The 9 Best Cabin Rentals at Mount Hood, Oregon

Mount Hood is a year-round outdoor playground, and if that wasn’t enough, it’s not far from the excitement of downtown Portland, either.

Staying at a cabin on Mount Hood is an iconic Oregon experience. Adventurous souls travel from all over the world to visit the mountain, as do many locals. It’s the unofficial outdoor icon of Oregon, and there are no shortage of reasons why it’s a great destination any time of year.

For starters, Mount Hood is known for having one of the longest ski seasons in the world. Some of the resort’s highest ski runs descend across glaciers, and they’re often open for most of the year.

But the mountain is also home to numerous dazzling hikes, scenic lakes, and twisting rivers to explore after the snow melts. Even if the upper mountain is open, the lower ski trails transform into outdoor adventure parks and miles of backpacking trails when the weather turns warm.

The Mount Hood cabin rentals below highlights many of the best places to stay on Mount Hood. Some are tucked deep into the alpine forest, while others are on the edge of town — and a few are even within walking distance of the ski lifts. There’s just one question left: what type of cabin are you in the mood for?

Related Read: 10 Epic Pet-Friendly Cabin Rentals in Oregon

1. Hummingbird Lodge

Why you should stay: A quintessential mountain cabin to sleep the whole family.

• Nearest town: Rhododendron
• Sleeps: 8
• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Rates from: $189/night

Hummingbird Lodge is a luxurious log cabin with wall-to-wall timber construction, including hardwood floors and a natural wood staircase. It’s a spacious cabin for the entire family. There’s plenty of room to spread out and relax inside, and the 10-acre property has plenty to discover. The home itself has three bedrooms, a hot tub, and just the right amount of outdoor twinkling lights.

The backyard is big enough to spend an entire weekend exploring, so don’t be surprised if your kids do just that.  The property is on a private road a few miles outside of the towns of Mount Hood Village and Rhododendron and has several trails within walking distance of the cabin, as well as the Sandy River. You’ll be far away from the populated areas of the mountain, but not so far as for them to be inconvenient.

2. ZigZag Mountain House

Why you should stay: An artfully crafted, custom-built tiny home cabin by the Zigzag river and several long-distance trails.

• Nearest town: Rhododendron
• Sleeps: 3
• Minimum stay: 1 night
• Rates from: $132 per night

The ZigZag Mountain House is as cozy as can be. This tiny home is hand-built and fully furnished with pieces made by artisan craftsmen local to the area. It sits on a private hilltop overlooking either the forest or a sparkling snowscape, depending on the time of year. It’d a pretty-darn-cute little cabin, though the important words there is little: it can sleep three, but would probably be best for a couple.

The ZigZag is just down the road, as is the popular Skyway Bar & Grill. The long-distance Hunchback Trail crosses behind the property, leading into several other backcountry trails. The ZigZag Mountain Trail is also nearby and heads in the opposite direction, eventually scaling Mount Hood to connect with the Timberline Trail.

3. Riverfront Steiner Cabin

Why you should stay: A true cabin in the woods with fishing and kayaking in your own backyard.

• Nearest town: Mount Hood Village
• Sleeps: 4
• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Rates from: $151/night

This historic Riverfront Steiner Cabin has oodles of character. The aged wood and stone have a depth of color that can only come with decades of care, and the intricate construction and woodwork on display inside show off the skills of the master carpenter who built the cabin in the 1930s.

The property has a sizable yard on the bank of the Sandy River, so there’s plenty to do in your own backyard. It’s obviously beautiful year-round, but it’s especially nice in the peak of summer when you can sit on the shore and dangle your feet in the water with a cold drink or fishing rod in hand. And as if that weren’t enough, the attractions of Mount Hood aren’t far, and Portland is only an hour away.

4. Skiing Bear Chalet

Why you should stay: One of the largest Mount Hood cabin rentals for you and your crew (including dogs!)

• Nearest town: Government camp
• Sleeps: 12
• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Rates from: $252/night

A true double-decker log cabin, the Skiing Bear Chalet is a fantastic cabin for a large family or group of friends who need to be near Mount Hood’s most popular ski slopes. The skit lifts are but a hop, skip, and a jump away from this awesome cabin, as are all of the shops and dining options to be found in Government Camp.

The property itself is simply spectacular. Everything from the timber structure to the stone fireplace is immaculate. It looks like a log cabin you’d see in a movie (or at Disney World,) but fortunately for travelers, it’s completely real. It’s also pet-friendly, so feel free to bring the pups (in case having 12 people in the house wasn’t lively enough!)

5. Beautiful Mountain A-Frame

Why you should stay: Modern living in a classic A-frame cabin on the edge of Mount Hood National Forest.

