What Is The Best Way To Experience Oregon's Tallest Mountain?

Mount Hood is Oregon's tallest mountain, rising 11,240 feet and covering about 92 square miles of land near the state's northern border with Washington. It is an enduring symbol of the Pacific Northwest as one of its most visually striking natural landmarks and a source of seemingly endless amounts of outdoor recreation for both residents and its millions of visitors every year.

Technically a stratovolcano (a volcano covered in layers of rock that has yet to explode), Mount Hood sits in the heart of the Cascade Range and is a part of Mount Hood National Forest, which protects both the mountain and large swathes of its surrounding forests, lakes, and rivers.

Discover some must-do activities if you find yourself in its vicinity, from some of its best scenic viewpoints to exciting hikes and other fun attractions in and around the park.

Hiking

Hiking is among the most popular activities here, with nearly 1,000 miles of trails to explore. Whether you're looking for a short jaunt in the woods or an epic trek circumnavigating the whole mountain, there are options for just about everybody.

For those who are just visiting for the afternoon or are looking to get back to their hotel or campsite at the end of the day, there are numerous day hikes to embark on. The Mirror Lake Loop is a moderate trail and a fan favorite, starting near the community of Government Camp and taking you about 2.4 miles through towering pine forests until you reach the namesake lake. Tom, Dick, and Harry is another trail that follows a similar route, this time ending at a treeless hilltop vista with quite possibly the best views of Mount Hood you can get.

There are lots of amazing waterfalls in the area that can also be visited on foot, like Umbrella and Sahalie Falls. Both of these are accessible by an easy 3.5-mile walk starting from the parking lot of Mount Hood Meadows Ski Resort. Ramona Falls is another scenic cascade, that can be seen on on the western side of Mount Hood along with Ramona Falls Trail.

Walking fully around Mount Hood is no easy task, but is completely doable for most experienced hikers and backcountry campers. If this is what you want to do, you will look for an access point along the Timberline Trail, which both commences and terminates at the Timberline Lodge. The lodge is the most popular starting point given you can pick up some supplies here beforehand, and kick back and grab a much-needed cold one at the hotel bar after. Covering over 40 miles, the Timberline Trails generally take at least 2 days to complete, so be prepared.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Mount Hood is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest, with terrain for all skill levels and a long season that even includes summer skiing! In fact, Timberline Lodge & Ski Area has the longest ski season in North America, offering year-round access to its slopes. During a trip to the mountain in August, its not uncommon to see hikers and snowboarders hitting the trails near the Timberline lodge.

The resort features a mix of groomed runs, tree skiing, and a renowned terrain park. Nearby, Mt. Hood Meadows provides another option to hit more runs, from beginner-friendly slopes to challenging bowls and glades.

In the southern foothills of Mount Hood, you will find Ski Bowl, a ski area better known for its night skiing. This unique resort actually features the largest illuminated terrain in the country, at a current total of 37 well-lit runs, on top of 71 regular day runs.

Explore the Countryside

The mineral-rich soils around Mount Hood, that can also be found throughout much of Oregon, make it one of the most productive agricultural regions in the United States. Famous for its fruit orchards, the very rural countryside that surrounds Mount Hood is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to visit a farm, pick up some fresh produce, and sample some truly farm-to-table goods.

The area's lavender farms produce fields of the bright purple shrubs. Glacier View Lavender Farm, and not only sells a collection of interesting products made with its own lavender plants but also provides an incredible view of Mount Hood off into the distance (with a few of its 11 glaciers in full view too). Hood River Lavender Farms is another local farm with delicious home-baked lavender cookies, neighbored by Stave & Stone Winery featuring locally produced wine.

Speaking of wine, grapes grow in this region just as well as its apple orchards and lavender fields. Other local options include Grateful Vineyard and Wy'East Vineyards—with more choices closer to the Columbia River and a few more right across the water on the Washington State side.

Accommodations

Staying the night around Mount Hood can come in a couple of forms—you can book a lodge or hotel or find a campground, of which there are many ideal options for each. You can try to secure a room at the Timberline Lodge. This storied park lodge has a bit of a spooky past, given its exterior was used as a stand-in for the Overlook Hotel in the iconic horror movie, The Shinning. Even if you can't get a reservation there, you might be able to manage to get a spot at the on-site Blue-Ox Bar, an excellent spot for pizza, beer, and cocktails.

Nearby Government Camp is home to many other hotels and rentals for those who want to stay as close to the mountain as possible. Collins Lake Resort is a cozy option, and right down the street is the Mt Hood Cultural Center & Museum, with a grocery store within walking distance too.

If the weather allows, snag a site at Sherwood Campground, a pleasant little spot right at the base of Mount Hood. The idyllic East Fork Hood River passes nearby under towering stands of pine trees. Moreover, Trillium Campground may be the most popular in the area. Sitting on the shores of the iconic Trillium Lake, it is an incredible place to catch a sunset and unobstructed views of Mount Hood.

The nearby town of Hood River has several more options for hotels, many of which will be much more affordable than any of the lodges on the mountain.

Getting to Mount Hood

The most popular route is to drive in via Portland (where the Portland International Airport is located), heading east for just under 2 hours on Highway 26. Alternatively, the more scenic Interstate 84, which rides beside the picturesque Columbia River Gorge, is just over 2 hours. If you choose to drive the latter, you will eventually need to head south along Highway 35 when you hit the town of Hood River (a good spot to pick up supplies and gas) until you reach the incredibly hard-to-miss mountain.

Mount Hood can also be accessed about a 2.5-hour drive directly north of Bend along Highway 26. If you're heading south from Seattle, expect a nearly 5-hour journey to get to Hood.

In summer and fall, arriving at Mount Hood by bicycle is an adventurous option for cyclists looking for an extended journey.The area in and around the park is covered with hundreds of miles of paved routes to both explore the park and get in and out of it.

See Why Mount Hood is Oregon's Must-Visit Destination

The sharp, snowcapped crest of Mount Hood is a sight that alone calls for a visit. Whether hiking to its summit or simply enjoying its majestic presence from a nearby vineyard, the experiences around Oregon’s highest peak are plentiful year-round, offering something for every type of adventurer. A trip to Mount Hood, rain or snow, is certainly one of the greatest adventures to be had in all of Oregon.