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2025 TRAVEL PLANNER2 mthoodterritory.com Do you love making a positive impact while traveling? We’re here to help! Explore this guide, follow us on social @mthoodterritory or visit mthoodterritory.com for tips and insider knowledge to make your trip unforgettable and enrich the communities that call this special place home. Mt. Hood Territory celebrates the diversity of all who live and visit here. Dedicated to providing equal access to all, we welcome you with open arms to enjoy the cultural and natural wonders of our beautiful region. WELCOME TO MT. HOOD TERRITORY Where stunning natural beauty — from the valleys, lakes and rivers to the majestic peak of Mt. Hood — meets the warmth of vibrant communities. Front Cover | Clockwise: Mt. Hood and the Muddy Fork Valley, Frog Pond Farm in Wilsonville, guided hike with Mt. Hood Outfitters on the Crosstown Trail, sculpture garden at Milwaukie’s Old City Hall 4 OUTDOOR RECREATION Embrace the wild with adventure guides, expert tips, breathtaking destinations and nature conservation insights. 14 FARMS Tour local farms to taste fresh produce and learn sustainable methods, animal care and homestead history. 20 FOOD & DRINK Indulge in seasonal flavors rooted in cultural heritage at thriving local eateries, wineries, breweries and distilleries. 26 ART & HERITAGE Discover the region’s creative spirit at galleries, museums, cultural events and outdoor art displays. 32 COMMUNITY Celebrate the history, culture, natural beauty and distinctive charm of Mt. Hood Territory’s towns and cities. 50 LODGING Curl up in style at elegant hotels, rustic cabins, historic lodges, tiny homes, waterside retreats and more. “OTTER DOS” As you read, keep an eye out for Monty Hood — our adventurous river otter who will share tips about what you “Otter Do” to ensure you have a great experience while also making a positive impact Here’s to wandering wisely! The Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory Travel Planner is published by Oregon Media LLC. While every effort has been made to provide up-to-date information, the publisher assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of its contents. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission of the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. ©2025WHERE IS MT. HOOD TERRITORY, ANYWAY? Mt. Hood Territory is located just east of Portland and PDX International Airport, making it easily accessible to visitors from both within and outside the state. The region stretches southward from the Columbia River Gorge to the Clackamas River Valley, encompassing a variety of landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, lush forests and tranquil rivers. 1,879 SQUARE MILES Average snowfall on Mt. Hood: 55 inches per year 1 Average precipitation on Mt. Hood: 34 inches per year 1 HIGHEST PEAK: Mt. Hood at 11,240 feet WASHINGTON CALIFORNIA OREGON Portland Salem Sources 1. According to usclimatedata.com2. According to averages from weatherspark.com3. Information obtained from Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District, conservationdistrict.org MT. HOOD TERRITORY CLIMATE MONTHLY AVERAGES 2 Jan: 41° F43° F Mar: 47° F Apr: 51° F May: 57° F Jul: 68° F Aug: 69° F Sep: 63° F Oct: 54° F Nov: 46° F Dec: 40° F WILLAMETTE FALLS is the second largest waterfall by volume in the United States, after Niagara Falls. OREGON CITY is the official end of the Oregon Trail and the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains. Mt. Hood Territory includes part of this world famous region, known for exceptional wines, especially pinot noir. WINE REGION WILLAMETTE VALLEY 3 including the state forestland and portions of the Mt. Hood National Forest and the Willamette National Forest. APPROXIMATELY 70% of Mt. Hood Territory is classified as forestland, mthoodterritory.com 3 4 mthoodterritory.com TAKE IN THE REGION’S SCENIC BEAUTY FIRSTHAND THIS PHOTO: The Trolley Trail multiuse path running between Gladstone and Milwaukie | RIGHT TOP: Mt. Hood National Forest’s Timberline to Town Trail | RIGHT BOTTOM: Pat’s Acres Racing Complex in Canbymthoodterritory.com 5 Life jackets save lives and are often required by law. The Oregon State Marine Board has useful tips for picking the right one at omht.us/lifejackets. SUP on Estacada Lake SERENE WATERS Between fast-moving sections of the Clackamas River near the town of Estacada, you’ll find a stretch of water that flows at a much slower pace. Dip your paddle into the smooth water or boat along its surface and you, too, will settle into a calm, steady rhythm. If you have basic paddling skills, you have what it takes to paddle the Estacada Lake area. Just grab your canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP), or rent one from Clackamas River Outfitters at its waterside locations. To enjoy your experience even more, let them take you on a guided tour. Located just one mile west of Estacada, you’ll find plenty of parking and a boat launch at Timber Park. Put in and begin paddling away from Mill River Dam, heading upstream. This section of the lake starts out wide at first, but as you move south, it becomes narrower and more secluded. Admire