Exploring Mt Hood in 1 day: top things to see and do
Mount Hood is an active volcano that is the 4th highest mountain in the Cascade Range and the highest in the state of Oregon. Mount Hood is considered the Oregon volcano most likely to erupt in the next 30 years. In wintertime, it is a very popular ski area but also during the other months, there is a lot to do in Mount Hood National Forest. It’s located about 50 miles (80 km) outside of Portland making it perfect for a day trip.
Planning your Mount Hood Day trip
Getting to Mount Hood
Mount Hood is about a 1.5-hour drive from Portland and 4 hours from Seattle. You can fly to Portland International Airport and rent a car. We rented our car through AutoEurope and had amazing service. You can find the best deals on Skyscanner or Momondo for flights to Portland.
Best times to visit Mount Hood
If you like hiking, the best periods to visit Mount Hood are summer and fall (mid-July until the end of September). The lower elevation trails such as Tamanawas Falls can be snow-free by early July while there can be snow on the higher elevation trails like those around Timberline Lodge well into July. The best way to know the trail conditions is to use Alltrails and the reviews by recent hikers.
If you like winter sports, then winter is of course the best period to visit Mount Hood. During spring, winter lovers can still enjoy the snow at the higher elevations while tulips color the valley.
Entrance and fees
If you want to do some hikes in Mt Hood between May 1 and October 31, there is a high chance you will need to buy a National Forest Day Pass, which is $5. You can buy these at the ranger station when entering the park. Here you can see an overview of the trailheads where a day pass is needed.
The America the Beautiful Pass also covers National Forests, so you can also use this to park at the trailheads.
Where to stay to visit Mt Hood
We stayed in Portland for a few days to also visit Mount St Helens as a day trip. Our hotel was not good, so I can’t recommend it. There are however a lot of hotels in Portland or even close to Mt Hood to choose from.
Food and drinks
In Mount Hood Village there are shops and restaurants, so you can get food there. We chose to pack our lunch so we were free to explore Mount Hood without having to worry about finding food. We stayed in Portland, where there is a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. We had Raisin Canes one night and went to Deschutes Brewery another night. At the brewery, they don’t only serve delicious beer but the food is also very good! A must when in Portland.
Top things to do in Mt Hood
If you only are spending a day at Mt Hood, it is best to decide beforehand what you want to see and which hikes you want to do.
Visit the Mount Hood Cultural Center & Museum
We always visit a visitor center: you learn a lot about the history and the area. And it is also the perfect place to get some souvenirs. In the museum, you see a large collection of Mount Hood-related objects. There are 6 main galleries each with a part of the collection. And if you are still unsure about what hikes to do, they are very happy to tell you more about the possibilities.
Explore the best Mount Hood Hikes
There are about 1000 miles (1600 km) of hiking trails in Mount Hood, ranging from leisure walks to multi-day hikes. A part of the Pacific Crest Trail also crosses Mount Hood. When you visit Mount Hood in summer, parking at trailheads can be hard, especially on summer weekends. It is best to arrive as early as possible (before 9 am) if you want a parking spot.
We managed to do 2 hikes while we were there for the day.
Tamanawas Falls
Distance: 5.5k (3.6 miles) out & back
Elevation gain: 177m (581ft)
Difficulty: moderate
Trail Guide: Alltrails
For this hike, you will need a day pass year-round. At the end of September, this was a hike with not a lot of people. It’s relatively easy but there are some loose rocks along the way. And you will need to scramble up and down some rocks. You can go relatively close to the waterfall and can even go behind it. The rocks are very slippery, so be careful!
Mirror Lake
Distance: 6.8k (4.2 miles) out& back
Elevation gain: 205m (673ft)
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Trail Guide: Alltrails
This is a very chill and easy hike to Mirror Lake. If you are lucky, you can get a beautiful reflection in the lake and the mountain in the back. It was cloudy when we were there but still a very peaceful hike to end the day. The 6.8k is with a round around the lake.
Some other hikes that are worth it:
- Ramona Falls ( 11.4k/7.1miles – 319m/1000ft elevation gain): easy/moderate hike
- Timberline Lodge to Zigzag Canyon ( 7.6k/4.7 miles – 270m/880 ft elevation gain): moderate hike
- Elk Meadows ( 9.2k/5.7miles – 332m/1050ft elevation gain): moderate hike
- Lookout Mountain ( 4.5k/2.6 miles – 171m/550ft elevation gain): easy hike
Visit the historic Mt Hood Timberline Lodge
The Timberline Lodge is a mountain lodge on the south side of Mount Hood and was constructed from 1936 to 1938. The lodge and its grounds are part of a ski resort with the longest skiing season in the US: it is open 12 months of the year. In 2024, there was a fire in the lodge but it caused minor damage.
Movie enthusiasts will know the Timberline Lodge from The Shining. Only exterior views of the Lodge were used in the film. It is worth going inside the lodge: it is simply stunning to see. It’s not only a beautiful building but there is also a restaurant and you can also book a room (Booking / Trip.com).
Some safety tips
Mount Hood is an active volcano, so make sure you check warnings before visiting. There is also avalanche activity on the mountain, so check road conditions, avalanche warnings, and weather forecast before starting your hikes.
When taking a break for a snack or using one of Mt. Hood’s picnic areas, remember to pack out all your trash. Preserve the beauty by adhering to the principle: Take only memories, leave only footprints.
Essential Safety Tips for Exploring Mt. Hood:
- Drive Safely: Roads near Mt. Hood can be bustling with hikers, wildlife, and changing conditions. Always maintain a safe speed, and when mist envelops the mountain, drive cautiously to navigate the reduced visibility.
- Dress for the Elements: The weather can change rapidly. Wear layered clothing, and sturdy hiking boots, and pack an extra layer to be ready for unexpected shifts in temperature or precipitation.
- Stay on Designated Trails: Protect yourself and the fragile mountain ecosystem by sticking to marked paths. Straying off-trail can lead to accidents and environmental damage.
- Prepare for Limited Cell Service: Many areas around Mt. Hood lack mobile coverage. Download hiking maps and Google Maps in advance, and carry a power bank to ensure your devices stay charged.
- Traveling Solo? Let friends or family know your itinerary so someone is aware of your plans and can assist if needed.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy Mt. Hood’s splendor while staying safe and helping to preserve its pristine environment for generations to come.
Must-have gear for your Mt Hood hikes
Sturdy hiking shoes are essential for any trek, and hiking poles can be invaluable if needed. Always bring the 10 essentials, especially for longer or less-traveled hikes:
- Navigation: map, compass and GPS
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat
- Insulation: jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, and thermal underwear
- Illumination: flashlight, lantern, headlamp (and extra batteries)
- First-aid kit
- Fire: matches, lighters, fire starters
- Repair kit: duct tape and a multi-tool
- Nutrition: food (preferably no-cook items with good nutritional value like trail mix and granola bars)
- Hydration: water and water treatment supplies
- Emergency shelter: tent, tarp, emergency space blanket
Is Mount Hood worth the visit for 1 day?
Absolutely! Mount Hood is the perfect destination for a day: beautiful hikes or winter adventures and visiting the beautiful Timberline Lodge. There is something to do for everyone.
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