Mt. Hood is one of the star attractions in the forest, and even in the summer, you'll find plenty to do on the mountain, from hiking to zipping down the mountain on the Alpine Slide, a half-mile-long summer toboggan. However, there's much more to the forest than just its namesake mountain. You can soak in the mineral-rich hot springs at Bagby, cool off in the shallow waters of Frog Lake, or take a whitewater rafting adventure along the Clackamas River.
While there is a bus that connects Mt. Hood to the nearby community of Sandy, you need to rent a car or join or tour if you want to explore the rest of the Mt. Hood National Forest. You can reach the forest from Portland on US Route 26, while Oregon Route 35 connects the forest to Hood River, just east of the Columbia Gorge.
Mt. Hood National Forest is very much a summertime destination, and you won’t have to worry about snow closures if you come during this season. It’s also the best time for camping, hiking, and swimming in the forest’s many alpine lakes. Mt. Hood is usually open to skiers and snowboarders from mid-November through May.
If you’re coming from Portland, it’s worth combining a trip to the Mt. Hood National Forest with a visit to the Columbia River Gorge. This scenic region along the Columbia River is known for wooded hiking trails, epic viewpoints, and some of the prettiest waterfalls in the state, including the tallest of them all: Multnomah Falls.