8 Adventurous Things To Do In Mount Hood, Oregon During The Summer Season

Post Summary: Awesome Things to do in Mount Hood Oregon For a Weekend

Ready to escape the summer heat for the cool Pacific Northwest forest? Mount Hood is the perfect place to do just that!

From easy Portland day trips to long weekend vacations, there are plenty of adventurous things to do in Mount Hood.

This area of Oregon is filled with classic Pacific Northwest landscapes and some of the most iconic destinations in the state.

We recently visited in June 2021, and had the most incredible time!

Rhododendrons in the Mount Hood National Forest

In this post, we’re sharing what to do in Mount Hood during the summer season!

This post includes hikes, waterfalls, lakes, accommodations, and more! Keep scrolling because we’re providing a free downloadable Mount Hood weekend itinerary for your next trip to Oregon.

Things to do in Mount Hood Oregon during the summer season

Best Mount Hood Vacation rentals - Niksen House

1. Stay At Niksen House

Niksen House is a family cabin and Airbnb in Mount Hood. There are plenty of Mount Hood vacation rentals out there, but we found this one to have the perfect location!

It is perfectly tucked away among the lush green Pacific Northwest forest and also within driving distance of trailheads, restaurants, and lakes. Personally, we think it’s one of the most stylish Mount Hood vacation rentals in the area too!

This Scandinavian-inspired cabin in Mount Hood can host 5 guests, and has amenities like outdoor dining, a fire pit area, an indoor fireplace, streaming services, and local coffee for brewing your morning cup.

There is also river access a few blocks away from the cabin if you wanted to cool down after a hot day of exploring all the things to do in Mount Hood.

Berty Mandagie standing at Ramona Falls, Oregon

2. Hike To Ramona Falls

Ramona Falls trail is one of the most magical waterfalls and the coolest hikes in Oregon!

This 3.5-mile out and back loop (7 miles total) in the Mount Hood National Forest gradually climbs into the mountains alongside rhododendrons, towering trees, and lush forest growth. With a river cross and view of Mount Hood in the distance, there isn’t ever a boring stretch of this trail!

At the end, you are greeted with the 120-foot-tall Ramona Falls, cascading down a series of moss-covered boulders for a classic Pacific Northwest experience.

Cool things to do in Mount Hood - hiking

3. More Mount Hood Hiking Trails

Hiking is one of the most common and popular things to do in Mount Hood. Between the Mount Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge, there is an abundance of waterfalls, lookouts, alpine lakes, and camps to explore!

Looking for more hikes in Mount Hood? Here are some of the most popular trails to check out:

Hike a Section of the Pacific Crest Trail
Take the Mirror Lake Loop Trail (4.2 miles)
McNeil Point Trail (8.5 miles)
Bald Mountain From Lolo Pass (6.7 miles)
Government Camp Loop Hiking Trail (5.2 miles)

Timberline Lodge at night — Photo courtesy of Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon

4. Check out the Timberline Lodge

The historic Timberline Lodge is a ski resort and base for outdoor adventures in Mount Hood. Sitting at 6,000 feet in elevation, it’s one of the most popular places in Oregon to explore the alpine mountain environment.

Here, you can rent a room in the lodge for a snowy weekend at the slopes, host your wedding, or simply come up for the day and enjoy its grandeur!

Built in 1937 during The Great Depression, it is now declared a National Historic Landmark as of 1977. Learn more about the history of the Timberline Lodge here.

If you love learning about the people and events of the past, you might also like the Mount Hood Cultural Center. This museum is located in Government Camp, Oregon, and shares stories about the history of forestry, skiing, natural history, and the communities that shaped the mountain today.

Things To Do in Mount Hood - Go fishing at Trillium Lake

5. Take A Dip at Trillium Lake

Just a short drive from the town of Government Camp is Trillium Lake. This lake is a popular camping and fishing spot for locals and visitors alike – the views of Mount Hood are absolutely incredible! It’s also one of the coolest Oregon photography locations.

The lake sits at about 3,600 feet in elevation and the camping sites are shaded by evergreen trees for a great combination of sun and shade on a summer day.

Come with your kayak or paddleboard to explore the water! Trillium Lake is a very family-friendly spot, with lots of opportunities to recreate by the water’s edge. Day use is $10 per vehicle, and camping costs $23 per night. Reserve a spot here at Recreation.gov to plan your next camping trip in Mount Hood!

6. Take The Tamanawas Falls Trail

The easy 3.4-mile trail to Tamanawas Falls makes it an extremely popular hike in Mount Hood for beginners and families.

It’s also convenient for those coming from the Hood River and Columbia River Gorge area.

The trail only has about 550 feet in elevation gain, meaning the hike follows along the bottom of Cold Spring Creek, with lush wildflowers and lush forest floor to line your path.

Recently, this trail has seen more use than normal in the past few years. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Mount Hood!

If you want fewer people along the trail with you, come on a weekday in the early morning! Finally, don’t rely on the trailhead garbage cans – be prepared with your own trash bag and take away any litter you produce!

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls - what to do in Mount Hood, Oregon — Columbia River Gorge

7. More Mount Hood Waterfalls (+ Columbia River Gorge)

There are plenty of cool waterfalls on Mount Hood, and waterfalls in the Colombia River Gorge! Here are some others to check out on your Mount Hood Weekend Itinerary.

Sahale Falls and Umbrella Falls
Little ZigZag Falls
Pup Creek Falls
Hole-In-The-Wall Falls
Mosier Falls
Starvation Creek Falls
Dry Creek Falls
Elowa Falls
Upper McCord Creek Falls

Nearby Washington Hike: Falls Creek Falls Trail in Washington

8. Take A Drive on the Mount Hood Scenic Loop

Don’t have a lot of time to visit Mount Hood? Consider taking the Mount Hood Scenic Loop! This is a perfect route for people who are taking a much larger Oregon road trip.

This scenic byway begins in Fairview/Gresham and ends in Hood River, Oregon. Throughout, you can expect to stop at locations not too far off the highway, including the town of Sandy, Timberline Lodge, and Barlow Pass. You can even add the Hood River Fruit Loop for a tasty end to your drive!

This is a popular option for people taking a much larger trip around the PNW! If you are coming from the airport (PDX), stop by one of the Oregon Welcome Centers (there is one in the airport!) and grab some free travel guides before you embark.

Berty Mandagie taking some Mount Hood hiking trails

Not Ready To Leave Oregon?

There is so much more to do in the state of Oregon! If you’re not ready to leave the state just yet, here are some more Oregon itineraries and road trip routes. We hope you’re inspired to extend your trip just a few more days!

The Ultimate Eastern Oregon Road Trip Route: Come explore the deserts of Eastern Oregon in this incredible 1-week itinerary! This post covers the Owyhee Canyon, hidden hot springs, Hells Canyon, and so many more beautiful spots in Oregon!

15 Awesome Day Trips From Portland, Oregon: Don’t have enough time to take an overnight trip to Mount Hood? You can easily do it as a day trip from Portland! In this post, we’re sharing the best trips from the city, including everything from the mountains to the coast.

30 awesome things to do in Washington State: Head north to Washington state! The evergreen state isn’t far away at all, and the outdoor opportunities just seem to open wide! Come check out iconic national parks (Mount Rainier and Olympic NP are nearby!) or simply hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for even more gorgeous PNW waterfalls.

Drive the Columbia River Highway: The historic Columbia River Highway spans 74 miles between Troutdale and The Dalles. Along this easy day trip from Portland are numerous Oregon waterfalls, vista points, and hiking trails. Don’t forget to stop at the iconic Multnomah Falls, actually one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon!