mt hood snowshoeing tours

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Join us for a trail walk through the snow, among towering Douglas firs. Snowshoe Tour allows you to float on top of the snow, easing travel through deep snows.  Our guided trek follows the TK trail, a flat loop/out and back through stunning conifer forests.

Cost: $75 per person

Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski Tours are private tours.

Minimum 2 ppl, max capacity 6 people.  24 hour advanced notice required.

Guides will take you on either the Crosstown or Summit Trail, departing from our store at 88220 E Government Camp Rd.

We are in a Snow-Zone and you must carry chains or have studded winter tires. See road conditions  HERE .  Check out weather conditions  HERE , and view road cameras  HERE  for Government Camp

🚨Important Update on Lift Ticket Sales!🚨

Please Note:

Lift tickets are now exclusively available at the resort. Online sales have been discontinued. Make sure to plan accordingly!

Lift Ticket Pricing:

Weekends: 12pm – 8pm, Adults $64 | Junior/Senior $48

Grab your tickets directly at the resort and hit the slopes! 🎿✨

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Skibowl west base area live feed, skibowl upper bowl live feed, skibowl east base area live feed.

Weekends: All Day: Adults $64 | Junior/Senior $48

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Mt. Hood Meadows Guided Snowshoe Tours

Mt Hood is Oregon’s playground in the winter. If you’re looking to get out and enjoy the view, snowshoeing could be just the thing for you. Mt Hood Meadows is our pick for the best guided snowshoe tours.

Mt. Hood Meadows offers world-class skiing and snowboarding. Voted by Oregonians for having the best cruising intermediate terrain in the state, Meadows offers more than 2,150 acres lift-served terrain. But if you’re looking for something a little slower-paced, consider taking a guided snowshoeing adventure.

There are several guided tour options at Mt Hood Meadows. You can take a guided tour through forests and meadows to snowy Umbrella Falls, hike out to the stunning Sahalie Falls and historic bridge, head out to umbrella falls at night.

Our favorite is the Vista Snowshoe Tour with Dinner. Starting at the base of Mt. Hood Meadows inside the lodge, you’ll get geared up with snowshoes and poles before heading to the nearest ski lift with your guide. The scenic chairlift ride will take you to 6,600 feet, where you will be met with panoramic views of Mount Jefferson and White River Canyon. You’ll take a slow-paced snowshoe hike to the Alpenstube Restaurant, where you’ll refuel before wrapping up the tour.

For the latest availability and tour options, check out the Mt Hood Meadows website.

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The wineter is beautiful here!

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Mount Hood Snowshoeing: Snowshoe Rentals & Tours

Mount Hood Oregon

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The whole family can enjoy a snowshoeing excursion through the breathtaking sights of the Mt. Hood National Forest; many trails, from easy to extreme, are found around Oregon’s tallest mountain.

Providers these companies can get you there.

Snowshoeing Tours with Cooper Spur Mountain Resort

(541) 352-6692.

• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Join us on one of our many snowshoe tours and traverse the majesty of Mount Hood. Culminating in a Dinner in our Farm-to-Table Tavern and Grill!

• Check Availability
• Show Prices

Meadowlark Ski And Snowboards

• Verified - Update Listing

Reserve your rental online today! Repairs also available in shop.

Timberline Ski Area

• Government Camp, OR

Historic Timberline Lodge provides a taste of the past, with handmade furnishings and hand-painted artworks in beautiful period-decorated rooms. Free tours and activities.

Mountain Tracks Ski And Snowboard Shop

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Gear up for all Mt. Hood can offer. Rentals of all equipment for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoe hikes. Friendly and knowledgable staff to assist you.

Otto's Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe

Ski, Snowshoe and Mountain Bike sales and rentals.

Snowshoeing is a fun and popular way to enjoy the scenes of a Mt. Hood winter. Old Maid Flats, Salmon River Trails, Wildwood Recreation Area, and the Mt. Hood Sno-Parks all access excellent snowshoe trails. Guided snowshoe adventures and rental shoes are available.

