Family Vacations in Oregon: Mount Hood

A picture-perfect mountain, Mount Hood is a visual reminder to city dwellers in Portland that the great outdoors is just a short drive away -- 47 miles east, to be exact. At 11,239 feet above sea level, the peak is the fourth highest in the Cascade Range. Like all of its Cascade brethren, Mount Hood is a volcano, and an active one at that. It erupted twice in the mid-1800s and has had at least four eruptive periods in the last 15,000 years. The volcanic cone atop the mountain is dominated by snow and ice, with glaciers and snowfields shrouding it year-round.

­Mount Hood, Oregon.
Oregon's Mount Hood is one of the few mountains where skiers can hit the slopes
in the middle of summer.

Mount Hood is a recreational paradise, with popular ski resorts, hiking routes, and backcountry trails. The historic Timberline Lodge is perched at 6,000 feet above sea level and fills to capacity during ski season -- which sometimes goes all year long.

To find out about visiting Oregon's Newberry National Volcanic Monument, continue reading.

Mount Hood Information

Address: Mt. Hood Information Center, 65000 E. Hwy. 26, Welches, OR
Telephone: 503/622-4822, 888/622-4822

To learn more about family vacation destinations, see:

  • Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
  • Portland City Guide: Find out where to stay, what to do, and where to eat when you visit Portland.
  • Oregon State Guide: Learn about Mobil Travel Guide-rated hotels and restaurants in Oregon, as well as other recreational activities.
  • Scenic Drives: For those who think that getting there is half the fun, we have compiled more than 100 of the most scenic drives throughout the country.