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Standing at a lofty 11,240 feet, Oregon’s Mt Hood is the tallest peak in the state. It’s impressive height, handsome shape, and clear visibility from the Portland Metro Area combine to also make it Oregon’s most photographed mountain. Additionally, thanks to the presence of dozens of Sno Parks and six ski areas, including the largest night ski area in the US, Mt Hood is easily the most visited of all of Oregon’s Cascade Range volcanoes. It’s become so synonymous with the state that it is even the image on the front of the Oregon quarter. When you think of mountains in Oregon, Mt Hood is likely the picture that comes to mind. But where to actually get the best picture?
It doesn’t get any better than the gorgeous symmetry of Mt Hood reflected in Trillium Lake.
Full disclosure, I have not seen every view of Mt Hood or even visited every viewpoint. Further, there are several great views at places where you can’t stop and actually get a picture – I’m thinking mainly views as you’re driving or mid-river views you see as you’re floating down a local waterway. Here’s my top ten viewpoints of Mt Hood where visitors have space to hang out with family and friends as they take in the view and take their snaps. All are fairly easily to reach, some are even handicapped accessible. Several of these locations are winter Sno Parks which require a $5 Sno Park day pass Nov – April (or seasonal pass) available at all US Forest Service Ranger Stations.
10: Mirror Lake
Mist rises from aptly-named Mirror Lake on a late summer evening. A moment later the fish started jumping, breaking the reflection. This view is from the SW corner of the lake just past the boardwalk through the marshy area next to a little backpacker campsite.
On Mirror Lake
I was hoping that Mirror Lake would live up to its name when I made this hike after work near the end of summer. Sometimes it doesn’t when it’s windy out, but happily it did and the rosy sunset colors on Mt Hood added a great deal to the scene. The mist rising from the … Read more
Nestled on a little flat to the southwest of Mt Hood near Government Camp, spring-fed Mirror Lake has become more accessible in the last decade thanks to the creation of an actual trailhead as well as big trail improvements. The small lake itself offers reflections of Mt Hood from its western shore as well as at the SW corner beyond the boardwalk through the tall marshy grass.
- Pros: You get a nice reflection of the top of Mt Hood on the lake surface when the water is still. The little loop trail around the lake is really pretty and only takes around fifteen minutes. Mirror Lake is a really beautiful spot!
- Cons: The hike in to reach the lake is two miles and takes an hour or more, with the last mile being fairly steep switchbacks and a rocky trail surface. Trees block the full view of the mountain from every vantage point – you see only the peak above the treeline. Wind, which there is plenty of, breaks the mirror – check the forecast and visit when the wind is expected to be 4mph or less. Parking is $5. It also gets quite busy on weekends in late spring and summer. All of the other viewpoints require much less effort and many are free.
This view at Mirror Lake will eventually disappear as the forest grows.
Mt Hood Looks In The Mirror
Mist rises from glassy Mirror Lake on a late summer evening. I made this hike after work, reaching the lake just in time to witness the mountain changing colors in the sunset light. To find out more about Mirror Lake: https://denphototravel.com/2024/mt-hood/
Sunset light on Mt Hood as viewed from Mirror Lake near where the trail first reaches the shore.
Sunset Light On Mount Hood
I had visited Mirror Lake near Government Camp, Oregon once before with my kids. I remember the trail being very busy that day and loving the view at the lake. Fast-forward by a decade and it was time to try the new trail and trailhead since the old trailhead was right on the side of … Read more
9: Frog Lake
Frog Lake is much easier to reach than Mirror Lake and provides a view of the SE face of Mt Hood. In the warm season visitors can drive into the day use picnic area at the south end of the lake where the views of Mt Hood are found. Once the snow arrives the road into the lake becomes impassable to most vehicles and the area becomes a popular Sno Park – at that point getting to this view requires a snowmobile, cross country skis, or snowshoes. Frog Lake is found along Hwy 26 about ten miles past Government Camp.
