Outdoor Fun!
There are many outdoor activities for Mt Hood family fun, from hiking, biking and skiing to fine dining, bird watching, fly-fishing, picnics and festivals. For more detailed information about hiking trails, waterfalls, skiing and other exciting Mt. Hood activities, visit Mt Hood Information Center. Planning a family reunion check out the group shelters at Wildwood Recreation Site.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Riding Oregon’s Bike-Optimized Sandy Ridge Trail System
Sandy Ridge Mountain Bike Trail System has expanded their parking. A very popular choice for the mountain biking community.
Ski Bowl has down hill mountain biking and hosts races in the summer.
Enduro Mountain Bike Races are run at Sandy Ridge and Ski Bowl in the summers. Check the Endruo website.
Timberline Lodge Bike Park Great downhill biking with lift assist.
ON THE MOUNTAIN
Climbing Mt Hood is second only to Mt. Fuji, Japan in frequency. The Adventure Park with 20 activities for all age sand Alpine Slide operates in the summers at Ski Bowl with fun for the whole family.
Love to golf? There are 27 holes of golf with expansive views of the surrounding hills at the Three Nines open year around at The Resort at the Mountain. Also, Miniature Golf, Croquet or Lawn Bowling for the young and young at heart is open at The Resort April through September.
ON THE WATER
Fly Fishing is a popular late spring, summer and fall activity. Trillum Lake, Lost Lake, Timothy Lake, Clear Lake and Frog Lake are stocked for fishing or you can fish for steelhead on the lower Sandy River. Please remember to check out Oregon Fishing Regulations for limits and open dates. You can fish at Rainbow Trout Farm for a guaranteed catch March through October.
Bring your boat or rent a kayak and have it delivered to one of the lakes to go paddling for a day, enjoy the views and relax in peace. MT Hood Adventure in Government Camp has kayak rentals they will deliver. Timothy Lake allows motorized boats or drive to Cascade Locks and from there you can take a ride in the Sternwheeler up the Columbia River to see the sites.
Whitewater and River Rafting on the Clackamas, White Salmon and
Deschutes Rivers are an hour to and hour and half away and can be arranged with an outfitter.
MT HOOD HISTORY
For history buffs visit the local sites along the Barlow Trail, visit the Mt. Hood Museum and Cultural Center, take a guided tour of historic Timberline Lodge or visit Warm Springs Museum on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
TOURING THE AREA
While you’re staying at Mt Hood Cabins, you can ride the rails from Hood River to Parkdale on the scenic Mt. Hood Railroad.
You can take a driving tour of the Barlow Trail to see Oregon Trail sites and the Mt Hood Scenic Loop to see Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge (including Multnomah Falls and Bonneville Dam) make good day-trips. We have a driving tour CD featuring the Barlow Trail available to purchase or borrow.
MT HOOD TRAILS
There are many Mountain Bike trails in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Our sports storage lockers are a great place to park your bike.
Hiking is a favored spring and fall activity with a large variety of trails to choose from. Don’t forget to check out our seasonal Hiking Package to save during your staying at Mt Hood Cabins. Remember a Mt Hood Forest Pass is needed to park at trail heads. Contact Zigzag Ranger District at 503-622-3191 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/ for more information.
You can hike the trail around Trillum Lake and feast on the awesome views of Mt. Hood and its reflection in the lake, hike up to Mirror Lake and past to Tom, Dick and Harry Ridge for a view of Government Camp and to pick wild huckleberries late in the summer, or meander the Lower Salmon River Trail in an old growth forest with the sound of the rushing river.
OTHER POPULAR
MT HOOD TRAILS INCLUDE:
Wildcat Mountain
Wildwood Recreation Area
Salmon Butte
Central Salmon River
Hunchback Mountain
Devils Peak Lookout
Burnt Lake
Cast Lake
Ramona Falls
Little Zigzag Falls
Pioneer Bridle Path
McNeil Point
Mazama Trail
Lost Lake
West Zigzag Mountain
Laurel Hill
Elk Meadows
Umbrella Falls
Salmon River Trails
Tamawanas Falls
Devils Peak
Paradise Park