Quick Guide to Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood is the perfect destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors. From hiking and biking to wine and beer tasting, Mt. Hood is filled with activities to keep travelers plenty occupied. Here is my quick travel guide to Mt. Hood Territory – where to stay, what to do and where to eat.

Where is Mt. Hood Territory?

Located just outside of Portland, the area that makes up the Mt. Hood Territory reaches south into the Willamette Valley, north to Greater Portland and east to the tip of Mt. Hood. Specifically, Mt. Hood Territory is part of Clackamas County.

Where to Stay

Seeing as the Mt. Hood Territory covers a rather large region, why not mix it up and stay in two different cities? Near the base of Mt. Hood is where you will find loads of hiking trails and, of course, skiing and snowboarding on Mt. Hood, which has one of the longest ski seasons in North America.

Timberline Lodge
Perhaps the most famous in the area is the iconic Timberline Lodge. Constructed in 1937, the lodge is located on the south slop of Mt. Hood at an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level. Timberline Lodge will be the perfect starting point for all your activities around the mountain. www.timberlinelodge.com

Lakeshore Inn
If you prefer to be surrounded by a little more civilization in a rather upperclass city, then the Lakeshore Inn on Lake Oswego is the perfect choice. Located www.thelakeshoreinn.com

Vacation Rental
If you are traveling with a group, then consider a vacation rental. When staying for more than just a couple of days, cabins are a great choice because you have a kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. Check out Vacasa for a list great rentals in the Mt. Hood area.

What to Do

As mentioned, Mt. Hood Territory covers a large region. To drive from Mt. Hood Village to theWillamette River will take approximately one hour, so plan accordingly.

Hiking
There are enough hiking trails in Mt. Hood Territory to keep you exploring new ones for years to come. From easy strolls to strenuous hikes like portions of the PCT, the trails surrounding Mt. Hood are filled with waterfalls, lakes and enchanting green forests. Check out my post on the best hikes in Oregon for where to go hiking.

Wine Tasting
Home to more than 500 wineries, the Willamette Valley is known for its world class Pinot noir. Consider booking a tour of the wineries or going on a self-guided tour. Keep in mind that many of the smaller vineyards are closed during the week so plan accordingly.

Biking
Oregon is well-known in the cycling world so if you are an avid cyclist, then you will fall in love with the roads in Oregon. Picturesque and varying in degrees of challenge, whatever your cycling level you will find something perfect here. If you want to combine wine tasting and biking, consider taking a tour with The Bike Concierge.

River Paddle Boarding
One of my favorite activities that I did while exploring Mt. Hood Territory was taking a twilight stand up paddle boarding excursion down the Clackamas River with Clackamas River Outfitters.

Kayaking to Willamette Falls
Another great river adventure in Mt. Hood Territory is kayaking to Willamette Falls. eNRG Kayaking will take you on a great paddle to the largest waterfall by volume in the Pacific Northwest.

Snow Play
Seeing as Mt. Hood boasts one of the longest ski seasons in North America, even in summer you can still play in the snow. Whether it’s just taking a leisurely hike up the mountain or hitting the slopes, snow play on Mt. Hood is not to be missed. Check out Timberline Lodge for more information.

Where to Eat

Skyway Bar & Grill
Skyway Bar & Grill is a roadhouse-style BBQ joint with recipes that highlight the bounty of fresh meats that they smoke and cure in house and combine with local foods from the Pacific Northwest. During the summer they have a live music stage in their huge fenced backyard with plenty of picnic tables. Their fire pit, fountains, family games and forest setting are complete with down-home friendly service. 71545 E Hwy 26 | Rhododendron | 503.622.3775 | website

McMenamins
McMenamins is a chain of brewpubs, breweries, music venues, historic hotels, and theater pubs located throughout Oregon and Washington. The Oregon City location is in a restored one-room church with river views. 102 9th St | Oregon City | 503.655.8032 | website

Stickmen Brewing Company
Absolutely loved this place as you get to enjoy lakefront dining and onsite brewed beer at this casual restaurant in Lake Oswego. 40 N State St | Lake Oswego | 503.344.4449 | website

Getting There & Away

Mt. Hood Territory is located just outside Portland. You can fly to Mt. Hood nonstop from LAX on Alaska Air in roughly two hours making it an easy getaway from Los Angeles. From Portland, Mt. Hood Territory is just 50 miles east of Portland.

My visit to Mt. Hood was made possible by Mt. Hood Territory. As always, my opinions are my own.