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Spanning Northern California into British Columbia, the stoic Cascade Mountain Range spreads stunning volcanic landmarks along the entire American West Coast. As Mt. Rainier looks over Seattle, Mt. Hood soars some 50 miles east of Portland, Oregon. Looking like a child's depiction of a snow capped mountain, perfectly mountain-like Mt. Hood is a welcomed sight on clear days from in town, along the Columbia River Gorge, and across Central Oregon. And a joy to explore all year long.
Mt. Hood National Forest offer hundreds of miles of hiking trails, dozens of primitive campgrounds, and legendary rivers and creeks to fish in spring, summer, and fall. And in the winter excellent skiing can be found at Mt. Hood Meadows and America's largest night ski area—and my personal favorite mom & pop ski hill—Mt. Hood Skibowl. And of course, historic Timberline Lodge—an icon of the CCC Works Progress Era used as The Overlook Hotel's exterior in The Shining—offers America's only year-round ski resort. Plus Hood River is just a few dozen miles north, offering a perfect pit stop on a loop back to Portland or Seattle.
Cabin culture is alive and well on Mt. Hood. In fact, I'm currently sitting at my family's Forest Service cabin as I write this very sentence—a very special place we've been fortunate to own and look after for nearly three decades now. While I can't exactly invite you to visit our family cabin, I am happy to share with you all the following curated list of vacation rentals on Mt. Hood. So this beautiful forest can be a beloved destination for you and yours, too.
Read on for our top picks for the best Mt. Hood Vacation Rentals. And remember, always make time for a mountain-sized meal at legendary BBQ restaurant The Skyway or local’s favorite Zig Zag Inn.
The 12 Best Mt. Hood Cabin Rentals to Visit Year Round
Fir Tree Haus - Rhododendron, OR
Vibe: Edgy A-Frame
Every aspect of this A-frame cabin screams modern, from the neon “Fir Tree Haus” sign to the sleek, contemporary interior. The exterior instantly catches the eye with its jet-black roof and front wall of windows, before heading indoors to the two-story interior with living room area, full kitchen, two bathrooms, three bedrooms, and upstairs loft. The patio out front also comes furnished with a sitting area and a Jacuzzi hot tub for a post-hike or post-ski soak.
Rate: $355/night
The Woodlands Hideout - Sandy, OR
Vibe: Mt. Hood Hygge
With its black-and-tan wood walls, clean lines, and large windows, the Scandinavian-style Woodlands Hideout cuts a striking profile against the surrounding old-growth trees and ferns of its wooded lot home close to Sandy, Oregon. Designed as a “minimalist take on the writer’s cabin,” the spartan, distraction-free interior and forest-view windows are meant to inspire creativity and contemplation in its residents. Awash in neutral tones and cozy textiles, the interior has a comfy bed, wood-burning stove, kitchenette, bathroom, and table.
Rate: $173/night
The Cedarwood Cabin - Mt. Hood Village, OR
Vibe: Modern Magic
A historic cabin lovingly restored with a beautiful blend of mid-century modern and modern farmhouse themes, the Cedarwood Cabin offers a refined, elegant stay close to Mt. Hood. Located in Mount Hood Village near Brightwood, there’s access to dining and shopping in town and the many outdoorsy pursuits of the surrounding forests, rivers, and lakes. Decked out in golden wood that shines against the forested backdrop, the stately interior can sleep up to four guests in its two bedrooms. A full kitchen, washer and dryer, dedicated workspace with fast wifif for remote work, and a cozy living room give you plenty of space to spread out or come together, with the dining room opening onto an deck where you can sip a beer while listening to the nearby Sandy River.
Rate: $205/night
The Hide & Seek - Rhododendron, OR
Vibe: Cozy & Cute
A dreamy, fairy-tale vision of wooden shingles and a leaf-covered roof tucked away into the forest, the Hide & Seek cabin near Rhododendron manages to feel both rustic yet contemporary at the same time. Inside, the more traditional exterior gives way to a modernized interior of carefully-curated design choices, like geometric floor tiles that blend into wood floorboards, and the many funky light fixtures. The ground floor holds the living room, woodstove, dining area, kitchen, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a winding wooden staircase leads to the upper floor and primary bedroom. Out back, you even have your own barrel sauna for a Nordic wellness session.