Webbing through towering old-growth rainforest with majestic Mt. Hood as a backdrop provides the ultimate snowshoeing experience. A trail network measuring more than 1,200 total miles surrounds Mt. Hood in the National Forest and many maintain adequate snow levels for good snowshoeing.

Where to Snowshoe near Mt. Hood

Signs placed at each trailhead clearly delineate which activities are permitted there, so you can’t go wrong. Here’s a list of some favorite snowshoeing trails:

• Old Maid Flats : Highway 26 to Lolo Pass Road; turn north and drive 4.5 miles to the sign for the Mt. Hood National Forest; turn right toward Ramona Falls and park alongside the road. Up that road about .5 mile is a gated bridge; several out-and-back trails head just inside the gate.
• Salmon River Trail : From the intersection of Hwy 26 and Welches Road, drive about 1 mile on Hwy 26 to Salmon River Road; turn right and drive south about 5 miles to a wide parking area and bridge. Snowshoeing north up the river takes you along the Lower Salmon River Trail, a fairly level route through old-growth forest. Going south from the bridge will take you on the Middle Salmon River Trail, which is steeper and more challenging.
• Wildwood Recreation Area : Located 39 miles east of Portland on Highway 26 near Welches, Wildwood has several flat snowshoe trails suitable for the whole family. The park is closed in winter, so you’ll have to park at the gate and snowshoe into the recreation area via the road.
• Sno-Parks : A large number of snowshoeing trails head at the winter recreation areas known as Sno-Parks. These areas require permits for vehicle parking.

Snowshoe Tours & Rentals

Visitors from out of state will find guided tours, both free and for hire, in the Mt. Hood Villages around the mountain base. Snowshoe rentals for all sizes and ages are easy to find as well, at area businesses or at the ski resorts.

Stay at a Cabin

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Regional Snowshoeing

Bend oregon snowshoeing, leavenworth snowshoeing, olympic park snowshoeing.

Escape to a Perfect Cabin Getaway in Mount Hood, OR

Visit allcabins.com.

Encouraging women to try adventurous travel

Oregon – Mt. Hood Moonlit Snowshoe Tour w/ Rare Earth Adventures

“Oh, hello, Mars!” said another snowshoe participant, “I don’t know the last time I saw Mars in the sky.” Come to think of it, I don’t remember the last time I looked either. But seeing the stars through the snow-covered trees while standing on Mt. Hood in snowshoes, the orange glow was unmistakable. This surreal moment was brought to you by the beginner-friendly Mt. Hood Moonlit Snowshoe Tour with Rare Earth Adventures that I took in December 2022. We loaded into a van near Portland, drove to Mt. Hood, strapped on snowshoes, and walked into a snow-covered night. Our evening did not have strong moonlight, allowing us to see more stars, constellations, and Mt. Hood glowing in the distance.

For the Moonlit Snowshoe tour, I took my close friend, Lilian, who loves to snowshoe and would appreciate the tour. It would be my first time snowshoeing and her first time snowshoeing at night. We had a hilarious time learning to snowshoe purely by feeling as our eyes adjusted to the dark and staying absolutely still as we tried (somewhat successfully) to capture ourselves with Mt. Hood. And we appreciated seeing the stars, Mt. Hood, and out in nature covered with a blanket of snow. It was surreal and phenomenal, so let’s get into the experience.

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Mt. Hood Moonlit Snowshoe Tour – Check-in Process

You can check availability and book your spot on various tours directly on the Rare Earth Adventures Website . The Moonlit Snowshoe tour does not run every day, but it does on most weekends. The website states that the tour runs from 4:30 – 9:30, but it is best to arrive early (they recommend 4:00 pm). You meet at the Rare Earth Adventures office, where our guide greeted and set us up for the evening. There was a large variety of snacks set up on the table. We were encouraged to take whatever we wanted for the tour, plus a metal cup for our warm beverage. I picked apple cider, Doritos, and a granola bar.

