Mt Hood has unique offerings both in the summer and winter. I've spent many weekends camping, hiking, and being in nature there. It is one of Oregon's most iconic destinations and you'll feel how special the region is when you visit. I always love visiting Oregon because the people are so kind and friendly. People will spend time chatting with you and ask what you think about things, it's truly refreshing!
I like to start my drive from Seattle or Portland and head through the loop and down to Bend after! You can find my full Oregon Map here.
Where to Stay
You can either stay in Portland or by Mt Hood. You can stay in Hotel in Portland's Pearl district or downtown near Powell's bookstore or Camp in Mt Hood National Forest or stay along the Columbia Gorge. I recommend staying in Portland if you're visiting in the winter and just want to do a day trip for the skiing or snowshoeing, since prices are higher in the winter due to popularity. If you're visiting in the summer, you can camp near Trillium lake or find a cozy A-frame along the river, the prices are cheaper in the fall and shoulder season.
mt hood fruit loop
One of the must-see places in Oregon is the Mt Hood fruit loop. You'll get breathtaking views of Mt Hood from every angle, you literally can't escape it! We took the 35-mile drive called the Hood River Fruit Loop on our first day of our roadtrip this summer. The route takes you through orchards and wineries where you can pick berries with your dogs and taste wine with your friends! Sora was still recovering from her injury with the cone of shame (she got lots of sympathy from visitors which she was enjoying).
There are lavender farms, wineries, orchards, and more. In the summer temperatures can get hot (it was 90 degrees when I went in July last year). The map below is from Hood River's official site, you can just start driving and stop wherever you want, with minimal planning ahead, especially on a weekday.
Hood River's Fruit Loop Map
We visited Wyeast Vineyards which was dog-friendly with plenty of seating options. We did not make reservations since there are so many options along the loop. They even had these adorable alpacas and horses next to the winery.
In late July through August you can find lavender farms around the Fruit loop as well. Not all are dog-friendly, but we went to Hood River Lavender Farms. There wasn't a close view of Mt Hood, but it still was a nice way to sit in the shade and enjoy the smells of lavender and sunny weather.
Another stop nearby is The Gorge Whitehouse which we visited for some refreshing drinks and snacks. We really liked the classy, tuscan vibes of Marchesi Vineyards. The workers were so friendly and made my friend's bachelorette feel special! The views are timeless and the wine tasting and charcuterie were delicious.
Mt View Orchards is a gorgeous "u-pick" place to see the sunflowers and also the colorful meadows (see photo above!) You can visit for free to capture pictures with the flowers. We visited this spot in the fall (September) and it was pretty much empty! We went for my friend's bachelorette, and I got to capture some photos of her below in the field!
Trillium Lake
This is an iconic spot for everyone who visits the area. You can SUP, go fishing, or just enjoy the view! The hike around the lake is flat and short, but you can also drive right up to it for photography.
Mt hood Campground
After several stops along the Fruit Loop we stopped at a beautiful meadow in the Mt Hood wilderness. There's a really peaceful meadow that you can easily access from the main road. It felt dreamy, serene, and I still remember the sound of the creek flowing between the rocks and the bee buzzing around.
hood river activities
The hood river also has lots of restaurants! Dog-friendly lunch/dinners options are Bargeway Pub for delicious food, Ferment Brewing for cozy yurts, views, savory pretzels, and warm fires and beer flights at the Pfriem brewing. There are plenty of scenic hikes (dog mountain is always a popular choice) but you can choose anything really. I love the Dog Mountain hike which provides views of the Columbia gorge, just remember to get permits for the weekends if you're trying to hike it.
tips
Go early in the day: Start your fruit loop drive in the morning to beat the heat (especially in July and August) and avoid crowds at the popular farms and wineries.
Grab a physical Fruit Loop Map (many stands and wineries have them), or download one from the official site. It’s fun to have a few must-stops in mind, but also leave room for spontaneous pulls off the road.
Not every stop allows dogs, especially inside the lavender fields (they will allow around) —call ahead or check their website/Instagram.
Many spots offer fresh fruit, jams, or chilled cider. Bring a cooler so you can store your food purchases for the ride home. Also, not every place serves food, so it's smart to pack a snack in case you're between stops.
Strawberries, cherries, peaches, and apples are all available at different times. Check ahead for what's in season so you can plan your visit accordingly. Many farms post daily updates on their social media pages.
Some of the smaller farm stands are cash-only or have credit card minimums. It’s always good to have some cash on hand, especially if you’re buying produce.
come back in the winter!
If you come back in the winter don't miss snowshoeing or skiing at Timberline Lodge. Tamanawas Falls is also a less-crowded waterfall hike I really like!
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