Silver Falls, Mount Hood, and Other Outdoor Adventures in the Willamette Valley

Give your car a break, and visit most of these hikes and attractions (as well as the regal Timberline Lodge) via public transportation on the Mt. Hood Express bus service. Stay overnight at Mt. Hood Oregon Resort—a popular stop that includes on-site restaurants, 27 holes of golf, and a full suite of spa services amid the old-growth forests of Mount Hood.

Dinner options near the resort include Skyway Bar and Grill (dishing barbecue on one of the region’s largest, most fun patios), Koya Kitchen (serving Japanese dishes, Indian cuisine, and several fusion offerings), Chicali Cantina (preparing hearty Mexican fare), and Al Forno Ferruzza (known for thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas).

While on the mountain, make time to visit the iconic Timberline Lodge, a certified National Historic Landmark that sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet on the slopes of Mt. Hood. (Fun fact: The exterior of Timberline Lodge was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s famous film, “The Shining.”)

Timberline was constructed in 1937 and is today a year-round playground. In winter, skiers and snowboarders enjoy 4,540 feet of vertical terrain—the longest drop in the United States. In summer, mountain bikers can ride rugged trails around the lodge, and hikers enjoy easy access to numerous walking paths. All year long, seven restaurants and bars dot the lodge and surrounding ski area.

Think about starting your day by renting a mountain bike from Mobile Mountain Adventures, which will deliver your bike to your hotel or meet you at the location of your choosing. After your ride, head down the mountain toward the community of Estacada—the gateway to the Clackamas River corridor and home to fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and some of the best whitewater rafting in Oregon.

Grab lunch at Time Travelers Brewing before renting gear from Clackamas River Outfitters, or sign up for a whitewater tour with Blue Sky Rafting, Oregon River Experiences, eNRG Kayaking, or some of the other outfitters on the river. End the day at the Prairie House Inn in Molalla, and try to stay in the boutique’s Cottage Suite—which strikes a balance between cozy and elegance.

When you’re ready, head over to Silver Falls State Park, the "crown jewel" of the Oregon State Parks system. Embark on the wildly popular Trail of Ten Falls—a 7.2-mile loop trail that takes you to the foot of (and even behind) 10 thundering waterfalls; if you’re not up for the full hike, smaller loops and connecting trails make it easy to shorten your day.

For a genuinely breathtaking look at the park’s forests, consider a trip with Tree Climbing at Silver Falls—the only tour operator in the United States who guides participants up old-growth trees measuring 200 to 300 feet tall. After a full day of adventuring, have dinner at the Big Leaf Coffeehouse & Grill at Silver Falls State Park, and spend the night at the on-site Smith Creek Village, which hosts cabins and cottages a short walk from dinner!

Grab breakfast at the South Falls Cafe and continue exploring the other trails found within this park. At the northern edge of the park, the all-new North Canyon Day-Use Area includes picnic tables and a short (mostly flat) trail that affords postcard-worthy views of North Falls.

When you’re ready to hit the road, continue south toward the day’s destination: Oakridge.

On the way, stop for lunch in downtown Salem; Wild Pear serves the Pacific Northwest’s seasonal flavors with fresh ingredients, while groups appreciate the lineup at Fork Forty Food Hall—an elevated food hall with a handful of food vendors and an on-site bar.

After lunch, take a walk around Oregon’s capital city: Explore Riverfront Park (sandwiched between downtown Salem and the Willamette River), learn about local history at the State Capitol, or visit one of the ample local businesses operating downtown.

Head south on I-5 and east on Oregon Route 58 toward Oakridge and Westfir—stopping to enjoy dinner at 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse, a local watering hole that serves fresh-brewed ales and home-cooked comfort food.

Check into nearby Westfir Lodge for the night; the refurbished inn offers nine cozy rooms, an on-site market, and more in the heart of the Willamette National Forest. If you’re still feeling energized, cap your busy day with a stargazing tour via stand-up paddleboard or kayak through Westfir Lodge’s Cascades Outdoor Center.

Wake up in the Westfir Lodge to fresh, homemade goodies. Westfir is a small community on the Aufderheide Scenic Byway (itself part of the longer West Cascades Scenic Byway), which runs from Oregon Route 58 in the north to Highway 126 along the McKenzie River in the south. The lodge sits across the road from the Office Covered Bridge (Oregon’s longest covered bridge), where hiking trails begin and the epic Alpine Mountain Bike Trail ends.

If you’re visiting other destinations across the United States, Eugene Airport sits just an hour west of Westfir and Oakridge. But if you’re continuing your road trip, the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park sits just 90 minutes away via Oregon Route 58 eastbound and Highway 97 southbound—and the Oregon Coast sits just two hours away via Oregon Route 58 and Highway 126 westbound. Keep exploring to see all Oregon has to offer.