Our guide, Connor, gave us a general overview of the evening. They already had the van packed with snowshoes, poles, and extra headlamps. Once everyone had used the restroom and was set, we loaded into the van. I recommend using the bathrooms at the office because the ones at the trailhead are vault toilets! The van ride was a full hour from Troutdale to our snowshoe location on Mt. Hood. Connor told us he might need to drive slower due to the road conditions, and I was happy not to be the one driving! The van was full and warm, and I would have dozed off if I wasn’t so excited to start snowshoeing.

One cool note was that every person (10 guests, 1 staff, and 1 guide) wore masks for the entire van ride in both directions. I was so grateful because on December 17, Covid, RSV, and the flu were picking up again, and I was worried about getting sick for the holidays. It was a relief, and we did not get sick – yay!!

At a Glance:

• Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars; what a surreal and fun experience! I would definitely do it again!
• Intensity: Warm, snow layers (base layers, water/wind resistant and insulated toppers), gloves, beanies, and headlamps.
• Location: Meet in Troutdale, Oregon, Snowshoe on Mt. Hood
• Cost: $115 per person — the tour was discounted for me to write this post, be sure to read my “Full Transparency” section for how I think that impacted my experience.
• Bathrooms: At the Rare Earth Adventures office and trailhead
• Timing: 4.5 – 6 hours (4:00 – 10:00 pm for us)

Highlights:

• Seeing Mt. Hood glow in the night, stars above, and snow on all the tree branches.
• Learning to snowshoe by feel in the dark.
• Hot drink (I chose apple cider) in the snow with a view of Mt. Hood.
• Transportation was included, so I didn’t have to worry about driving in the snow.
• Feeling safe to do a nighttime activity in the wilderness – I would probably have never done this on my own!
• Due to the darkness of moonlit snowshoe, it was super tough to get photos (I’m surprised any of these came out!!) I recommend simply enjoying yourself instead of trying to capture the moment.
• The distance you go depends on the speed of the group. We only went 2 miles (one mile each way), and I would have loved to get to even fluffier snow. But I also enjoyed a slow pace for my first time snowshoeing and taking photos.

Strapping on Headlamps and Snowshoes

In the parking area, it was already DARK. If we didn’t bring a headlamp, Connor had some ready for us as we exited the van. I wish I had brought my own because it has a red light. The red light is a great way to see without dilating your eyes, so you can also see the stars. Not all of the Rare Earth headlamps had the red light feature. After adjusting jackets and headlamps, we gathered around to get poles and snowshoes. Connor had us pick a snowshoe size and introduced us to trekking pole length and how to strap on the snowshoes.

I opted out of getting poles as I figured it would be too much to juggle with trying to capture photos. I also figured that my backpacking and hiking balance muscles would be enough. Due to the slow pace of the group, I was correct. If we were going further and in deeper snow, I would have used poles (no pole shaming around here!).

We then walked over to the snowy trailhead to strap on our snowshoes. We were each in charge of strapping in our own snowshoes, which helped me feel more comfortable with the equipment. I was a little overzealous with my first snowshoe and nearly cut off the circulation in my toes, but I could adjust the tightness when the group took a break to listen to our guide. With my snowshoes strapped, they felt secure and ready to walk around. Our first challenge was getting up an icy embankment to gather around before we officially started walking. The metal cramps on the toe area allowed me to effortlessly dig into the ice, and the larger part of the snowshoe tilted to climb the hill effortlessly. Snowshoe tech has really improved!

Snowshoeing First Steps and Mt. Hood in the Moonlight

On flat ground, Connor reminded us that there was no particular technique except to walk a little wider than usual. We began taking our first snowshoe steps. He also encouraged us to go without headlamps for our eyes to adjust to the dark. We were on a large snow field, where people played and sledded during the day. The sky was clear, and I could see stars above, with Mt. Hood looming in the distance. The snow in this area was well-compacted, and I could have walked this part in snow boots. However, I took this as a time to practice snowshoeing.

