Things To Do In Mt. Hood – Mt. Hood Area Guide
Mt. Hood, Oregon
Located just 90 minutes from Portland, Mt. Hood offers four seasons of fun from camping, hiking, fishing, golfing, mountain biking, and of course skiing. Many activities are centers around the main ski areas on the mountain – including Government Camp, Mt. Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, and Timberline Lodge. Whether you are hitting the slopes, exploring miles of trails, or cozying up by the fireplace at your Meredith Lodging vacation rental, we guarantee you will have a mountain of fun at Oregon’s tallest peak!
Ready to plan your next Mt. Hood adventure getaway? We’ve got your covered with our “Best of Mt. Hood” list with some of our favorite things to do.
Family-Friendly Winter Activities
Skiers and snowboarders can choose from Mt. Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood Skibowl, and Timberline. Meadows has trails for all levels, and offers 11 lifts, 85 runs, and a three-mile uninterrupted downhill stretch. Skibowl boasts the largest night ski area in the country. Timberline is as popular for its relaxing and historic lodge as for its runs that are open 10 months of the year. Speed seekers will love sledding or tubing down the slopes. Our favorite downhill thrill is a night of cosmic tubing at Skibowl’s Snow Tube & Adventure Park.
Summer Fun at Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl
Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl offers fun for the entire family. This mountain resort’s summer park offers everything from miles of mountain biking trails to a bungee tower and trampoline, Indy Karts, a rock wall, a Super Kids’ Play Zone, and their infamous ½ mile Alpine Slide.
Family-Friendly Hiking
Tamanawas Falls
Mt. Hood offers an array of wonderful, family-friendly hiking trails. There are many to choose from, but here are some of our favorites. Tamanawas Falls Trail is a moderate, 3.4 out-and-back trail that takes you to a stunning 100 ft tall waterfall. The trail also offers stunning views of Cold Spring Creek.ZigZag Overlook
Starting from Timberline Lodge, the Zigzag Overlook Hike is a popular easy-going, 4.4-mile loop that offers scenic views of the canyon amongst local wildflowers and majestic old-growth forests.Trillium Lake Loop Trail
Trillium Lake Loop Trail offers the perfect hike for families looking for a relaxing way to spend time outdoors while providing picturesque views of Mt. Hood. The 2-mile loop is accessible for strollers and visitors with limited mobility.Get Geared-Up for Canoeing, Kayaking, or SUP
Trillium Lake and Frog Lake are great options for family canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding. You can conveniently rent equipment directly from Mt. Hood Outfitters at Trillium Lake Dam beach. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Head to larger lakes like Clear Lake and Timothy Lake.
Sandy Trail System
The Mt. Hood Area is fast becoming a mountain biking mecca! Mountain biking options range from easy, family-friendly loops for beginners, to intermediate trails through old growth forests, and gnarly downhill trails for adrenaline junkies. There are too many trails to choose from, but here are a few.Cross Town Trail
The Sandy Ridge Trail System offers a course for everyone with more than 20-miles of trails at all levels of difficulty and lengths ranging from .75-mile to five-miles.Mt. Hood Adventure Park Bike Park
Looking to get from one end of Government Camp to the other? Why drive, when you can you mountain bike the 3-mile Cross Town Trail with a 400-foot climb and rolling terrain. And last, but not least – enjoy the view as the 1,500-foot chairlift transports you and your bike up to Mt. Hood Adventure Park’s Bike Park. There are plenty of trails to choose from, for beginners and experts alike.Best Places to Eat and Drink in Mt. Hood
Fuel-up Before Hitting the Mountain at the Dragon Fly Cafe & Bakery
Looking to fuel up before heading up the mountain? This local favorite serves up breakfast classics made with quality and fresh ingredients. Make sure and safe room for their famous cinnamon rolls. They also serve lunch and dinner.Grab a cozy Breakfast at the High Mountain Bakery & Deli
High Mountain Cafe is the go-to spot for breakfast in Government Camp. Enjoy a quick and healthy breakfast in their warm and cozy cafe, or grab-and-go if you are heading out to the slopes or trails for a day of adventure. They offer gourmet coffee and espresso drinks, freshly baked pastries, breakfast burritos, specialty sandwiches, and even a Bloody Mary bar!Fill-up on Pancakes with the Fam at Huckleberry Inn
This family-style restaurant specializes in diner-style breakfast food, such as huckleberry pancakes and delicious hash browns, but they also offer a variety of lunch and dinner items. Make sure to save some room for their famous milkshakes and doughnuts. Come see why this iconic restaurant has been proudly serving locals and visitors for over 50 years!Stay for Happy Hour at the Rendevouz Grill
Hit Happy Hour at “The Vous.” This bar & grill offers farm-fresh fare, 2 patios, homemade desserts, and a rotating wine selection. We love their smoked chicken rigatoni and patty melt with house-made bacon jam, gruyere cheese on Grand Central sour rye.Get Pizza to Go (or Stay!) at the Ratskellar Pizzeria
Come see why this restaurant has been voted “Best “Best Après Ski Bar” in Oregon. Located in the heart of Government Camp, this family friendly pizzeria serves great food, excellent pizza, an ever-changing list of locally brewed craft beers on tap, as well as cocktails crafted in house. Get toasty with the famous White Russian made with fresh vanilla beans, cacao nibs and coffee!Try some Après Ski Craft Beer at The Glacier Public House
Government Camp’s go-to après ski spot provides hearty comfort food with an extensive NW beer and cider list. They also offer vegan and gluten-free options, a kid’s menu, and late-night snacks. Enjoy a hot buttered rum and relax after a long day on the slopes on their large, heated patio. Cheers!Tuck in for Comfort Food and Drink at Charlie’s Mountain View
Proudly serving locals and visitors since 1977, this rustic pub serves comfort food, beer, wine, and cocktails. They also serve daily specials, prime rib with all the fixings on Fridays and Saturdays while supplies last, and breakfast on the weekends.Visit Government Camp’s Popular Mt. Hood Brewing Company
This Government Camp brewery offers Oregon-inspired comfort food and hearty après ski snacks that pair well with their hand-crafted microbrews and cocktails.
Stock up on supplies while staying at your Meredith Lodging vacation rental. This general store carries all the staples, plus a wide selection of gourmet treats, fresh flowers, and an extensive selection of fine wine and beer. You can also shop for Mt. Hood sweatshirts and souvenirs, plus you can grab your Sno-Park permit here in winter.
Choose from a variety of dining options at this stunning and historic lodge, including the upscale and scenic Cascade Dining Room, the modern Wy’East Café and the scenic Y’Bar. Please note that Timberline restaurants are currently providing limited food and beverage options. Hours and menus are subject to change at any time. We encourage you to contact the Lodge directly for more information.
Ready to experience all the magic that Mt. Hood has to offer?
Ready to experience all the adventure and fun to have on Mt. Hood? We are here to help! You can view our entire Mt. Hood rentals collection online at Mt Hood Rentals by Meredith Lodging , on MeredithLodging.com or call our Reservations Team at 877.778.9055 to book your stay. We hope to see you soon! In the meantime, follow us on social and tag those vacay posts #STAYWITHMEREDITH.