Oregon's Volcano, from Glaciers to Orchards in a Single Loop

The Mount Hood Scenic Byway loops around Oregon's highest peak, a dormant 11,250-foot stratovolcano whose glaciered cone dominates the skyline from Portland, 60 miles to the west. From the gateway town of Sandy, US-26 climbs through a million acres of national forest, past century-old Douglas firs and the pioneer wagon ruts of Laurel Hill, to the flanks of the volcano itself at Government Camp. A 6-mile detour climbs to Timberline Lodge at 6,000 feet, a WPA masterwork of stone and timber built during the Depression, where skiing runs nearly year-round on the Palmer Snowfield and the lodge's exterior served as the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. Back on the main route, Trillium Lake offers the postcard reflection of Hood's cone, and the road crests at Bennett Pass (4,674 feet) before descending through birch and pine forest alongside the rushing Hood River to the orchards of the Hood River Valley. The volcanic soils and glacial meltwater make this one of the most prolific fruit-growing regions in the Pacific Northwest, with pears, apples, and cherries blossoming in waves from April through May. The 35-mile Fruit Loop scenic drive threads through orchards, farm stands, wineries, and lavender fields with Mount Hood as a constant backdrop. At Hood River, the byway meets the Columbia River Gorge, where the loop closes west along I-84 or the Historic Columbia River Highway back to Portland.

Key Stops

Sandy The last full-service town before entering the Mount Hood corridor, roughly 25 miles east of Portland on US-26. Fuel, food, gear shops, and the Sandy Historical Museum. East of town, the landscape shifts quickly from farmland to the forested foothills of the Cascades.

Wildwood Recreation Area A 550-acre BLM site on the Salmon River near Welches, featuring the Cascade Streamwatch Trail: a 0.75-mile paved loop with an underwater fish-viewing chamber where visitors watch native steelhead, coho salmon, and trout through a window below stream level. Old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar shade the picnic areas. Open year-round, 8 a.m. to sunset. Free.

Laurel Hill (Oregon Trail Descent) One of the most treacherous obstacles on the entire Oregon Trail: a series of steep declines where pioneers spent days lowering wagons by rope, dragging felled trees as brakes. Saw marks on fallen logs and chain marks on trees from the 1840s are still visible along a short interpretive trail directly off US-26. Free.

Mirror Lake A popular 4.2-mile loop hike (656 feet of elevation gain) beginning at the Skibowl West trailhead on US-26. The lake offers reflections of Mount Hood, and the trail can be extended to the summit of Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain for panoramic views. A Northwest Forest Pass is required May through October; a Sno-Park permit is required November through April.

Mt. Hood Skibowl Directly on US-26 at Government Camp. In winter, Skibowl offers the most extensive night skiing in America. The Summer Adventure Park features Oregon's only half-mile dual Alpine Slide, Indy karts, mountain biking (40-plus miles of trails), bungee jumping, and disc golf. The Adventure Park was closed for summer 2025 and is expected to reopen for summer 2026; check skibowl.com for current status.

Government Camp A small mountain village at 3,900 feet that serves as the recreational hub for Mount Hood. The Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum, gear shops, restaurants, and the Huckleberry Inn (a local landmark) line the business loop. Base for Timberline, Skibowl, and Summit ski areas. Year-round services.

Timberline Lodge (National Historic Landmark) A masterpiece of Cascadian rustic architecture at 6,000 feet, built between 1936 and 1938 by hundreds of WPA craftspeople during the Great Depression. Hand-forged ironwork, hand-woven textiles, carved wood panels, and massive stone fireplaces fill every room. The lodge is open to the public, free to enter and explore; a self-guided art tour is available online. Stanley Kubrick used the exterior as the Overlook Hotel in The Shining (1980), though all interiors were filmed on studio sets in England. Kubrick changed the infamous room from 217 to 237 at the lodge's request; Room 217 remains one of the most requested bookings today. The lodge's resident St. Bernard mascots greet visitors in the lobby. Five dining venues include the Cascade Dining Room (farm-to-table Pacific Northwest cuisine, reservations recommended) and the Ram's Head Bar (fondue, craft beer, views of Mount Jefferson). The Palmer Snowfield above 8,000 feet offers lift-accessed summer skiing from June through Labor Day, the only such experience in North America, giving Timberline the longest ski season on the continent. The Magic Mile chairlift carries sightseers to 7,000 feet for panoramic views from early July through Labor Day.

