Despite its three ski resorts, gorgeous lakes, and countless hiking trails, Mt. Hood is not a “resort” destination like many other mountains in the West. Timberline Lodge is world famous, of course, and Government Camp is the official “ski town” of the area. But really, along Highway 26 to the south and west and Highway 35 to the east, Mt. Hood is made up of small towns — Sandy, Zigzag, Rhododendron, and Welches to west; Parkdale and Hood River to the east.
That’s not a bad thing, however; within these small towns lie a handful of local culinary experiences distinct to the area, without the pretense of ritzier mountain towns. Here, visitors can find fun rustic roadhouses, knockout barbecue spots, memorable pizzerias, and outstanding breweries and wineries for a pre-camping toast. While a stop at the Sandlandia food carts in Sandy or a beer in Hood River are always great options pre- or post-camping trip, we wanted to focus on some of the areas closer to the mountain — specifically within 30 miles of Mt. Hood Meadows, the Mt. Hood Skibowl, or Timberline. For more options nearby, check out our Hood River and Columbia River Gorge maps.
Note: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
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