From the 11,245-foot peak of its most recognized landmark, majestic Mt. Hood, to the fertile Willamette Valley farms where homegrown specialties include tulips, berries, Christmas trees and wines, Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory is ripe with activities to be explored. Area offerings include historic tales stretching back to Pioneer days along the Oregon Trail and the Barlow Road, an abundance of festivals and events, diverse lodging and tax-free shopping. Year-round recreation for all skill levels stretches from the mountain (skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing) to rivers and lakes (white-water rafting, kayaking, fishing and swimming), trails (mountain biking, hiking, climbing and horseback riding) and other activities such as golfing and camping.
Defined by the borders of Clackamas County, this scenic region includes the following incorporated cities: Canby, Clackamas, Estacada, Gladstone, Happy Valley, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Molalla, Oregon City, Sandy, West Linn, Wilsonville, and the Villages of Mt. Hood (Government Camp, Welches, Brightwood, Rhododendron and Zigzag).
Stay + Eat
Stay
Whether you’re looking for a place to base your adventures or a cozy spot to kick back and relax, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory has a variety of places to stay to fit your needs. From a historic lodge, to hotels conveniently located along I-5 and I-205, to vacation rentals including a tiny home or a grand lodge on Mt. Hood, we have one-of-a-kind lodging options for every style and budget.
Eat
From some of Oregon’s best craft breweries to sprawling vineyards, crisp autumn apples to farm-to-table fare, Mt. Hood Territory is a bounty of delicious food and drink for you to enjoy. Feast at elegant restaurants near Portland, charming cafés of the Willamette Valley and the authentic ambiance of Mt. Hood's alpine gathering places.
Recreation
From the snow-capped peak of Mt. Hood, to the trails of Mt. Hood National Forest, to the rivers and lakes that wind their way to the Willamette Valley, there’s no shortage of places to play in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory. Find a few of our favorite activities below.
Biking
Pump up your tires and pedal Mt. Hood Territory for a complete cycling vacation. Meander road-cycling paths through historic river valleys, past vineyards and along ridge-top panoramas. Rent a bike and tour historic sites and breweries in town. Or, for those thrill-seekers, grit your teeth on gut-wrenching technical mountain bike trails.
Climbing/Mountaineering
Mt. Hood is the second most climbed mountain in the world and attracts more than 10,000 climbers annually. Mt. Hood and its surrounding Territory offer climbing for every type of climber. The options include an indoor rock wall, outdoor bouldering, sport, trad, and multi-pitch climbs, alpine climbing and high-altitude mountaineering and even ice and mixed climbing. The 11,245’ summit is reached via a number of technical routes and can be done as independent groups or with a guide service. Best conditions are spring to early summer.
Fishing
Mt. Hood Territory is home to some of the best fishing near Portland. Lakes, rivers and streams teem with salmon, steelhead, trout and small mouth bass. Find superb fishing in The Territory year round from boat or bank, including winter steelhead and spring Chinook. Novice and expert anglers alike can choose from a variety of outfitters, guides and resources – such as The Territory’s Fish Finder – to get geared up for and locate your intended catch.
Snow Play
Mt. Hood is a jolly good place to play in the winter – for families and extreme adventurers alike. Timberline Lodge and Ski Area offers the longest ski season in North America, and Mt. Hood Skibowl boasts the largest night ski area in the US. Ski, snowboard, go snowmobiling, trek on snowshoe or cross country ski. Rent gear or take a lesson from guides and outfitters. Treat the kids to tubing, cosmic tubing, sledding, or a snowball fight. Don’t forget to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate at the end of the day.
Trails
Mt. Hood Territory offers trails for visitors of all experience levels. Discover breathtaking landscapes, scenic views, fields of wildflowers, top-notch bird watching, spectacular waterfalls and snow-covered high-mountain meadows.
Water Play
Explore the closest whitewater rafting and kayaking to Portland, Oregon, on Mt. Hood Territory’s seven rivers and more than 40 lakes. Learn to kayak, try stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga, rent paddling gear or sign up for a guided trip. Take an exhilarating jetboat ride or slow down with riverbank fishing or a soak at Bagby Hot Springs.
Agritourism, Wineries & Farms
Come experience our country pleasures. The rolling countryside of the North Willamette Valley and scenic vistas of Mt. Hood are truly a feast for the senses during any season. Spring and summer blooms spectacular colors of fabulous flowers, nursery products, and lush green fields. Autumn paints a colorful display of fall foliage and bright orange pumpkins welcome the perfect pumpkin picks. The holiday season invites a trip to the farm for creating memories of the family's U-cut Christmas tree.
Winery
Mt. Hood Territory invites you to explore its many wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms. Download the Mt. Hood Territory Wine Trail, a free mobile passport that gets you deals at 16 unique tasting rooms. Try Oregon Pinot noir, Pinot gris, fruit and berry wines, and a variety of other red and white wines. Many boutique wineries are open only on special weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving) or by appointment, so plan ahead.
Brewery
Download the Mt. Hood Territory Tap Trail to make the most of our craft beverage scene. The free mobile passport gets you discounts at 15 breweries, cideries and a distillery throughout the region. Our breweries are the perfect bookend to a full day of recreating. Wrap up a day of Mt. Hood skiing, hiking, or biking with beer brewed with Mt. Hood glacial water or the “magical waters” of the Clackamas River.
Farm Store
A jar of huckleberry jam, a warm alpaca scarf, or a fragrant sachet of dried lavender -- these are just a few examples of the unique gifts you can purchase at a local farm store in Mt. Hood Territory. These one-of-a-kind hand-crafted items are a great reminder of your time in Mt. Hood Territory or make unique gifts to take home to friends and family.
U-Pick Farms
Once called “The Promised Land” by Oregon Trail pioneers, Mt. Hood Territory is bursting with fruit fields, farm stands, and U-pick farms. Drive our Farm Loops or jump on your bike and follow one of the Oregon bike trails to a nearby farm. Stop by one of our many U-Pick farms for your fill of blueberries, apples, zucchinis and lavender, among other crops. Worried that U-picking is just for summer and spring time? Think again! We also have some of the best U-pick Christmas tree farms and pumpkin patches in Oregon.
Arts, Heritage & Culture
From Indie-Roots music Festival "Pickathon" to the multi-day "Festival of the Arts" to generations of rich pioneer heritage, Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory has stories old and new to share. Native Americans settled in the foothills of Mt. Hood and throughout the fertile river valleys thousands of years before homesteaders made their way over the Oregon Trail and Barlow Road with the promise of "Free land in Oregon." Explore the paths that the original pioneers traveled. Take a trip like no other as you visit the Heritage Trail filled with historical sites, museums, cultural centers, public art & murals, and festivals held year round.