Since I didn’t use the headlamp, I paid close attention to how the snowshoes felt with each step. It was my first snowshoe, so I was probably taking wider steps than necessary. Even with a wide step, walking wasn’t hard; it was easier than expected! As we walked, I played around with the width and length of my strides, paying attention to when I hit the snowshoe on the other.

We pulled over for a second on fresh snow to chat about our view of Mt. Hood. In the deep snow, it was much harder to walk or move around as the sides of the snowshoes would be coming in contact with the snow. I needed to pick my feet way up and NOT GO BACKWARD. If there’s one thing you remember about snowshoeing is to never walk backward, with a much higher risk of falling over. Instead, turn step by step around. Connor talked to us about Mt. Hood, the stream in front of us, and the crazy katabatic wind, which was whipping (or kissing, depending on your interpretation) us as we walked across the empty field.

Put Your High Heels On

We continued on the flat ground until we reached a steep hill, where we were instructed to try out the snowshoe’s heel lift, or as our guide called them, “high heels.” The heel lift is a bar that would allow your foot to stay at an angle to the ground so that your ankles were not over-stretched. On flat ground, the little bar elevates the back of your shoe by an inch or two, so it feels like you’re in high heel shoes. It felt strange, but I trusted Connor and began climbing the hill. On the hill, I was amazed – it felt like my foot was flat as my snowshoe gripped the snow at an angle. Instead of an ankle-bending hill, I climbed a bunch of little stairs. How cool!

We had a break at the top of the hill as we waited for the rest of the group. We were surrounded by just a handful of trees, but the wind was already tremendously less. My friend and I attempted photos in this area with moderate success.

Beyond the hill, the snow was much deeper and thicker. We really needed to be single-file as we made our way through the trees that were heavy with snow. I could see Mt. Hood peeking through the trees when I looked around. It was a little eerie being in a woodsy environment at night, but also gorgeous.

Sippin’ Cider at the Camp Kitchen

After about five more minutes of snowshoeing, we stopped at a small clearing with a view of Mt. Hood through the trees. Connor told us this was where we would build our “camp kitchen,” which entailed walking in a circle in the deep snow until we had compacted the area. Stomping in the deep snow was fun, but much harder to stay balanced. Luckily no one fell over, and we had a cleared area to enjoy a snack and hot beverage. We all pulled out our cups and powdered beverages and stuck them into the snow as Connor came around to fill them with hot water. Lilian chose hot chocolate, whereas I chose apple cider. The overly sweet hot beverage HIT THE SPOT – whew, it was tasty after trudging along and breathing somewhat heavily.

We stargazed and saw both Mars AND Jupiter. We could see so many constellations with clear conditions and no visible moon. For whatever reason, I wasn’t ready for a snack and instead used this snack break to get more photos. While I liked snowshoeing around, I loved stopping to take in the scenery. Also, it was much quieter when we were all standing still. It was a bit surprising how loud the snowshoes were!!

Spread Out Return Trip in Peace

Fueled by our snacks and delicious sugar beverage, it was time to return to the trailhead. On the return trip, Connor had us wait 15 steps behind the person in front of us to be somewhat alone in nature. Now that I felt confident operating the snowshoes, the extra space was exciting. And what a different experience!! I looked at the stars and snow-covered trees, listened to the wind (and my own steps), and appreciated the experience. How freaking cool was it that I was snowshoeing with clear skies on Mt. Hood? Was that a shooting star?! Wow.

Approaching the big hill, I was a little nervous, but it was one of those “trust-your-equipment” moments. The snowshoes easily gripped the snow, and I could walk downhill without any problems. I did, however, take smaller steps. We stopped once more at the trailhead for Connor to review our packing-out procedures. Thank goodness he did this before the trailhead because the parking area had become a full-on party zone. Music was playing, bonfires were lit, and more cars were entering the parking zone. What a contrast to our peaceful nature experience!! When we first arrived, we had seen some campervans in the lot – likely skiers and snowboarders eager to get the first chair, but this was a whole new crew.

