Lower Mt. Hood: Day Trip

Mt. Hood is often known for its high elevation adventures, but have you explored the base of the mountain yet? The rivers, forests and small town charm flow down to the base of Mt. Hood, inviting visitors in to explore and rouse all their senses in what this area has to offer. 

Read on for the Lower Mt. Hood day trip itinerary, or click the image below to download the PDF itinerary - perfect for on the go!

*Before you go, check the hours of operation and note any additional considerations for each location.

1. Boring

Start your day in the least boring way possible at Cat's Moon Coffee in Boring, OR. Enjoy locally roasted coffee and fresh baked pastries in an idyllic outdoor garden setting to charge up for a day full of fun. Before entering the base of Mt. Hood, it is vital to learn all about the local inhabitants, which means a visit to the North American Bigfoot Center. Here you can learn how to spot a Bigfoot track, hear what they sound like out in the wild and find out where the latest local sighting was. 

2. Choose Your Adventure

Now that you are charged up with caffeine and a good understanding of the local fauna, you can choose from a number of outdoor adventures the base of Mt. Hood has to offer with options for all skill levels and abilities.

Hiking: Enjoy a hidden gem hiking trail like the 4 miles of easy old growth forest trail at Eagle Fern Park, or the 14 miles of varied trail at Milo McIver State Park. Don't forget to pick up your 10 essentials at Next Adventure in Sandy.

Kayak/SUP'ing: Estacada Lake's still water is perfect for first time and experienced kayakers or SUP'ers with access points at Milo McIver State Park and Timber Park. Schedule a tour or rent your equipment at Clackamas River Outfitters in Estacada. 

Mountain Biking: Rent or buy mountain bike equipment at Otto's Ski and Mt. Bike and hit the trails at Sandy Ridge Trail System. Trails for all skill levels will wind you through a world-class riding experience in beautiful Oregon forests.

3. Sandy

Time to refuel after a morning of adventure. Fill up your belly and soul in Sandy with lunch at the Sandlandia Food Carts. Or for something different, crepes at Le Happy come in both sweet and savory combos for every craving. If visiting on a Sunday, head to the Boring Beer Garden for food truck, beer and live music during the summer. Don't miss the best view of Mt. Hood in town at Jonsrud Viewpoint. 

4. Estacada

Round out your day in Estacada with art, shopping and evening views of the Clackamas River. Did you know downtown Estacada is home to 20+ murals? See how many you can find as you stroll downtown, popping into art galleries and shops like Spiral Gallery and the Mossy Rock. Then wind things down for the evening and use your Mt. Hood Territory Tap Trail to try delicious heirloom variety local cider at Stone Circle Cider. No evening is complete without dinner on the Clackamas River at The Cazadero Steakhouse. The views are unbeatable (as is the prime rib).