Rate: $165/night
Mountain A-Frame — Rhododendron, OR
Vibe: Modern minimalism
An absolute stand-out also included on our 15 Best A-Frame Cabin Rentals, this beautiful A-Frame features a peaceful contemporary interior complete with a number of unique architectural details—perfect for those looking for a relaxing, restorative getaway. The Zigzag river and Government Camp offer up activities nearby.
Rate: $325/night
Cedar Creek Hideaway — Welches, OR
Vibe: (Buckminster) Fuller House
Tucked away among old growth cedar groves and surrounded by seasonal creeks is this geodesic cabin. With intricate wood paneling and traditional log cabin furniture throughout, you’ll feel right at home in this dome. Hang creekside and BBQ on the wraparound deck or fire up the wood stove and play a game of pool. Plus it sleeps nine and is a dog-friendly cabin, so invite your quarantine crew and their puppers for some more quality time together.
Rate: $163/night
Cedarwood Cabin — Welches, OR
Vibe: Cabin classic
Though we have a penchant for mid-century and contemporary design, there’s truly nothing like a traditional, low key, log cabin—the Lincoln Log kind that blurs the line between the wooden interior and its woodland surroundings. Cedarwood Cabin is just that. Restored to its 1922 glory, this cozy spot is great for the lone traveler or couple. Slow down and live the simple life inside the rustic interior, then head to the Zig Zag Inn for dinner, a local’s favorite for pizza and beers.
Rate: $123/night
A-Frame — Mt. Hood Village
Vibe: Home is where the hearth is
The hearth is truly the heart of this cozy cabin, located on the edge of the Mount Hood National Forest. The well-crafted interior is at the crossroads of sophisticated and cozy, with mid-century pieces and a tranquil vibe throughout the A-Frame cabin and adjoining studio bedroom. Though the master bath is the star here. A short walk to Salmon River trailheads—an epic trail network through lush old growth—or if you’re belay certified, have a sport climbing session at Salmon River Slab and the nearby French’s Dome.
Rate: $299/night
East River Rest Cabin — Rhododendron, OR
Vibe: Riverside retreat
Spend a weekend along the riverfront in this Scandinavian inspired luxury cabin. Lots of light and carefully curated interior details make the space inviting but luxurious. Soak in the hot tub after a day of skiing around Mt. Hood or sip on a lil something on the deck overlooking the Sandy River. Mountain villages abound for local shopping and Little Zig Zag falls is a nice short hike away for those seeking some exercise.
Rate: $266/night
Klaus Haus — Rhododendron, OR
Vibe: Sophisticated cozy
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright pupil, architect Robert C. Douglas in 1977, the recently renovated Klaus Haus plays with shape and embraces a one-with-nature philosophy. Although relatively small, the house—captured with admittedly uninspiriing photography—features a few interesting architectural moments like a large lofted bedroom, spiral staircase, and built-in couch. The mid-century inspired interior and small deck are cozily furnished for all your wine-sipping or fireside-lounging needs. Get some fresh air and take in the river views along the Sandy River or hike, bike, and climb in the surrounding Mt. Hood area.
Rate: $146/night
Sycamore Lodge — Rhododendron, OR
Vibe: Handcrafted habitat
Sycamore Lodge serves up a traditional ski chalet feel with its very wooden interior and mountain-sport decor. Numerous relaxing options are available here, from the large central fireplace downstairs, the lofted wood stove lounge area, to the outdoor hot tub and patio with impressive fire pit (Ed Note: please observe local burn bans). Ski or snowboard at nearby mountains or spend a day at Mt. Hood Adventure Park for some adrenaline. Though the intensely edited photography may be a bit of a turn off, this proper log cabin is impressive. What kind of mountain cabin list would this be if we didn’t include a lodge like this?
Rate: $384/night
Niksen House — Rhododendron, OR
Vibe: Scandinavian clubhouse
An hour outside of Portland, this pet-friendly recently renovated not-quite-A-Frame is thoughtfully put together with a Scandinavian vibe. With lots of things to do in the surrounding area, you may not be spending much time indoors thought. In winter, ski, snowboard and tube at nearby Mt. Hood Meadows, Timberline or Ski Bowl or snowshoe and cross country ski on nearby trails. In warmer months, head to the Sandy Ridge Trail system for mountain biking or Lost Lake to kayak. And when the day is over, relax on the back deck or cozy up inside.
Rate: $286/night
Published 07-05-2023