- Pros: You pretty much drive right up to the view, and the lake offers reflections of the mountain. The picnic area next to the beach is big and quite scenic with nice views of the lake.
- Cons: The shape of the lake allows only a partial view of the mountain, with the left side blocked by trees. The best view is from the far right side of the beach, but it is so flat that you don’t get enough elevation above the water and rocks poke up out of the lake which get in the way of the shot. Scramble on the rocks on the right for a clearer shot. Parking is $10 – there are better views that cost less.
8: Lost Lake
Tucked into a high valley at the northwest foot of Mt Hood, Lost Lake is a popular summer destination featuring a nice lakeside resort with boat rentals and a small cafe. Cabins are available as well as tent sites. Take the easy trail on the west side of the lake, past the resort and campground, to find the views looking across the water to the mountain. The view faces the NW side of the volcano.
- Pros: Lost Lake offers tons of recreational opportunities and is a wonderful spot to enjoy views of Mt Hood while paddling across the lake in your canoe or on your paddleboard. If you’re looking for a single spot with great views where the family can enjoy a nice outing, you’ll find everything you’re looking for here.
- Cons: It’s hard to find a good clear view of the mountain from the trail – you have to walk at least fifteen minutes down the trail then scramble down to the shore. The lake is quite popular so boats are often on the water, and the lake is quite large so the water is frequently not still enough for a clear reflection photo. Parking is $5. Lost Lake takes much longer to reach than all of the other viewpoints – 1 hour 45 minutes via the easy route through Hood River, with another shorter distance but much more difficult road over Lolo Pass as the other option.
7. White River Crossing
Found on the SE face of Mt Hood along Hwy 35, White River Crossing (aka White River Sno Park) is a wonderful and somewhat different spot to enjoy a day on the mountain with great views. Here you’ll find the headwaters of White River draining White River Glacier and flowing down a huge field of ground up rock rubble and volcanic ash – its the ash that turns the river white, especially in the spring when meltwater washes sediment into the stream. In the winter this area is a hugely popular Sno Park with two parking areas (White River West and East) – a fun spot to frolic, build snow sculptures and have snowball fights. A gravel road leads up along the side of the river basin, providing a nice hiking trail in summer and a track for cross-country skis and snowmobiles in winter. In the spring the river swells to fill the riverbed with many braided channels. Be aware that the high elevation paired with light-reflecting qualities of the snow and even the light-colored exposed rock in summer is a recipe for sunburn.
- Pros: The open riverbed / glacial rubble field is such a different environment than any of the other sites on this list. It’s easy to move around to find just the right view of the mountain and the river. In summer and fall this site is fairly empty.
- Cons: It’s packed in winter so people are constantly in the way if you’re looking for a shot without folks in the frame. The further up the trail you go the better the view gets – a rise on the right partially blocks the view from near the road and parking area.
6. Hood River Ranger Station
If you’re heading up to Mt Hood via the pretty town of Hood River, you’ll pass a few good viewpoints of Mt Hood and the picturesque Hood River Valley en route at roadside pullouts along Hwy 35. If you go past two and then discover the views do not keep coming, I’ve found a saving grace for you: Hood River Ranger Station. The view from the parking lot is good, although partially obscured by an orchard. Climb up on top of the big log at the far end of the parking lot to get above the orchard branches. This view looks at the north face of the mountain.
- Pros: It’s right along the highway and the parking lot is always open. Catch it when the orchard blooms in late March for lots of flowers in the foreground.
- Cons: This is the parking lot of the ranger station so it’s not a destination where you want to hang out. As the orchard grows each year the view becomes increasingly obscured as the year progresses. The branches are trimmed back in late winter, so the view is the least obstructed in February – April. A small stepladder could be helpful to get a clearer shot.
The advancing clouds of an early summer storm begin to cover Mt Hood as viewed from the Hood River Ranger Station.
