Fall in Mt. Hood Territory means cozy cabins, crisp air, and adventures surrounded by the gorgeous autumn colors. Here’s some ideas for you to enjoy fall in the region this season!
Stay in a cozy cabin or tiny house: Visitors can choose from 100s of vacation rentals spread throughout the Mt. Hood National Forest. For those looking for an even more original experience, try one of the tiny houses available to rent at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village. Each home has its own décor and charm, and also features a campfire pit right outside the door. No matter what you’re looking for, there is a perfect place for every group size and family.
Explore Oregon Trail history: The Barlow Toll Road around Mt. Hood offered Oregon Trail pioneers a more direct route to the Willamette Valley than floating the river. You can still see the wagon ruts, called swales, where the pioneers traveled. No matter the distance you decide to hike, it’ll be fun for your family to follow in the footsteps of those pioneers. Make sure to visit the West Barlow Tollgate, between mileposts 50 and 51, on Highway 26. This is a replica of the last tollgate on Laurel Hill.
Cycle the Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway: The Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway parallels the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Clackamas River. This route stretches 70-miles from Estacada to Detroit. Along the ride visitors will enjoy views of the river, rapids, waterfalls, hot springs and lakes. The first 12 miles from Estacada offers a family friendly route and is an excellent option for getting on the road together.
Hike amazing trails: There are more than 1,000 miles of trails throughout Mt. Hood Territory. The Trails Guide highlights 12 lesser known hikes, which range from beginner to more difficult. One great hike that offers an incredible view of Mt. Hood with an alpine lake is the Burnt Lake Trail. This trek includes old growth forests, creeks and a waterfall. Just make sure to hit the higher elevation hikes before the snow arrives!
Drive to incredible views: If you want to see the trees changing colors throughout Mt. Hood Territory, and cover the most ground as possible, there are plenty of viewpoints along our roads. Jonsrud Viewpoint in Sandy overlooks the Sandy River and is one of the premier locations to watch the sun rise, or head to Milo McIver State Park and watch the fog roll along the Clackamas River below Mt. Hood.
