Escape the Heat: Mt. Hood Meadows Offers Cool Summer Adventure Close to Home

Photo and stories by Dana Greyson

The Dalles, Ore., July 13, 2026 — As summer temperatures climb into the triple digits and high fuel and airfare costs put vacations out of reach for many families, Mt. Hood Meadows offers a cool-weather getaway just an hour from The Dalles.

Known for its winter skiing, the mountain resort transforms into a summer destination with hiking, scenic chairlift rides, concerts, outdoor movies, workshops, youth camps, camping and family activities. Visitors from around the world travel to the resort, but for Columbia Gorge residents, it's an easy day trip.

The resort's live weather camera often shows temperatures 10 to 20 degrees cooler than those in the Columbia Gorge. While The Dalles may be sweltering in the upper 90s, temperatures at the top of Meadows' scenic chairlift are often in the mid-70s.

Mt. Hood Meadows' base area sits at 4,323 feet above sea level. The chairlift climbs to 5,946 feet, and hiking trails reach elevations of nearly 8,000 feet.

The ride offers sweeping views of the Cascade Range, including Mt. Jefferson on clear days. During the summer, alpine meadows bloom with white mariposa lilies, pale purple fleabane, indigo lupine, Indian paintbrush, goldenrod and other wildflowers. Butterflies are common along the trails.

Antler

Wildlife enthusiasts may spot marmots, also known as groundhogs, along the mountainside. Local lore also tells of a one-antlered deer, nicknamed the "deericorn," that reportedly lost a velvet antler after becoming tangled in a barricade. Visitors are welcome to bring cameras, but drones require prior permission from resort staff.

The resort offers more than eight miles of hiking trails ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes, including trails leading to Umbrella Falls and Sahalie Falls. Riders can use the chairlift to shorten the hike or enjoy an easier return trip. Free trail maps with distances and difficulty ratings are available in the visitor center.

Guests who prefer to stay near the base area can enjoy complimentary lawn games including cornhole, giant Jenga, Connect 4 and ladder toss. A children's climbing and play area is also available, and daycare services are offered. Dogs on leashes are welcome on the trails and outdoor dining deck but are not allowed on the chairlift or inside resort buildings.

Visitors may bring a picnic or dine on the outdoor deck overlooking Mt. Hood. Paradise Grill also serves meals and snacks throughout the day.

Mt. Hood Meadows' 2026 summer season runs through Sept. 7, operating Thursdays through Mondays. The resort opens at 10 a.m. Closing time is 6 p.m. Fridays, except on outdoor movie nights, and Saturdays, and 5 p.m. Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. The resort is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Parking is free, and no permits are required.

Mt. Jefferson in the distance.

Scenic chairlift rides are free for children ages 6 and younger and adults 75 and older. Tickets cost $10 for juniors through age 14 and $18 for adults. Purchasing tickets online in advance avoids the $2 per-ticket surcharge charged at the ticket window. Summer season passes are available for $39 for juniors and $49 for adults, allowing unlimited chairlift rides during operating hours.

"I'm looking forward to taking my grandson there again," said Charlotte Hendricks of The Dalles. "He loved being squished on the chairlift between me and his mom. The whole day put a big smile on his face."

Throughout the summer, Meadows hosts events including Movies on the Deck, live music, wildcrafting workshops, mushroom hunts, Daybreak races and Tails on Trails, a fundraiser benefiting Hood River Adopt A Dog. Visitors looking to extend their stay can reserve spaces for fully self-contained RVs at the resort or book nearby cabins at Cooper Spur Mountain Resort.

For more information about activities and schedules, visit the Mt. Hood Meadows website or Cooper Spur Mountain Resort.