Mt Hood Recreation

Play the Day Away

Easy, Kid Friendly Activities on Mt Hood

It’s summer, which means it’s time to get outdoors! Bring the kids up to the Villages of Mt. Hood for fresh-air and fun in the sun.  With a short, easy drive from the city you can all be in the mountains exploring waterfalls, spending time with birds and wildlife or the kids can try a new adventure game or learn how to fish. You’ll find those activities on the mountain, too.

Wild Huckleberries

For a simple pleasure with a delicious reward, try picking huckleberries.  Mt. Hood’s lower slopes (about 3500-6000 ft elev) are known for these tiny, sweet-tart blue berries.  Contact the Zigzag Ranger Station of the Mt Hood National Forest for current information and maps on the best places to find huckleberry bushes.  For a sure bet at tasting this special mountain berry, fresh from the bush or made into in milkshakes, pancakes, preserves and other delicious treats, come up to the Mt. Hood Huckleberry Festival at Mt. Hood Village, August 22 thru 24 (see our Festivals listing for more info).

The Wonders of Water

Nature walks are inexpensive ways to get out and see different, beautiful views.  You can gather the kids on the spur of the moment, and before you know it you can be on the 7-mile, gentle forest path to Ramona Falls, considered one of the loveliest waterfalls in the area.  Little Zigzag Falls is another easy hike, and the kids will appreciate its dramatic appearance.

For a different look at wild waters, take the one-mile Cascade Streamwatch Trail at Wildwood Park.  In ten display sections, everyone learns about the world beneath the Salmon River’s surface.  The Underwater Viewing Window shows young salmon and trout swimming and feeding, and you might see crayfish and other creatures living among the stream bottom’s rocks.
           
What about getting on the water?  Take the kids boating at Lost Lake Resort and Campground, located within Mt. Hood National Forest.  Rowboats, canoes and paddleboats are available for rental, which includes lifejackets. You’re welcome to bring your own boat, but be aware that motorized boats are not permitted.  Lost Lake also has campsites, hiking trails, and fishing areas.
           
If fishing is what the kids want to do, there’s no prettier or easier place than at Rainbow Trout Farm!  On thirty landscaped acres, ten ponds full of hungry fish are waiting for even your littlest ones to throw in a line.  You pay by the fish; there’s tackle there for renting, and picnic tables and grills for cooking and serving lunch.

Play the Day Away

If they’d rather try golfing, the whole family can have a fun round or two at Mountain Air Miniature Golf, where the grounds include a plant arboretum, topiary animals, panning for “fools’ gold,” and an outdoor museum of antique tools.

Want to keep your young action heroes busy while the grownups socialize?  The Shack Restaurant & Sports Bar has a kids’ game room.

At Mt. Hood Adventure Park, you can join in the activities while junior adventurers can try everything from the 100’ bungee tower and the scenic sky chair to the ½ mile alpine glide and Indy karts.  Or how about spending the day riding bikes on over 40 miles of singletrack trails in the mountain bike park.  You can even ride the chair lift up with your bike for a thrilling downhill ride.  For the very wee ones, there are kiddy karts and a staff-supervised canoe pond.

Celebrate Smokey Bear

For the budding rangers in your house, the Mt Hood National Forest Service is providing enjoyable programming this summer. 

Timberline Lodge hosts Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party on August 2nd from 10am to 3pm.  Mt. Hood SkiBowl hosts Junior Ranger Day on July 26.  Campfire programs at 7pm are held on Saturdays at Trillium and Timothy lakes and on Wednesdays at Wildwood Park.  “Smokey’s Trail – Lunch and Learn” at Zigzag Ranger Station gives kids the opportunity to eat a sack lunch with Smokey the Bear, participate in a hike and learn about conservation and the lay of the land in the Mt Hood National Forest.  Call Zigzag Ranger Station at 503-622-3191 for the latest on these fun and fascinating activities.

So, when you’re ready for easy, kid-friendly adventures – the Villages of Mt Hood are here for you to enjoy.

Rainbow Trout Farm
Open mid-March thru mid-October
52560 E Sylvan Drive
Sandy, Oregon
503-622-5223
www.rainbowtroutfarm.com

Mt Hood Adventure Park
at Mt. Hood SkiBowl
Government Camp, Oregon
1-800-754-2695
www.skibowl.com

Cascade Streamwatch at
Wildwood Recreation Area
600-acre day use facility nestled in the forested foothills of the Cascade Mountains, along the spectacular wild and scenic Salmon River.  Three picnic areas with shelters, Pioneer and Mountain View each have a 200-person capacity with fireplaces, barbecues, hot plate units, tables and sinks.  The Salmon River Shelter is available for 50 people or less. 
Open May thru September
65670 E Hwy 26
Welches, Oregon 
503-622-3696 or 503-375-5646

For more information, visit the Bureau of Land Management or Fly Fish USA
 
Mountain Air Miniature Golf
60183 E Sleepy Hollow Drive
Sleepy Hollow, Oregon
503.622.4759
www.mountainairoregon.com

Zigzag Ranger District of the Mt Hood National Forest
70220 E Hwy 26
Zigzag, Oregon
503-622-3191
Monday thru Friday 9am  to 5pm;
Sat & Sun 9am to 9pm (depending on events).
503-622-3191, x668
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/

August/September 2008

« Back to this issue...