Reaching an elevation of 11,240 feet, and capped with several large glaciers, Mount Hood is Oregon’s tallest peak. It lies just an hour’s drive east of Portland, and beckons locals and visitors alike to enjoy its extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. With more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails on and around the mountain, there’s a path for every ability and interest. Several lakes and rivers around the mountain offer swimming, fishing and paddling. For the adventurous, there’s walls for rock climbing, and guided ascents to the mountain’s summit. In winter, the mountain offers four ski areas and numerous Sno-Parks for shushing, sliding and riding down its snowy slopes. Unique to Mount Hood, there’s even summer skiing on the Palmer Snowfield, which is located above the historic Timberline Lodge. Located on the doorstep of the mountain, Mt. Hood Village RV Resort offers a wide selection of year-round camping and lodging options. The resort offers 300 full- and partial-hookup RV sites, as well as a tent camping area, cottages, cabins, yurts and tiny houses. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills, and have access to water faucets, flush restrooms, and shower and laundry facilities. Most sites are shady and wooded; some are situated near small ponds, others are located near the Wild and Scenic Salmon River. The resort also has a small store that sells firewood, treats and essentials, and cafe that offers breakfast, lunch and snack items. Tent and RV sites range from $35–$62/night; yurts, cabins and other accommodations start at $65/night; reservations accepted. For relaxing and recreating in the resort, there’s a wide variety of amenities and activities available, including a kids’ playground, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and game room. There are also picnic areas, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and hiking and biking trails nearby. Guests can also participate in hosted arts and crafts classes, games, karaoke, line dancing and family activities, and meet fellow campers at the community campfire circle. Near the resort are several restaurants, a grocery store and an outdoor gear shop in the town of Rhododendron. Timberline lodge, with its many hiking trails and ski slopes is a 30-minute drive east, just past the village of Government Camp and Mount Hood Skibowl. The popular Mirror Lake hiking trail starts on the west end of Skibowl. Swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and paddling at Trillium Lake is another 15 minutes east.