I skedaddled over to the bathrooms before a line formed. The vault toilets could have been more pleasant, but they did the job. After thoroughly sanitizing, I had a snack in the van while waiting for everyone’s restroom visit. I was smarter on the ride home and shed a layer or two before fully settling in. Connor carefully and safely drove us back to Troutdale, where we finished the moonlit snowshoe tour. What an incredible experience!

Photos While Night Snowshoeing – SO TOUGH

I knew it would be hard to get good photos on the moonlit snowshoe tour, and I was right. We lucked out with clear conditions, but it was a particularly dark night without moonlight on my tour. I needed to hold the camera steady for 3 full seconds to capture anything on my iPhone 12 Pro. Any movement would cause it to be blurry, so I was pleasantly surprised with these shots. Lilian and I kept trying — we had fun taking two to five of the same picture to give ourselves the best chance of a good photo. I brought a tripod with me, but I never used it. Yes, it would have held my camera steady, but I worried it would be a huge distraction (and time commitment) for myself and the rest of the group. Ultimately, I decided to focus on hand-held shots whenever we stopped.

Overall, I recommend not worrying too much about photos but rather focusing on being present and soaking up the experience.

However, if you would like to try, here are my recommendations:

• Check the phase of the moon before booking. Going on a full moon will give you more light, and your photos will likely be less blurry.
• On a brighter night, you’ll be able to capture more with any phone or camera. But when the moon is not full or visible, night photo capabilities or an adjustable shutter speed are key.
• Have a patient friend. Lilian and I both utilized group stops for photo-taking while making sure not to slow down the group and still having fun.
• Play with the headlamp light. If you have someone in your shot, you’ll need a little light to get both the subject and Mt. Hood. We got both in focus a handful of times.
• Capture some video! While it captured less detail, a video was great for showing the experience. I found this best when walking alone on the return trip, as we all had headlamps.

What To Bring With You – Moonlit Snowshoe Tour

We made this trip on December 17, which was probably in the 20s on Mt. Hood. Not to brag, but I nailed my clothing – never too hot or too cold – despite working hard in cold temps. I attribute this success to knowing how my body functions (I’m always a little cold), wearing light layers, and having a wind-resistant outer layer. The wind was what amped up the chill factor. Take a look at what Rare Earth Adventures provides, and build out what you bring from there.

Rare Earth Adventures Provides: ( Check their website for any changes)

• Transportation from Troutdale
• Hot beverages and snacks
• A professional guide

What to Wear:

• Jacket – I wore my white Patagonia nano-puff hoody under the honcho poncho.
• Snow Pants – Ideally, insulated pants. I wore Backcountry ski pants , which are insulated and water-resistant. If you don’t have snow pants, consider getting rain pants and wearing a base layer underneath. Aim for something to cut the wind.
• Base Layers – wear something under your pants!! I tried out these merino-blended tights from Old Navy (they worked just fine), and I had a Patagonia Capilene midweight zip-neck sweater on top.
• Beanie – a definite must! I wore this cute/silly one with t wo pom poms from Amazon . The beanie is fleece-lined, which keeps my noggin toasty!
• Shoes – I wore my Columbia Newton Ridge hiking boots because they’ve always been hot when hiking. Pick something warm and waterproof.
• Gloves – Lilian had these great gloves to touch your phone screen. I need to invest in something like that! If your hands get cold, wear warmer gloves plus hand warmers.
• Headlamp – I brought it with me this weekend but forgot it in the van! #facepalm I wish I had brought mine because it has the red light feature. I borrowed one from Rare Earth Adventures, which matched my honcho poncho. If you’d like to buy one, Black Diamond is the classic brand I’m familiar with, and the Spot 400 is a solid choice. OR t he Petzl Actik Core has a rechargeable battery – very cool! It also gets very good reviews.
• Honcho Poncho – I got these to review for my campervan weekend and wore them ALL weekend, including on the snowshoe tour. They are not wind resistant at the sleeves/sides but blocked my front. While very silly, they were a great layer to wear while snowshoeing.