Douglas fir trees clinging to the banks as you make your way across the quiet water toward the artful spans of the Highway 211 Bridge. On the other side of the lake from Timber Park, Milo McIver State Park offers a pro- rated 27-hole disc golf course, hiking trails, horseback riding, plus tent and RV camping. The Clackamas Fish Hatchery makes its home here as do steelhead, cutthroat trout and Chinook salmon for fishing aficionados. Resting above the North Fork Reservoir stretch of the Clackamas River, Promontory Park is popular for family outings. The day-use and camping recreation area is a hub for anglers, boaters, paddlers and sightseers on the banks of the reservoir. The marina and marina store provide the necessary grocery goods and fishing tackle, along with kayak, SUP and pontoon boat rentals. Young anglers can cast a line at the park’s Small Fry Lake. Note: No alcohol is permitted within the boundaries of Promontory Park. Best known for its clarity, another of Estacada’s waters, Lake Harriet, is fed by the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. Boating, fishing and camping abound here, and calm waters welcome SUP and paddle enthusiasts.6 mthoodterritory.com EBBS & FLOWS Located at the foothills of the Cascade Range and iconic Mt. Hood, the Clackamas and Sandy rivers provide fun waves and mellow floats for inflatable kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and wild rafting on class I to class IV waters. Sightseeing boaters are drawn to the old-growth landscape and riparian splendor of these beautiful waterways, while thrill-seekers can get their fill of whitewater rushes. Ease, safety and expertise are words that describe the many benefits of tackling whitewater with a professional guiding service. With a local guide at the helm, your gear, instruction and sometimes even midday nourishment are taken care of so you can fuel your sense of adventure while enjoying peace of mind. From Spencer’s Hole, Big Eddie and Carter Bridge class III rapids to the Toilet Bowl and The Narrows class IVs, Northwest Whitewater Adventures guides whitewater runners through the Clackamas waters with all the needed gear to keep everyone safe while having fun. With trips for all ages, Northwest is dedicated to celebrating human power and the natural environment. Experience is in the name. With Oregon River Experience, rafting enthusiasts float and ride while soaking in mountain views, clear waters and the diverse flora and fauna that live along the banks of the Clackamas and Sandy rivers. Half- day Sandy River trips are beautiful yet fleeting, taking place April–June, while the Clackamas runs are available from April through the summer. Seasoned whitewater guide outfitter Blue Sky Rafting offers technical river adventure on the more powerful currents of the Upper (faster) Clackamas, with departures from the Moore Creek boat access point and on the Lower (slower) Clackamas at the Milo McIver State Park boat ramp, providing the allure of big rapids with the ease of planning. Opt for the full-day excursions and enjoy a riverside barbeque halfway through your exhilarating journey. Dedicated to bringing people of all abilities and backgrounds together, Adventures Without Limits offers Clackamas and Sandy river rafting trips led by certified guides, along with many other guided outdoor excursions. A registered nonprofit, Adventures Without Limits bridges common barriers to adaptive outdoor recreation, nurturing a safe community to take on new challenges in the beautiful wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Whitewater Adventuresmthoodterritory.com 7 WELCHES WELCOMES ALL WHO WANDER Welches’ unofficial headquarters for day trips into the Mt. Hood National Forest wilderness lies along the banks of the Salmon River at Wildwood Recreation Site. Whether for walkers and wanderers out for a short stroll or hikers and backpackers looking to access higher mountainous terrain, Wildwood Recreation Site offers an ideal starting point from Highway 26 — the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway. Wildwood’s Cascade Streamwatch Trail and the Wetlands Trail, each a 3/4-mile boardwalk, are mixed with paved and dirt paths and provide education via interpretive signage of flora and fauna, foliage and fungi found in this wetland region. The trails are family friendly, pet friendly (on-leash) and fully ADA accessible. Bridges cross picturesque streams, and the Salmon River — a federally designated water under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System — is always in sight, clear, blue and running. Wading, swimming and fishing are allowed and encouraged with safety measures, along with viewing and photographing the waterways’ ecology, hydrology, wildlife, fish and vast scenery. Of the list of native flora inhabitants, vine maple, native willow, sword ferns, honeysuckle and beargrass grow alongside towering rhododendron, western hemlock, Douglas fir and western red cedar. When looking to the skies at Wildwood, you may witness great blue herons, red-winged blackbirds and various raptors take flight. The water is home to young coho salmon, and a below- stream viewing window allows fish enthusiasts to check out what’s