are not monitored.
Planning a Visit
Day-use parks are generally open from dawn to dusk, though most parks post hours at their entrances. For this site, check the official site before you go. Pack drinking water, and use a properly fitting life jacket for water activities; the swimming area is unsupervised.
If you want to combine the riverfront with another Hood River stop, Georgiana Smith Park in Hood River is covered in a separate local visit guide.
FAQs
Is there a fee to use Koberg Beach?
There is no day-use fee. The site has 20 day-use parking spaces.
Can you swim at Koberg Beach?
Yes. The beach has a swimming area, but it is unsupervised and river currents are a safety consideration.
Is drinking water available at the site?
No potable water is available at Koberg Beach, so bring drinking water.
When is Koberg Beach busiest?
It is typically used for swimming and kayaking in summer. In shoulder-season months, fishing and rest-stop use are more typical.