Trillium Lake Two miles south of Government Camp, this 63-acre lake provides one of the most photographed views in Oregon: Mount Hood's glacier-capped cone perfectly reflected in still water. A 2-mile loop trail circles the lake, and a campground with over 50 sites is reservable through Recreation.gov (approximately $26 per night). Open late May through late September, snow-dependent. Day use approximately $10 per vehicle.

Bennett Pass The high point on OR-35 at 4,674 feet, marking the transition from the dense forests of Hood's south flank to the drier, more open Hood River Valley. In winter, a Sno-Park provides access to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The junction for Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort is nearby.

Panorama Point A drive-up overlook off East Side Road south of Hood River, with views across 15,000 acres of orchards to Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens. Free. Particularly stunning in spring when the orchard trees are in blossom. Closes at 6 p.m.

Hood River Valley Fruit Loop A 35-mile scenic loop through the valley's orchards, farm stands, U-pick farms, cider houses, wineries, and lavender fields. The volcanic soils enriched by Mount Hood's glacial runoff make this one of Oregon's premier growing regions. Cherry season runs June through July; apples and pears peak August through October; blossom season transforms the valley in April and May. Pick up a Fruit Loop map at the Hood River visitor center.

Hood River The windsurfing and kiteboarding capital of the world, where summer thermal winds funnel through the Columbia River Gorge at 25-plus mph. The town has a vibrant craft brewery scene (Full Sail, pFriem, Double Mountain), a charming downtown along Oak Street, and the Mt. Hood Railroad, a heritage excursion train running 44-mile tours through the valley.

Lost Lake (Side Trip) Roughly 25 miles southwest of Hood River, deep in the national forest. Another iconic Mount Hood reflection spot, with a 63-acre lake surrounded by old-growth forest. The Lost Lake Resort offers cabins, yurts, and campsites (day use approximately $15 per vehicle). Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are available for rent; no motorized boats. Open May through October. Reservable through Recreation.gov.

Driving Tips

• Drive the loop clockwise from Portland: US-26 east to Government Camp and Timberline, OR-35 north to Hood River, I-84 west back to Portland. This puts Mount Hood in front of you during the morning climb and the gorge views on the return.
• The Timberline Lodge detour is 6 miles each way off US-26, climbing 2,000 feet. The road is steep and winding but well-maintained. Do not miss it.
• In winter, carry chains on US-26 and OR-35 even with AWD. Oregon's chain law is enforced when conditions warrant; check TripCheck.com or dial 511 for real-time conditions.
• A Sno-Park permit is required November 1 through April 30 at designated winter parking areas ($25 annual, $9 three-day, $4 daily). Available at DMV offices, outdoor retailers, and convenience stores near Mount Hood.
• A Northwest Forest Pass ($5 daily, $30 annual) or America the Beautiful Pass is required at most Forest Service trailheads from May through October.
• Fuel up in Sandy before entering the mountain corridor. The next reliable stations are Government Camp (limited) and Hood River.
• The Ramona Falls hike (7.3 miles, a stunning 120-foot cascade over basalt steps) requires a river crossing without a bridge. The Forest Service has not reinstalled the seasonal bridge since 2021. Ford the Sandy River only in late summer when water levels are low.
• Summer weekends are busy at Trillium Lake and the Timberline area. Arrive before 10 a.m. for parking.
• Cell coverage is spotty along much of US-26 and OR-35. Download offline maps before the drive.
• For more information visit: Travel Oregon: Mt. Hood Scenic Byway