Many travelers, I think, would assume that Mount Hood, that majestic peak that rises so prominently to dominate the skyline along the heavily traveled I-84 corridor, would be the focal point of our itinerary. But for me, it is the Timberline Lodge with its sense of rustic, old world, almost magical charm that I am excited to tell you about below. Of course, there are many more wonderful sites that we visit on one of our favorite itineraries yet.
Best time to visit: most of the sites in the itinerary are open year-round, but we think the History Museum of Hood River County is a great start for the itinerary; including this site requires that your visit be March to December; May to October would be better in order to avoid heavy winter snowfall (and avoid acquiring a Sno-park permit).
The History Museum of Hood River County
Come learn of Hood River culture and history, native American, the early settlers, timber and logging, Hood River’s Japanese American story, and the local legend of Luhr Jensen &Sons, maker of fishing lures since 1932.
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
The History Museum of Hood River County: 300 E Port Marina Dr, Hood River, OR 97031, 541-386-6772. Open: Mon-Sat 11-4, Mar-Dec. Admission: $5, 10 and under Free.
Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum
The museum houses one of the nation’s largest collections of antique aircraft and automobiles—all still flying and driving! Over 300 aircraft and automobiles are housed indoors in hangers of more 3.5 acres in size.
Aircraft on display range from 1903 to 1941. Automobiles range from 1909 into the 1960s. Restoration work is done right on site. Photos shown here are only a smattering of what you will see—if you are an enthusiast of antique aircraft and automobiles you’ll love your visit! Plan 1.5 to two hours for your visit.
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum: 1600 Air Museum Rd, Hood River, OR 97031, 541-308-1600. Open: daily 9-5, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adult $21, Seniors & Veterans $19, 5-18 $11, Active Military $13, 4 & under Free. Gift shop on site.
Packer Orchards & Bakery
We love stopping at specialty bakery and fruit stores and Packer Orchards & Bakery was a treat. Stop in for fresh bakery goods, hand-dipped ice cream or a fruit milkshake, salsas, or jams and jellies made fresh on-site daily. You could even purchase some fresh bread and jam and add some goodies to it to enjoy for dinner if you wanted to avoid eating in the Timberline Lodge dining room.
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
3900 Hwy 35, Hood River, OR 97031, 541-234-4481. Open: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Closed Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.
Timberline Lodge
The mountain lodge, sited at an elevation of 6,000 feet, is a National Historic Landmark constructed between 1936 and 1938 by work crews from the Works Progress Administration, employing as many as 500 workers, and was dedicated in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As a popular tourist attraction, the lodge draws two million visitors annually.
Timberline Lodge, with 40,000 square feet, was considered an architectural wonder in 1938 and is still a magnificent structure to marvel upon. The rock and timber structure uses materials from western Oregon, from the local stone to the Oregon cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, western juniper, and ponderosa pine. The lodge, as a mountain ski resort, is open for skiers all year, which is to say it has the longest skiing season in the U.S. The lodge is free to park at during summer but parking in winter does require a Sno-park permit.
Timberline Lodge is more than a mountain lodge, it is a mix between museum and art gallery. Strolling the floors and halls of the lodge will bring you to historical photos and exhibits detailing the lodge’s construction as well as numerous artistic, decorative elements completed by regional artists and craftsmen.
There are numerous hiking trails in the area, many of which lead to waterfalls or other striking views, but they are in a wilderness area so they require a valid recreation pass. Many trails have sections of higher difficulty. Should you want to do some trail hiking, you will need to research and acquire the appropriate permits.
Plan your trip well in advance as the lodge is a popular destination spot and books up quickly.
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
Timberline Lodge: 27500 E Timberline Road, Government Camp, OR 97028, 503-272-3311. Gift shop on site.
Dinner
There are two restaurants you can choose from for dinner that are right in the lodge but both are rather pricey: Cascade Dining Room offers a unique and classy dining experience. Be sure to make a reservation for dinner upon arrival. Ram’s Head Bar & Restaurant on the second floor offers a similar menu. There are several additional selections that we recommend back down the slope in Government Camp: Timberline Summit Pass, 90255 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, OR 97028; American diner fare. The Glacier House, 88817 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, OR 97028; American and European inspired menu—try their mixed Oregon berry cobbler with ice cream! Huckleberry Restaurant, 88611 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, OR 97028.
Breakfast at the lodge or in Government Camp
Day 2 begins with, well, breakfast of course! You can enjoy breakfast in the Cascade Dining Room (make your reservation the evening before) but, remember, the dining room is somewhat pricey. Nearby restaurants that are open for breakfast are limited to one other: Huckleberry Restaurant, 88611 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, OR 97028; the usual American diner fare. They make (and sell) their own huckleberry jam and you can even get a huckleberry milkshake.
Mt Hood Cultural Center & Museum
The cultural center and museum is a wonderful addition to the Timberline Lodge. Exhibits cover a wide range of Mt Hood history: early exploration, pioneers, natural history, forestry and mountaineering, skiing, the Barlow Road branch along the Oregon Trail, works of the Civil Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration, and the 10th Mountain Army Division. Plan one hour for your visit.
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
Mt Hood Cultural Center & Museum: 88900 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, OR 97028, 503-272-3301. Open: daily 9-5; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission: Free, donation recommended. Gift shop on site.
Jonsrud Viewpoint
The viewpoint overlooks the final stretch of the Oregon Trail route, a section of the Barlow Road, constructed in 1846 to enable wagons to cross the Cascades; the road crossed the “Devil’s Backbone” before dropping into the Sandy River Valley visible below the viewpoint. The site offers what is often called one of the best views in Oregon. Two telescopes and several interpretive panels make the viewpoint worth your stop.
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
Jonsrud Viewpoint: Exit Hwy 26 at Bluff Rd and travel north about a half mile. 15652 Bluff Rd, Sandy, OR 97055.
North American Bigfoot Center
Whether or not you are a believer, you will find the center offers well-presented displays on a wide array of supporting evidence in the way of photos, artifacts, and documentary interpretive panels, backed up with short documentary films in the theatre. The center sits in territory that is rich in Sasquatch sightings and… who knows? A visit here just might make you consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe…
Plan one to 1.5 hours for your visit.
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
North American Bigfoot Center: 31297 SE, US-26, Boring, OR 97009, 503-912-3054. Open: daily 10-5. Admission: Adult $8, Seniors, 12 and under, active military and veterans $6, 5 and under Free. Gift shop on site.
With that our itinerary is complete and it’s time to head home. If you are going east, consider exiting I-84 to drive the Historic Columbia River Highway, which happens to be one of our favorite drives. If shopping is on your list, Columbia Gorge Outlet Mall is barely out of your way: 450 NW 257th Way, Troutdale, OR 97060.
Hit the Road in the Pacific Northwest 