ACCESSIBLE RECREATION

The Villages of Mt Hood are Accessible to Everyone

When planning a vacation, some want crazy nightlife, casinos and tropical beaches. When visitors to Mt Hood think of vacationing, they tend to envision fresh air, fishing in mountain rivers, hiking among wildflowers or camping out under the stars.

Outdoor activities are not only plentiful in the Mt Hood wilderness, they are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities and young ones in strollers.

Wildwood Recreation Park offers easily accessible trails that wind through the forest and wetlands along the Salmon River, a tributary to the Sandy River, which empties into the Columbia. Every autumn the salmon return to the river to spawn. Within the park is the Cascade Streamwatch with an underwater viewing area that has been created for visitors to watch and learn about the native salmon and their lifecycle.

Pictured Left: Stream near Mt Hood in the BLM's Wildwood Recreation Site. Photo courtesy of Nick Strobel of http://www.astronomynotes.com)

Tollgate Campground rests on the bank of the Zig Zag River and is one of the original tollgate sites of Sam Barlow’s. It is nestled in the trees, just a short jaunt off Highway 26. It is the perfect campground to cook s’mores and fall asleep under a starry sky.  You can still walk along the Pioneer Bridle Trail and see a replica of Barlow’s Tollgate.  The massive maple trees here were recently named as Oregon Heritage Trees.

The Lost Creek Trail offers a paved path that winds through the woods, passes the old beaver pond, and has a view of Mt Hood. The flat trail and picnic areas are fully accessible. Fishing platforms are situated along the interpretive trail and camping is available.

Camp Creek is another campground that offers fishing and hiking, all on handicapped accessible trails. You can bring along a tent and stay the night to get up early and catch some fish.

Even golfing on Mt Hood surrounds you in the beauty and wilderness of the area. Nestled in the highlands of Mt. Hood, The Resort at the Mountain’s golf course rests below Hunchback and Huckleberry Mountains. The Salmon River flows nearby and the Wee Burn Creek winds through the course. The staff at The Resort continuously works to preserve the natural habitat of the birds and fish on the course.

No matter what your desire or ability, outdoor activities exist for everyone to enjoy in the foothills of Mt Hood. Take a road trip to Mt Hood and see for yourself why many people choose Mt Hood as a destination vacation.

Camping in the Villages of Mt Hood

Camp Creek Campground
$16/night; 25 sites - 22 ft. max
Tent, Drinking Water, Handicapped Access
2200 ft. elev
Highway 26, 5 miles east of Rhododendron

Tollgate Campground
$16/night; 15 sites - 16 ft. max |
Tent, Drinking Water, Handicapped Access
1700 ft. elev
Highway 26, just east of Rhododendron

Lost Creek Campground
$16/night; 16 sites - 22 ft. max
Tent, Drinking Water
2600 ft. elev
Access via Forest Road 1825; Hwy 26 to Lolo Pass Rd, right on Ramona Falls Trail Road

Lost Creek Trail #776
Season: April - October
Length / Rating: 0.5 Miles. Easy. Paved
Directions: Drive Lolo Pass Road (18) to Rd. 1825. Continue past McNeil Campground to Rd. 1825-109, then 1/8 mile further to Lost Creek picnic area.

 

Recreation in the Villages of Mt Hood

Wildwood Recreation Area
65670 E HWY. 26
Welches OR 97067
Located 39 miles east of Portland on Hwy. 26 near Welches, OR
Accessible Group Picnic Shelters, Accessible Hiking Trails, Accessible Restroom, Basketball Court, Grills, Nature Trails, Playground, Mountain Biking, River Access, Horseshoe Pit

 

For more info on campsites and trails:

Mt Hood Information Center
65000 E Hwy 26
Hours: Daily, 8AM - 4PM (5PM, June -August)
503-622-4822 or 888-622-4822
Welches, OR 97067
www.mthood.info
For more detailed information about directions, Lost Creek Trail and others, please visit the Mt. Hood Information Center, next to Mt. Hood Village RV Resort, about 3 miles west of the stoplight at Welches Road and US Highway 26.

Zigzag Ranger District - Zigzag Ranger Station
70220 E Hwy 26
Zigzag, OR 97059
503-622-3191
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM

Bureau of Land Management
Wildwood Park & Cascade Streamwatch
South side of E Hwy 26, just past Mt Hood Village
www.blm.gov/or/districts/salem/recreation/index.php

 

 

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