Disappearing Act
The advancing clouds of an early summer storm begin to cover the view of Mt Hood as seen from the Hood River Ranger Station, but a big enough gap remains to allow some evening sunlight to shine warmly on the snowy slopes. I had to climb up on a huge log to get above the … Read more
5: Jonsrud Viewpoint
Jonsrud Viewpoint is located on the north end of the town of Sandy. The viewpoint sits on a ridgeline above a bend in the Sandy River, creating a view looking up the forested river valley with Mt Hood in the background. This is the best view of the mountain while en route to the slopes from Portland via Hwy 26. Parking is limited but free, and the viewpoint is fully accessible to those with mobility concerns. There are a few benches at the viewpoint, but it is a busier spot along a main road which can fill up quickly, making lingering here an experience in people watching rather than a peaceful nature spot. The view faces the west side of the mountain so this is a fantastic spot for sunset light on the slopes.
- Pros: The viewpoint is wide open with no obstructions, with parking right next to it. This location is closer to town than most and great for sunset light on the mountain. In the colder half of the year its common to see the valley filled with fog which adds a lot of drama.
- Cons: Jonsrud Viewpoint can get busy and sometimes there is no place to park. It’s far enough from the mountain that a zoom lens is fairly necessary here.
4: Scouters Mountain
Sunset light on the mountain is at its best in winter when the peak is covered in deep snow, as seen here from the viewpoint at Scouters Mountain in January.
Mount Hood Ablaze
I am lucky to live where I do in deep SE Portland. I catch a quick glimpse of Mt Hood on my route home from work, and the conditions seemed right that day for a strong and colorful sunset. I rushed home, grabbed my gear, and headed up to nearby Scouters Mountain which has the … Read more
Of the many views of Mt Hood to be found within the Portland Metro Area, the best is at the old Boy Scout camp turned nature park on the summit of Scouters Mountain. A gap in the trees opens up a perfect view of the west face of Mt Hood. The large picnic structure at the top of the mountain is handicapped accessible with a nice lawn adjacent to it which slopes down to a set of benches, and it includes nice flush restrooms. One reason I prefer this view over other similar views in the Portland area is that there is very little development between the viewpoint and the mountain so you don’t see a lot of urban infrastructure, lights, roads, etc. Many of the other small volcanic peaks near I-205 have decent views as well, including Mt Tarbert, Powell Butte, and Rocky Butte. Other good views Portland area views include Pittock Mansion (which features the Portland skyscrapers in the foreground) and the view in the reflecting pools at Lewis and Clark College. For sunset light on the mountain this spot is an ace in the hole. It’s also great for the mountain silhouetted against the sunrise – it rises directly behind the mountain around the spring and fall equinoxes. Scouters Mountain is free to visit throughout the year, and is at a low enough elevation that is stays open year-round. There are a few other trails here that lead through the woods.
- Pros: If you’re in Portland and need a moment in nature, you can find it here. Deer are common, especially in fall and winter. Scouters Mountain is on the edge of the urban area so there’s not a lot of development in the valley at the foot of the mountain. If you’re discovering that it’s a great evening for sunset light on the mountain you have a reasonable chance of making it here fast enough to enjoy the show.
- Cons: You’re far enough away from the mountain that you really need a zoom lens. The only parking at the summit is a loading zone and two handicapped parking spaces, so normally visitors have to park in the main lot down below and walk up the paved path through the woods for about five minutes.
3: Bennett Sno Park
Bennett Sno Park is found just off Hwy 35 exit for Mt Hood Meadows, with the parking area at the east end of the overpass bridge. The parking area is on a small rise, creating a nice open view of the east face of the mountain. There are no facilities or picnic tables here so it’s not a great spot to hang out, but it is a nice spot for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in winter. For a quick and easy view of the mountain this one stands out. A Sno Park permit is required here in winter, but when the snow melts away so does the $5 fee for a pass.