Who is the Moonlit Snowshoe Tour Best For?

The snowshoeing on this tour was very slow-paced and suitable for beginners. While it depended on everyone in the group, our guide regularly told us he was only going to go as fast as the slowest snowshoer. He did a great job making everyone feel welcome and was available at any time to help. I LOVED the welcoming and educational vibe of Rare Earth Adventures. The website says you could go 2 – 4 miles roundtrip, and we went 2 miles! While I might have been able to move faster, I appreciated the stops to take in the scenery and stargaze. The slow pace didn’t bother me, but if you have snowshoe experience and would like to tackle some miles, this might not be the best tour.

In addition to the mechanics of snowshoeing, our guide would periodically stop to talk about Mt. Hood, the conditions, and what we were seeing/experiencing. I absolutely loved this and would have enjoyed even more of these talks. Overall, this tour is excellent for beginner snowshoers and those looking to have a unique winter nature experience.

Other Experiences offered by Rare Earth Adventures

In addition to the moonlit snowshoe, Rare Earth Adventures offers additional ways to get outdoors and on the nearby mountains in both winter and summer. They even provide some tours specifically to LGBTQ+, which is just another way they are welcoming and inclusive – yay! Here’s a quick breakdown of what they have as of January 2023:

• Winter Skill Building : Based on this snowshoe tour, I trust Rare Earth adventures to provide incredible skill-building experiences! They offer an introduction to Backcountry Ski and Splitboard and Alpine Skills .
• Winter Backpacking : An area that I’d love to try out (but the gear is a consideration) is winter backpacking! Rare Earth offers 3 nights on Crater Lake and one night at Mt. St. Helens , where they also help you learn the ins-and-outs of a winter excursion. I think the sunset and sunrise surrounded by snow would be stunning.
• Summer Backpacking : In the summer, you can backpack a section of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) in a non-specialized group , women’s group, or LGBTQ+ group !
• Summer Mountaineering : Or, if you’re getting into peak-bagging. Rare Earth offers a single-day summit of Mt. St. Helens and a 2-night summit of Mt. Adams with an introduction to mountaineering.

Full Transparency

I received a buy-one, get-one tour for my friend and me in exchange for writing this blog pos about the moonlit snowshoe, and I wanted to speak about how that impacted my experience. While researching activities for my winter Columbia River Gorge weekend, I found the tour and was immediately drawn to the unique experience. Plus, I’ve never snowshoed and wanted to try it out. Upon researching the company, I appreciated that it is woman-owned and has incredible winter experiences, some of which are more educational. Going into the experience, I was excited by the unique tour, small group, and beginner-friendly atmosphere.

Regarding the experience, I believe you would have a similar experience as I did when booking with Rare Earth Adventures. There was no special treatment to any single person, and the tour would have gone exactly the same had we not been there. Connor was knowledgeable, considerate, and friendly. Since this is an outdoors-based tour, weather conditions and the people in your group would be the wild card factor and could change your experience.

(If you end up booking with Rare Earth Adventures due to this blog post, please let them know that I recommended them. Both them and I would deeply appreciate it.)

Overall Thoughts: Mt. Hood Moonlit Snowshoe Tour with Rare Earth Adventures

Between the views of Mt. Hood, snow-covered trees, stars above, and trying out snowshoeing for the first time in the dark, everything about the moonlit snowshoe tour was surreal and fantastic. As someone who goes to bed between 9 and 10 pm, it was wild to head out on an adventure at 4:30 pm. But seeing Mt. Hood in a new light and MARS was very cool. Definitely one of the more unique winter experiences I’ve had.

One of the things I cannot stop wondering about the Moonlit Snowshoe tour is: did snowshoeing in the dark help me not overthink snowshoeing? Or maybe it was simply the slow pace and compacted snow. Either way, I’m so glad I tried snowshoeing with Rare Earth Adventures. Other newbies should not be afraid to give it a go!

