A Road Trip On The Mt. Hood Scenic Byway
Use These Ideas To Plan Your Ultimate Summer Road Trip In Oregon
Start your summer adventure on Mt. Hood with a visit to Government Camp, where cool alpine air offers a refreshing escape from the valley heat. Then spend the next few days slowly descending through forests and rivers, stopping at roadside attractions and enjoying small-town charm before ending your road trip in Boring, a town that proudly proves it’s anything but boring. This route is part of the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway and along the way you’ll experience the best of Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory, from mountain views and historic lodges to scenic hikes, local food stops and unique attractions.
Day 1: Government Camp And The Upper Mt. Hood Area
Begin your Mt. Hood road trip in the alpine village of Government Camp. Originally a mountain outpost for travelers crossing the Cascades, today it’s a year-round recreation hub filled with cozy lodges, outdoor outfitters, cafes and plenty of trailheads.
Summer is one of the best times to visit the mountain because long daylight hours and mild temperatures make it easy to spend the entire day adventuring. Start your day at the Mt. Hood Museum and Cultural Center, where exhibits tell the history of skiing on Mt. Hood and how this area became known for recreation. There’s also exhibits on the US Forest Service and the Barlow Road of the Oregon Trail, plus a bookstore, gift shop and visitor information services.
No visit to Mt. Hood is complete without a stop at Timberline Lodge. Built during the Great Depression and designated a National Historic Landmark, the iconic lodge sits at 6,000 feet on Mt. Hood and offers panoramic mountain views, a massive stone fireplace and incredible architecture. Even if you’re not staying overnight, wandering the lodge and grabbing lunch or a drink inside is part of the Mt. Hood experience.
Walking through Timberline Lodge is like stepping back in time.
Spend the afternoon exploring nearby trails or scenic viewpoints. Because of the higher elevation, wildflowers don’t begin to bloom until mid-summer along the trails. For a great experience, take a guided hike with Mt. Hood Outfitters and learn about the history and geography of the area, as well as the flora and fauna. It’s the perfect activity for families escaping the summer heat.
After your hike, cool off by grabbing a huckleberry milkshake at the Huckleberry Inn, or relax on the patio at Mt. Hood Brewery where their craft beverages are all made with glacier water right from Mt. Hood.
Spend the night at Collins Lake Resort in Government Camp so you can fully enjoy the slower pace of mountain life. Collins Lake offers vacation rentals, private chalets and lodges, each with their own custom charm. Guests also have access to an outdoor pool and a 25-person hot tub. Choose from mountain, creek or forest views.
How much of Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory can you uncover? Whether you’re mapping out a long weekend or building a multi-stop itinerary, this part of Oregon offers scenic drives, charming towns and outdoor adventures that reward exploration at every turn. Make it fun with a game of Bingo on your road trip.
Day 2: The Villages Of Mt. Hood
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading across the road to Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl. The Adventure Park is Oregon's most exciting summer attraction, with the highlight being the state's only half-mile dual alpine slide. Other attractions include go-karts, ziplines, bungee jump, treetop rope tour, disc golf and rock climbing. You’ll have fun as you experience their 20+ attractions.
Next, head west along Highway 26 to The Villages of Mt. Hood. Communities like Welches, Zigzag and Rhododendron offer a quieter side of the mountain with riverside cabins, towering evergreens and easy access to outdoor recreation. This stretch of highway feels especially beautiful in summer. Rivers run clear from snowmelt higher on the mountain, forests provide cool shade and outdoor patios fill with travelers enjoying the warm weather.
The Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl offers fun activities and incredible views.
Wildwood Recreation Site offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a natural stream and wetlands from accessible boardwalks and interpretive trails. The Cascade Streamwatch Trail is a 3/4-mile paved loop where visitors can see young salmon and steelhead through a viewing window in a stream. The site also provides river access and a great way to beat the heat by playing in the water.
Grab dinner at one of the variety of restaurants in The Villages of Mt. Hood, which feature world cuisines like Mexican at Chicali Cantina, Asian fusion at Koya Kitchen or classic burgers and wraps at Wraptitude. For a unique stay, try the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, the base for seven tiny homes each with their own unique personality and style. Guests also enjoy access to the indoor pool at the Mt. Hood Village RV Resort & Campground.
Day 3: Sandy And Boring
Your final day takes you into the lower foothills of Mt. Hood Territory and the wonderfully named town of Boring. Though visitors often stop for the name alone, Boring has become a fun and unexpected destination.
One of the town’s biggest draws is the North American Bigfoot Center, a quirky and fascinating attraction dedicated to Sasquatch lore and Pacific Northwest legends. It’s equal parts museum, roadside attraction and photo stop, making it especially fun for families and road trippers. Dozens of displays feature a wide array of bigfoot evidence and historical artifacts. It's a must-visit for believers and skeptics alike.
Meet Murphy the Bigfoot at the North American Bigfoot Center.
Head back into Sandy to grab lunch downtown. Try AntFarm Cafe and Bakery, a nonprofit organization that has a priority to bring fresh, local and healthy food to the area while supporting local youth through service work, tutoring, life skills and employment.
Browse local shops before exploring nearby scenic spots. One of the most popular viewpoints nearby is Jonsrud Viewpoint, it boasts a stunning panoramic view of Mt. Hood towering above the Sandy River Valley. On a clear summer day, it’s one of the region’s best photo opportunities.
Over the course of just a few days, you’ve traveled from alpine scenery and historic mountain lodges to forest highways, scenic river valleys and charming communities. That remarkable contrast is what makes this summer road trip so memorable. In Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory, every curve in the road reveals something new and sometimes the best adventures happen when you simply slow down and enjoy the drive.