- Pros: Clear, quick view. Easy.
- Cons: No facilities here – its just an undeveloped view from a gravel parking area unless you’re coming here for other winter recreation.
2: Larch Mountain
The last ray of a clear autumn sunset kisses the summit of Mt Hood as viewed from Sherrard Point on Larch Mountain.
Goodnight Kiss – Limited Edition
Fog settles in the valleys like a misty blanket as the last ray of pink sunset light kiss the summit of Mt Hood on a beautifully clear November evening. This view is from the top of Larch Mountain, which is one of the best viewpoints I have ever been to. I visited after work one … Read more
In stock
Just…Wow! Take the low paved trail next to the reader board (top right corner of the parking area) for 0.2 miles, then ascend about 100 steps to Sherrard Point where you will find a breathtaking view of not only Mt Hood but four other Cascades peaks – Hood and Jefferson to the south, and Adams, St Helens, and Raineer to the north. In all honesty, Larch Mountain is one of the best viewpoints in Oregon and is absolutely worth a visit on clear days when the mountains are not clouded in and wildfire smoke is absent. This location closes in winter as soon as snow starts to pile up on the road and does not reopen until late May to early June. The view looks at the north face of Mt Hood 22 miles to the south – far enough that a zoom lens is useful. There are handicapped-accessible picnic tables and a vault toilet near the parking area.
- Pros: The view is clear and absolutely gorgeous, with wavy ridges and little peaks layering the foreground below the mountain. Great for both sunrise and sunset light on the mountain as well as nighttime star photography.
- Cons: The 100 or so steps are prohibitive to people with mobility issues and there is no clear view from the parking area. Only open from late spring until the snow returns sometime in November.
1. Trillium Lake
This is my favorite view of Mt Hood. You literally drive right up to this view, and the symmetry of the surrounding forested slopes with the mountain reflected in the still water is just dazzling. Like Larch Mountain, Trillium Lake closes in winter and becomes only accessible to those with snowmobiles, skis, or snowshoes that want to make the two mile trek to the day use area. The view with the best symmetry is on the fishing platform to the left of the boat ramp, but the boat ramp itself provides a gorgeous and clear view for those in wheelchairs. Other nice views abound – just follow the moderate trail around the lake (easy on the south and east shores of the lake where the views of Mt Hood are). The day use area costs $5. Alternatively there is a nice but popular campground on the lake which also has a similar view to what I’ve featured above. Because the view faces the south side of the mountain you get great light on the peak at all times of day, with the mountain painted in the colors of both sunrises and sunsets on clear days.
- Pros: What a view, with a perfect reflection when the winds are calm. Great at all times of day. Handicapped accessible and very easy – a wonderful spot to spend the day or camp for the weekend.
- Cons: Beyond the $5 day use fee and winter closure, the big detraction here are the mosquitos. They are BAD, especially in late spring and summer. Bring bug spray and wear long sleeves and pants around sunrise and sunset when mosquitos are most active.
Other good views of Mt Hood
If you can’t get enough of Mt Hood, you can also find good views at:
- Washougal Waterfront Park on the Columbia River in WA.
- The far summit on the McCall Point Trail at Rowena Crest.
- Pittock Mansion in NW Portland’s West Hills.
- Portland International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park.
- Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm between Canby and Woodburn (aka The Tulip Festival).
- Along Hwy 216 between Mt Hood and Tygh Valley on the east side of the mountain.
- Around Timberline Lodge just east of Government Camp (there are ski lifts in the view).
- On the north end of Hood River Bridge.
A soft glow and dusky skies surround Mt Hood just after sunset as seen from Sherrard Point on Larch Mountain.
Mt Hood At Dusk
On a clear day I headed out after work to the Columbia River Gorge to see the early November fall color. I changed course when I saw how clear Mt Hood was and noticed the gorge was quite windy. I headed up to Larch Mountain, which I had never visited before due to the Covid … Read more
