Koberg Beach State Recreation Site
Hood River, Oregon · on Lake Bonneville · Koberg Beach State Recreation Site
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Koberg Beach State Recreation Site
Koberg Beach State Recreation Site is a small Oregon Parks and Recreation Department day-use wayside on the Columbia River (the Bonneville Pool) about 3 miles east of Hood River, Oregon, reached from Interstate 84. A basalt rock outcrop screens a sandy swimming hole from the freeway, and the site is recognized as one of the public places to swim on the Columbia River. It sits on the site of a Koberg-family dance-hall resort that operated roughly 1915 to the early 1950s before the state acquired and redeveloped the property.
The site lies along the Historic Columbia River Highway/I-84 corridor in the Columbia River Gorge, on the Bonneville Pool section of the Columbia River in Hood River County, Oregon, across the river from Underwood and Bingen, Washington. A large basalt outcrop separates the sandy beach and parking area from the interstate, giving the beach a secluded feel despite the freeway running immediately behind it.
Swimming at Koberg Beach State Recreation Site
A sandy river beach on the Columbia River used for swimming, sunbathing, and beach recreation, reached by a short walk from the parking area past the basalt outcrop. It suits casual river swimming and wading rather than a dedicated adventure/waterfall swim spot; there are no lifeguards.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Hood River, Oregon, travel about 3 miles east on Interstate 84; the site is a wayside accessible to westbound I-84 traffic, with parking screened from the highway by a large basalt outcrop, and a short trail leads from the parking area to the beach.
Parking: Free on-site parking at the wayside/rest area for I-84 travelers.
The hike in
Difficulty: easy
Trailhead: The trail starts right at the wayside parking area; walk around/behind (west of) the basalt rock outcrop that screens the lot from I-84 to reach the sandy beach.
Not a backcountry trail -- Swim Guide and Wikipedia describe it only as a short access trail from the parking lot to the beach; no source gives an exact distance in miles.
This is a short walk, not a hike in the trip-planning sense -- multiple sources (Swim Guide, Wikipedia, AllMountHood) describe it as a brief trail from the parking area around the outcrop, but none publish an exact distance or walking time.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach entry with no steep drop described in sources, but it's open Columbia River water (Bonneville Pool) with boat/barge traffic and river current, and Swim Guide notes there are no lifeguards; supervise kids closely rather than treating it as a calm swimming pool.
Parking
Free
Free on-site parking at the I-84 wayside rest area; screened from the freeway by a large basalt outcrop. No capacity or time-limit details published.
Restrooms
Yes
Public restrooms on-site at the wayside/parking area, confirmed by both Swim Guide and AllMountHood.
Hours
Open year-round for day use only; no overnight camping or stay permitted (AllMountHood).
On the water
AllMountHood states the site offers 'swimming, boating, fishing, and windsurfing' from the beach access area on the Columbia River (Bonneville Pool, an open reservoir behind Bonneville Dam); no wake, motor, or no-motor restriction specific to this beach was found in any source.
Rentals nearby
Entry-level 2-person Ocean Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and Hobie Cat small sailboats
Private beach on the east lawn of the Best Western Hood River Inn, in downtown Hood River -- roughly 3 miles west of Koberg Beach via I-84 · Open 7 days a week through the summer season (exact daily hours not published; call ahead)
Backstory
The Koberg family developed the beach with a rustic dance hall/riverfront resort that operated from about 1915 into the early 1950s and drew visitors from Hood River for dances with a live orchestra. The Oregon Highway Department acquired the property in 1953 and demolished the dance hall in 1954, reportedly related to rising river levels following construction of Bonneville Dam; an entrance road and parking area were built in 1962. Historical photographs of the resort are preserved at the Hood River County Museum.
Koberg Beach State Recreation Site: FAQ
Does Koberg Beach State Recreation Site charge a fee?
No admission fee; free day-use site, open year-round.
Is Koberg Beach State Recreation Site kid friendly?
Sandy beach entry with no steep drop described in sources, but it's open Columbia River water (Bonneville Pool) with boat/barge traffic and river current, and Swim Guide notes there are no lifeguards; supervise kids closely rather than treating it as a calm swimming pool.
How hard is the hike to Koberg Beach State Recreation Site?
A hike is required. Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.
Where do I park for Koberg Beach State Recreation Site?
Free on-site parking at the I-84 wayside rest area; screened from the freeway by a large basalt outcrop. No capacity or time-limit details published.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Koberg Beach State Recreation Site?
AllMountHood states the site offers 'swimming, boating, fishing, and windsurfing' from the beach access area on the Columbia River (Bonneville Pool, an open reservoir behind Bonneville Dam); no wake, motor, or no-motor restriction specific to this beach was found in any source.
When is the best time to visit Koberg Beach State Recreation Site?
Summer, corresponding to the period (roughly June 10 to September 20) when Columbia Riverkeeper historically sampled the beach for E. coli under EPA recreational-water guidelines.
What are the rules at Koberg Beach State Recreation Site?
Day-use only; no camping or overnight stay.
What water body is Koberg Beach State Recreation Site on?
Koberg Beach State Recreation Site is on Lake Bonneville, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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