• Nearest town: Rhododendron
• Sleeps: 4
• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Rates from: $155/night

The well-lit, open floor plan of this cool cabin has a sharply peaked roof and central fireplace, so it won’t take long to fall in love with this little A-frame. When visiting, you’ll be fully immersed in the mountains, which can be a good thing if you’re the kind of person that has hard time getting your mind focused off work. Here, your mind and body can live the alpine life — though there is Wi-Fi if you really start to feel disconnected.

And if relaxing during vacation isn’t an issue for you, well, you’re in for an absolute treat. Come winter, summer, or any time in between, there’s plenty to do and see right outside of this cabin. Lost Lake Resort and all of its water-bound activities are a short trip down the road, as are the slopes of Mount Hood.

“So many places to read, relax, and just enjoy low-speed time at home with easy access to great outdoor activities.”

6. The Roost

Why you should stay: Looks can be deceiving in this hidden charmer near the village.

• Nearest town: Mount Hood Village
• Sleeps: 4
• Minimum stay: 1 night
• Rates from: $110/night

From its exterior appearance alone, one would assume that The Roost is nearly in ruins, about to be swallowed up by the lush surrounding forest. However, that rustic facade fades the moment you step inside the cabin. Once you’ve seen the entire place, you’ll realize it’s painfully charming — so cute it hurts.

The bright pastel interior starkly contrasts the exterior’s dark and worn natural wood. It has a teeny-tiny (but very warm) wood-burning stove, an itty-bitty coffee table, and other adorable little touches. This cabin has everything you need for an awesome weekend in the forest, but Mount Hood Village is literally right around the corner. This cabin is also pet-friendly, though maybe not if your dog sleeps in your bed, since you’ll need to climb a ladder to reach the lofted bedroom.

7. East River Rest

Why you should stay: A unique Scandinavian-inspired cabin overlooking the Sandy River.

• Nearest town: Rhododendron
• Sleeps: 6
• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Rates from: $185 per night

Though East River Rest is in a neighborhood near Mount Hood Village, it provides plenty of privacy. The tall trees around the cabin separate it from the nearby cabins, the private fire pit is hidden within a thicket of shrubs, and there’s even a private trail down to the Sandy River so you don’t have to worry about making small talk when you accidentally walk at the same pace as someone else. Thanks to angular furniture, contrasting colors, and a few well-placed sheep skins, the interior has an inviting Scandinavian feel.

This cabin feels minimalist and luxurious at the same time. The community has tennis courts and a pool, which guests are encouraged to use, and the nearby town has every convenience you could ever need.

8. Woodsy Dream Cabin

Why you should stay: One of the best Mount Hood cabin rentals for truly unplugging from the outside world.

• Nearest town: Rhododendron
• Sleeps: 4
• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Rates from: $132/night

It’s plain to see what’s so charming about a rustic log cabin like this Woodsy Dream Cabin: simple living and modern comforts. The interior is unassuming but well-appointed, and so too is the exterior, with its open layout underneath a canopy of towering pines.

The property sits off East Barlow Trail Road, a historic wagon road that became a segment of the Oregon Trail in 1846. Visitors can follow this road to the Barlow Road Tollgate to hike a section of this landmark trail.

“Adorable cabin, and so close to all the best Mt. Hood has to offer! From the hot tub to the wood burning stove, it’s impossible to pick what the best amenity is.”

9. Happy Nest

Why you should stay: A nearly 100-year-old cabin with plenty of contemporary conveniences at a great price.

• Nearest town: Rhododendron
• Sleeps: 2
• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Rates from: $100/night

Happy Nest is a vintage cabin that has definitely aged gracefully. It’s the perfect place to stay on Mount Hood for those who enjoy a touch of modernity and convenience but aren’t willing to miss out on the allure of a classic woodland cabin. This forested respite is just a short walk away from several of the area’s most popular restaurants, as well as the ZigZag River and multiple trailheads. There’s no cable, but there is Wi-Fi and Hulu comes set up and ready to stream.

It’s also conveniently close to the highway, making it easy to get to and from the ski slopes no matter the weather. While other people may be snowed in, you’re still able to make first chair.

Plan Your Trip to Mount Hood

• Take a hike on one of the dozens of spectacular hikes around the mountain, including the infamous Timberline Trail, which guides backpackers in a loop around the entire mountain.
• Hit the slopes at Mount Hood Meadows, Timberline Lodge Ski Area, or Mount Hood Skibowl.
• Visit the shops and restaurants at Government Camp and Mount Hood Village. Likewise, Timberline Lodge (where scenes from “The Shining” were filmed) is worth a visit for these same reasons, even if you’re not staying the night there.
• Swim, sunbathe, or rent a boat at Lost Lake Resort during the summer, or find exciting activities like zip lines and go-karts at the Mount Hood Adventure Park.
• Explore downtown Portland and all of the city’s fantastic trails, which are about an hour to the west.
• Tour the Columbia River Gorge and all of its majestic waterfalls.

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