Just in case you’re curious about the other things I did during my weekend in the Columbia River Gorge, check out the following blog posts:

• Tips for Visiting the Columbia River Gorge in Winter
• Detailed Product Review: Adventure Wagon Modular Interior System for Campervan Conversions
• What I’m wearing the photos: Therm-a-Rest Honcho Ponchos (coming soon)

Where have you done a snowshoe tour or gone snowshoeing? Any particularly memorable ones? Pop a comment below, so I can check it out.

Happy Travels,

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WINTER 2024 FULL MOON SNOWSHOE TRIPS:

1/26/24, 2/24/24, 3/24/24.

• TRANSPORTATION FROM SANDY TO TRIP LOCATION
• MSR SNOWSHOES AND POLES
• POST SNOWSHOE TOUR MEAL AND BEVERAGE
• GUIDED TRIP ON THE TRAILS OF MT HOOD

With locations around the Mt. Hood area, the many different locations available make for a different adventure every time.  Classics like the Trillium Lake snowshoe tour, with postcard views of Mt Hood or the exploration of the White River Glacier means you have the option for the best day available.

Most of our trips are for private groups, allowing us to best suit the day for your groups needs.  This means less people and a more custom experience.

Prices for private tours range from $70-$95 depending on group size.

Trips include  the following:

• MSR Denali snowshoes & poles
• Transportation from the Sandy area
• Professionally guided trip
• Snacks & hot drinks
• All parking fees

Mt. Hood Snowshoe locations include:

• White River: Climb the hills of the White River Glacier and explore wide open meadows and forested tree lined trails to sweeping views of Mt Hood.
• Trillium Lake: Descend down into one of the most iconic views in all of Oregon, Trillium Lake. With postcard views of Mt Hood and the lake, this loop hike makes its way around the shores of Trillium Lake.  Popular with snowshoers and XC skiers, the many side trails into the woods provide for more quite views of the woods and lake.
• Mirror Lake and many other beautiful area's around Mt. Hood

Participants need to supply their own winter boats or hiking boats.

Winter Trips handbook

Trips will usually be 2-6 miles and less than 750 foot elevation gain.

• Destinations
• Experiences
• Why Travel With Us

Snowshoeing

Embark on an exhilarating adventure with our snowshoe tours, where every step is a journey through pristine winter landscapes. Explore the breathtaking beauty of Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier as experienced guides lead you through snow-covered trails, immersing you in the serenity of nature’s winter wonderland. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a first-time explorer, our tours promise unforgettable moments amidst the majestic peaks and forests of the Pacific Northwest.

SNOWSHOE SEASON

Snowshoe season usually kicks off around late October to early November, whenever the snow decides to make it’s way to the mountains! Typically, the season lasts until around mid-March. Because these experiences rely so heavily on the weather, the season tends to vary each year and by each location. If you’re interested in getting out into the winter wonderland but aren’t sure whether or not it’s snowshoe season, reach out to us or head to our book now page!

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Mt. hood snowshoe tour, mt. rainier snowshoe tour.

First Nature is a tour operator based in Portland, Oregon that provides professional guide services for Private Tours of the Pacific Northwest as well as small group trips to several international destinations. We can be your personal concierge in curating a custom adventure that combines beautiful destinations, adrenaline-filled activities, luxury accommodations, and almost anything you can think of to create a one-of-a-kind experience!

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Tour Mt. Hood By Snowshoe This Winter

Are you looking for a great way to get outside in the winter and explore new areas in Oregon? Snowshoeing is the perfect winter activity  for the entire family to get some exercise and discover the winter season on Mt. Hood. Oh, and the best part is it doesn’t take a lot to get started! Mt. Hood Territory has numerous trails perfect for snowshoeing. For more snow play ideas check out Five Ways To Enjoy The Snow in Mt. Hood Territory

Mt. Hood Outfitters offers guided snowshoe tours on Mt. Hood where their guides will tell you about the local forests, animals you might see and fun facts about the mountain and surrounding communities. This winter season they are offering two different trail tours. Guides will take you on either the Crosstown Trail or Summit Trail. Both depart from the Mt. Hood Outfitters store in Government Camp.

