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The trails in Mt. Hood National Forest offer great summertime views of Mt. Hood’s summit.
Credit: MtHoodTerritory.com

Mount Hood

Located 90 minutes from Portland, Oregon's tallest peak offers four seasons of fun.

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The trails in Mt. Hood National Forest offer great summertime views of Mt. Hood’s summit.
Credit: MtHoodTerritory.com

Mount Hood offers scenic recreation ranging from camping, hiking and fishing to nearly year-round skiing. Whether you’re hitting the slopes, exploring the mountain’s miles of trails or cozying up to a fireplace, Mount Hood offers seemingly endless opportunity for adventure. This guide includes things to do and ways to experience Mount Hood. Read on to learn more.

Mt. Hood Territory Visitors Guide

Prepare for your trip to Mt. Hood Territory with this guide to the area's sightseeing, parks, events, historical attractions, lodging and more.

Get the Guide

Traveling to Mount Hood

Getting to Mount Hood from Portland’s downtown will take a little less than two hours by car. The mountain is approximately 70 miles (113 km) away and there are two route options: Interstate 84 through the Columbia River Gorge or Highway 26. Either way, you’ll get to the Mount Hood Scenic Byway, a breathtaking route around the edge of the mountain. Those who prefer not to drive themselves can take an organized day trip or shuttle.

Public transportation is available, too, although the trip will take at least three hours. From Portland, riders can take the bus or MAX light rail to Gresham Transit Center. From there, the Sandy Area Metro takes riders from Gresham to Sandy, where the Mount Hood Express bus will take them the rest of the way.

One of Oregon’s prime points of interest, Mount Hood is located approximately 90 minutes outside of Portland on the border between Clackamas and Hood River counties. Mount Hood stands at 11,239 feet (3,425 meters). It is the highest point and mountain peak in the state of Oregon, and the second most-climbed mountain in the world (second only to Japan’s holy Mt. Fujiyama).

More About Mount Hood

What is Mount Hood known for?

Standing at 11,239 feet (3,425 meters), Mount Hood is the highest point in Oregon and the fourth highest peak in the Cascade Range. Mount Hood is also well-known for its geology, history, natural environment, and culture, as these characteristics have not only helped to shape northwest Oregon but the entire Pacific Northwest.

Is Mount Hood worth visiting?

We sure think so! Mount Hood is a major point of interest for locals and travelers alike. Located in Mount Hood National Forest, this dormant volcano offers hiking trails, spots for camping and fishing, and nearly year-round skiing. Our 24 Hours on Mount Hood guide offers more information on things to do and see when visiting.

What is it like to ski on Mount Hood in the summer?

Although Mount Hood provides opportunities for nearly year-round skiing, each season offers a different experience. In the summer months,
Timberline Lodge is the place to be, as it runs the longest ski and snowboard season in North America. During spring and into summer, operations transition off the lower mountain and up to two chairlifts: Magic Mile and Palmer. Usually, by Memorial Day, only those two lifts remain open to access the slopes. 

Starting June 1, skiers and snowboarders can usually get daily access to these two chairlifts. Snow conditions and weather dictate which chairs operate. As summer progresses, the Palmer Snowfield offers a thin ribbon of snow that descends to the parking lots and is open through August. The terrain available for the public in summer is limited due to the number of ski camps that train in lanes groomed onto the slope. At least one lane is reserved for the public.

This so-called mountain is actually a dormant stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. Mount Hood’s last major eruption was September 21, 1865. Today, it is mostly a place for enjoying outdoor recreation. Located inside Mount Hood National Forest, Mount Hood is one of eight wilderness areas. The others are:

24 Hours on Mount Hood

Plan a perfect getaway to Mount Hood, including skiing and snowboarding, with this itinerary.

Hit the slopes

Know Before You Go

Before starting your trip to Mount Hood, check the National Weather Service’s website for up-to-date information on current snow conditions and weather advisories that may be in effect. For current travel advisories and road conditions on the route to Mount Hood, visit the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Trip Check website.

Weather on Mount Hood

Mount Hood receives an average of 55 inches (138 cm) of snowfall each year. It experiences high temperatures of approximately 80º Fahrenheit (27º Celsius) in the summer and lows around 30º Fahrenheit (-1º Celsius) in the winter.

Outdoors, Region

Eat and Play

Kick up your feet and grab some grub after a day of frolicking in the snow.

cars driving on snowy highway towards a snow covered Mount Hood

Winter Sports on Mount Hood

Just a 90-minute drive from downtown, Mount Hood sits right in the city’s backyard and makes for a heck of a winter playground.

a group of people gathered around a campfire on a snowy mountain

Snowshoeing on Mount Hood

Snowshoeing is a peaceful way to enjoy Mount Hood with friends and minimal gear and expense.

people gathered around Skibowl warmng hut

Where to Eat on Mount Hood

Don’t hit the slopes on an empty stomach! This guide dishes on where to fuel up for the day, lunch mid-mountain and relax with pizza and pints après-ski.

5 To Try

Dining on Mount Hood

  • Huckleberry Inn

    Family-run since 1966, the iconic Huckleberry Inn serves up classic diner fare in its downstairs cafe (open 24 hours) and steakhouse. The inn also features 16 cozy guestrooms and dorm-style accommodations for groups.

  • Timberline Lodge

    Located 60 miles east of Portland on Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge is a National Historic Landmark. This ski resort boasts 70 luxuriously rustic rooms and has the longest ski season in North America.

  • High Mountain Cafe

    This Government Camp spot is located near Mt. Hood’s busiest ski resorts and offers classic breakfast and lunch options, like biscuits and gravy. Don’t miss their $5.95 Bloody Mary bar!

  • Ratskeller Alpine Bar & Pizzeria

    Warm up with a bowl of chili, a classic pepperoni or a truly over-the-top pizza, like the buffalo ranch topped with chicken strips, and wash it all down with a PNW microbrew.

  • Mt. Hood Meadows

    Located 90 miles east of Portland, Mount Hood’s largest ski and snowboard resort also offers snowshoeing, hiking and a range of restaurants and bars. Accommodations are available at the nearby Cooper Spur Mountain Resort.

A snow-capped mountain is reflected in a lake with autumn foliage in the foreground

Mount Hood Tours from Portland

Explore Oregon’s highest peak, located 90 minutes from Portland, with Mount Hood tours from these local operators.

TAKE A TOUR

Places to Stay on Mount Hood

For an epic Hood experience, you don’t need crampons and ice axes — or to even leave your room. Here’s a look at some of the mountain’s unique lodging options.

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