swimming. If a longer hike is in mind, try the Boulder Ridge Trail which heads toward Huckleberry Mountain via the Bonanza Trail , for an out-and-back adventure with a heart-pumping 2,600-foot climb. Soak in the views of the Salmon River Valley stretching below and Mt. Hood framing the horizon. Or continue on Bonanza for the 10.5-mile out-and-back route to a butte at 4,300 feet in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness Area. What makes Wildwood especially serene and private is its day-use only access. Camping is prohibited, but outdoor picnicking is welcomed in designated areas with picnic kitchens, shelters and ADA accessible restrooms adjacent to volleyball and basketball courts. Stay on the trail to protect plants, animals and ecosystems, and follow Leave No Trace principles: Leave rocks, vegetation and artifacts untouched for others to enjoy. Salmon River Viewing window along Cascade Streamwatch Trail (Photo credit: Andriana Syvanych/Alamy) Hiking along the Wetlands Trail8 mthoodterritory.com TIMBERLINE BIKE PARK The only lift-assisted mountain biking on Mt. Hood proper, the Timberline Bike Park lets riders barrel down the mountain and cruise through classic alpine terrain before catching a ride back up to do it all over again. Miles of trail range from beginner to expert, so there’s something for everyone. And no need to haul your own gear — the park rents everything for your adventure, including bikes, helmets and protective pads. TIMBERLINE TO RHODODENDRON TRAIL Starting at the historic Timberline Lodge, your journey descends 4,400 feet down Mt. Hood on this challenging 15-mile route following some paths that Oregon Trail pioneers took in the 1800s. Connecting with the Pioneer Bridle Trail , the difficulty increases as you encounter loamy, single-track alternates and loose, rocky sections. The trail levels out across Highway 26 before leading you through a mixture of single and double-track that brings you back to the town of Rhododendron. THREE DAYS OF PERFECT PEDALING Most mountain bikers dream of a single epic day on the trails. But Mt. Hood Territory is a mountain biker’s paradise offering not one, but three incredible riding adventures. SANDY RIDGE TRAIL SYSTEM In the western shadow of the Mt. Hood foothills, the Sandy Ridge Trail System snakes through a signature Pacific Northwest forest of firs and cedars near the Sandy River. There’s no lift assist here, so you’ll be pedaling up and down, but it’s worth it. The system’s 17 miles of trails range in difficulty from beginner to expert and offer spectacular views of Mt. Hood alongside rollers, tabletops and other fun features. RENTALS Looking for a bike and gear to hit all three spots? Mt. Hood Bicycle and Goodwynn’s are both centrally located in Welches and have everything you need. CAR-FREE CRUISING You can hit all three mountain biking destinations without a single minute in a car. The Mt. Hood Express and Hoodland Shuttle (which even offer midweek deals) run regular routes between Sandy and Timberline, and have trailers to haul your ride. THIS PHOTO: Timberline Bike Park LEFT: Timberline to Town Trail by Government Campmthoodterritory.com 9 CAMPING There’s nothing more soothing than the sound of a babbling river just beyond your tent. Three Bears Recreation Site and Cedar Grove Recreation Site offer walk-in tent camping reservable at recreation.gov so you can plan ahead. The campgrounds feature gravel paths that take you down to sites tucked in thick groves of evergreens, some of which are perched right on the banks of the river. Both campgrounds have vault toilets and feature sites with a tent pad, metal fire rings, barbecue grills and a picnic table. Campgrounds are open from mid-May to mid-October but tend to fill up quickly. Try a midweek camping trip for more availability. MOUNTAIN BIKING This trail system boasts more than 20 miles of diverse terrain, combining thrilling singletrack with old logging roads. Begin your adventure at the popular Hardy Creek Trailhead, warm up on the gentle, appropriately named Warm-up Loop and tackle the intermediate to advanced Rim Trail. These trails are multiuse, so they yield to hikers and equestrians. Please note, the trails are typically closed from mid-November through mid-May due to muddy conditions. MOLALLA RIVER CORRIDOR RECREATION AREA Just outside Molalla, there’s a quiet wilderness waiting to be explored by foot, bicycle or horseback. Visit for the day or settle in at one of several riverside campsites and spend the weekend. Either way, you’ll leave refreshed. HIKING The Molalla River Corridor lures hikers of all experience levels. With trails along the beautiful river offering incredible views, this recreation area has something for everybody. Wind through the forested foothills and slopes of the Molalla River Valley — the trails occasionally open up to scenic glimpses of the forests and mountains of the Cascade Range. From the Hardy Creek Trailhead, about 3.5 miles south of the Glen Avon Bridge, you can venture into the surrounding forested ridges on 25 miles of beginner, intermediate and advanced-level trails. This area is also the gateway to the Table Rock Wilderness. Hiking the Molalla River CorridorNext >