Mt. Hood Outfitters also offers snowshoe rentals as well as trekking poles, trail maps and information.

Travel Tip:  View more guides and outfitters on Mt. Hood for other activities  here.

If you’re looking to head out on your own snowshoe trip on Mt. Hood, stop into the  Zigzag Ranger District where the rangers provide a wealth of information about the local trails and where to find stunning views. They can direct you to many different trailheads depending on your abilities and also provide you with the knowledge to keep you safe while you explore.

Crosstown Trail: With minimal elevation gain,  Crosstown Trail is a great trail for beginners. Start your trek at Summit Pass ski area or  Glacier View Sno-Park just outside of Government Camp. Along the trail you’ll pass through a variety of trees, including lodgepole pines, Douglas firs, and western red cedars. And don’t forget to finish your adventure with a beverage and food from  one of the many great restaurants in Government Camp.

Trillium Lake: One incredibly popular snowshoe destination on Mt. Hood is  Trillium Lake . Known for amazingly blue waters that perfectly reflect Mt. Hood during warmer months, Trillium Lake’s transformation during the winter is magical. The frozen lake, surrounded by snow-covered trees, creates a tranquil setting that is the very essence of a perfect winter scene. 

Safety Tip:  Always make sure you have the proper gear, carry a map and let someone know where you’re going if you travel solo.

If you're looking for alternative transportation up Mt. Hood, check out the  Mt. Hood Express for a relaxing trip and  avoid driving in winter conditions . The Mt. Hood Express is a public bus operating seven days a week between the city of Sandy and Timberline Lodge & Ski Area with stops up the mountain in between. Seven buses runs daily and one additional late night bus runs during the winter season, December 1 – March 31. One-way fare is $2 and an all-day ticket is $5 with exact change required.

Travel Tip:  Buses do not operate on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Mt. Hood Express is frequently at capacity, so it’s always a good idea to arrive early.

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Check out the hottest snow party on the mountain with Cosmic Tubing! The Snow Tube & Adventure Park is open weekends and holidays. Discover your winter adventure at Skibowl.

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• Snowshoeing at Timberline Lodge

By Kelsey Samsel | Hiking

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There are many options for snowshoeing on Mt. Hood, but if you don’t want to get too deep into the wilderness, we suggest snowshoeing at Timberline Lodge. Located about 30 minutes from Whispering Woods , you may need chains to get there. It’s best to check the weather conditions before you leave.

Timberline Lodge’s Snowshoe Trail

Timberline has a designated snowshoeing trail that is very easy and only about 2 miles start to finish. We started on the marked trail and hiked for about a quarter of a mile until we decided to cut off the trail to the left and make our own path. Our group ended up hiking a steeper section that takes you up the side of the mountain.

Our trek got quite a bit harder because we weren’t on a real trail, but there were some great photo opportunities once we got further up the hill. 

The great thing about snowshoeing at Timberline is that you can always see the spot you came from so it’s pretty hard to get lost if you decide to blaze your own trail. Whether you stay on the marked trail or go off on your own, the views are stunning throughout the hike.

When you are done for the day, consider stopping at Timberline Lodge for a warm hot chocolate by the fire, or some dinner at one of their restaurants .

Twilight Snowshoe Hotel Package

For those of you who might be interested in staying overnight at Timberline Lodge during your snowshoeing trip, check out their Twilight Snowshoe Hotel Package . Timberline lists the upcoming dates for these packages on their Events page. As of February 2020, the package starts at $280 and includes a hotel room and snowshoes for two people. Book online or call 503-272-3410. ( Gloves, boots, googles, headlamp, food, and beverages not included)

For more Mt. Hood adventure ideas, visit our Things To Do page.

About the Author

Kelsey grew up in Boring, Oregon, and loves everything about the Northwest. She and her husband play in a local band and they love to travel, eat, and hike with their dog, Dexter.