Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Mt. Hood National Forest adventure.
Explore mountains, lakes, hot springs, and hiking trails in this expansive forest near Portland.
Stretching from the Oregon-Washington border on the Columbia River and extending south to snow-capped Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood National Forest has long been popular with Oregonians looking to get out in nature. The hiking opportunities are hard to beat, with miles of trails traversing over a million acres of wilderness, plus plenty of options for camping, rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, and boating. Winters are equally magical, and popular activities include skiing, snowboarding, and even just relaxing by the fire at the historic Timberline Lodge in the Mount Hood town of Government Camp.
Mt. Hood National Forest is at its most pleasant between the months of July and September, when temperatures tend to be warm and rainfall is limited. If you want good weather without the crowds, come after Labor Day, when Oregon kids are back in school. However, be aware that August and September are wildfire season, and if the risk is high, your campsite reservation may get canceled. May and June are also possibilities for visits, but you’re more likely to encounter rainfall and some parts of the forest may still be blanketed with snow.