Punch Bowl Falls Access and Park Fund

Protecting Punch Bowl Falls near the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Hood River is a century-old idea. Now is the time to make it a reality, and American Whitewater needs your help in making it happen. We’re calling on you to make a donation, whether big or small, to raise funds to transfer the property to Hood River County and protect the site as a park.

How To Donate

1. Fill out American Whitewater's online donation form.
2. Put “Punch Bowl Falls” into the “Additional Comments/In Honor Of” field.

Punch Bowl Falls is one of Oregon’s iconic scenic and recreational sites, and the Hood is the go-to river for boaters in the Columbia River Gorge. Above the Falls, the West Fork of the Hood flows through two beautiful gorges. It provides an opportunity for boaters to test and strengthen their Class IV skills with consistently fun rapids at a variety of flows. Below the falls, the West Fork joins the East Fork to form the Hood River, where boaters can enjoy Class III water on a newly free-flowing river following the removal of Powerdale Dam. The area around the Falls is not only an important access point for boaters, but is significant to the overall community as well. Located in a stunning canyon, it provides a sanctuary for salmon, access for swimming and has great potential for camping and day use.

Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) recently purchased 102 acres surrounding the falls, including 2 miles of river. Based in Portland, OR, Western Rivers Conservancy protects outstanding river ecosystems in the western United States by acquiring private lands and transferring them to long-term stewards for permanent conservation and management.

We are working to encourage Hood River County to manage the property as a salmon sanctuary and park. We need your help raising funds to enable the County to acquire and permanently preserve the property. We believe river access needs to be a key component of the future for the park, and you will have a chance to weigh in on improvements as the plans are being developed.

The effort to raise funds to transfer Punch Bowl Falls to public hands is coming from many sources and the whitewater boating community has already made a modest contribution to the overall effort.

WRC and American Whitewater want to see the County become the long-term steward of Punch Bowl Falls. With your donation, Punch Bowl Falls we will be able to achieve our goal of protecting this place as a premier boating and recreational destination available for all to enjoy.

Your donation to American Whitewater will help achieve this goal!

Donate online today, and be sure to put “Punch Bowl Falls” in the “Additional Comments/In Honor Of” field. You can also mail your donation to American Whitewater, P.O. Box 1540, Cullowhee, NC 28723, and be sure to include a note that the donation is for Punch Bowl Falls.

Thanks to NW Rafting Company and Peter Marbach for photos!

Contact Megan Hooker at American Whitewater.