Fresh-Air Getaways in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory

Just outside Portland, Estacada Lake offers a wealth of serene natural escapes inside Milo McIver State Park. Visitors can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at Clackamas River Outfitters and set off from a boat ramp to start enjoying the clear waters. Sign up for a group paddling tour to travel with local Oregon guides and take advantage of their expert tips. Fishing enthusiasts also enjoy these waters for catching trout. The park includes an adaptive fishing pier perfect for anglers using wheelchairs. If you’d prefer to stay on land, you can still find plenty to love in the park’s 22 kilometers of hiking trails, 27-hole disc golf course and eight kilometers of equestrian trails. Wildlife watching is another popular activity in the park: Keep your eyes out for bats, eagles, osprey, deer and coyotes.

Just outside of the mountain town of Sandy, Jonsrud Viewpoint is a designated stop on the Oregon Scenic Byways program and is widely considered among the best outlooks for views of Mt. Hood. Peer across the vast Sandy River Valley to spot the active stratovolcano through the provided telescopes – or just sit back and relax on a bench and take in amazing panoramas of Mt. Hood National Forest. Colorblind visitors can take advantage of a special adapted scenic viewer that enables everyone to experience the remarkable colors of nature. Out in the distance, you’ll spot the Barlow Road, a former part of the Oregon Trail that was used by pioneers traversing out west. Interpretive signage along the brick walkway gives insight into the history of Barlow Road, as well as the eco-diversity of the forest and its cultural significance to the Indigenous Cascade Chinook, Clackamas Chinook, Molalla, Warm Springs and Wasco people who have historically lived in the area.

Located in downtown Sandy, AntFarm Café and Bakery pours locally roasted coffees and loose-leaf teas. The establishment is locally beloved for using high-quality, organic ingredients for its homemade pastries, breads, sandwiches, soups and salads, with most of the produce grown by local youth and volunteers in the nearby AntFarm Garden. The café’s large community space hosts events and educational programming to teach local students about growing a garden, cooking nutritious food and operating a restaurant. Enjoy a hot coffee and a healthy meal – and take pride in knowing you’re helping a local business give back to its community.

Take a 10-minute drive from Sandy to reach the neighboring town of Boring. First opened in 1890, 46-hectare Dolan Creek Farm has been family operated for three generations. During autumn, the grounds are open to the public for farm activities including taking tractor rides, wandering a nature trail, and feeding and petting the animals – which include a pony, mini goats, cows, chickens and turkeys. Celebrate the season with fresh donuts and apple cider. Year-round, you can book a stay in one of two onsite accommodation options: The Lodge comfortably sleeps up to eight, while The Suite is perfect for a romantic weekend for two.

Fly into Portland International Airport (PDX) and rent a car to drive to Mt. Hood Territory or take a train. Amtrak operates three passenger rail lines (the Cascades, Empire Builder and Coast Starlight) which connect Portland to other U.S. and Canada destinations. On Mt. Hood, the Mt. Hood Express offers public shuttles.