Tiny home, big adventures for families visiting Mt. Hood
Surrounded by Mt. Hood National Forest, take your pick between a winter getaway or a summer retreat at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village. The adorable, quaint, and immaculate tiny houses are located right off of Mt. Hood Highway (also known as Highway 26) in the small town of Welches. This magical spot puts you a half-hour’s drive from the top of Mt. Hood, where you can ski, snowboard, hike or simply take in the spectacular views on a clear day.
What to expect in your tiny home
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village has five tiny homes for rent. Each boasts its own unique décor. We stayed in Scarlett, a country-themed, farmhouse-inspired home. It was cozy! Scarlett sleeps five with two double beds in each loft and a twin on the bottom floor. It’s equipped with everything that you’d need to make a dinner inside or BBQ outside, including a mini fridge, stove-top burner, coffee maker, and toaster. There’s also a central fire pit and picnic tables.
Each heated, tiny house sleeps anywhere between three and five people and has cable television, complete with the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. The bathroom has a flush toilet and shower with hot water.
WiFi is available in each cabin.
The Tiny House Village is a small, separate section of Mt. Hood Village. The property has a large campground complete with a lodge, camp store, on-site bakery, cafe, indoor pool, recreation and fitness center, and kids’ playground. There are other cabins for rent on the property, as well as RV and tent sites.
KidTripster Tip: Delicious scones are made fresh every morning in the bakery, and the cafe has a family-friendly menu, if you don’t want to venture off-site or cook for yourself.
Rates start at $139/night.
Things to do in the area
Welches is just on the outskirts of Mt. Hood National Forest. A wilderness playground is at your doorstep with ample trails for hiking and sightseeing.
If you’re visiting in the summer, the Mt. Hood Adventure Park has all kinds of family-friendly activities from mini golf and rock climbing to bungee jumping and ziplining. There’s also the popular alpine slide. You’ll take a chairlift up and then slide down the mountain on a track. The half-mile ride will drops 350 feet.
KidTripster Tip: You often can save money by buying your tickets online in advance and visiting on a weekday.
Skiing takes place year-round at Timberline Lodge. Even during the summer, there’s snow at the top of Mt. Hood for expert skiers and boarders. Not that advanced? You can still enjoy the spectacular views from the 7,000-foot elevation by taking the Magic Mile Sky Ride. Consider packing a lunch and enjoying the view. And be sure to let the kids throw a few snowballs while you’re up there!
The family fun continues in the winter with skiing and snowboarding at Timberline, Mt. Hood Meadows, and Mt. Hood Skibowl.
Places to grab a meal
Welches is a small town, but it has plenty of local restaurants that offer some great dishes. You’ll find family dining (and excellent pizza) at the ZigZag Inn or try the kid-friendly Rendezvous Grill for a more upscale experience.
If you do make your way up to historic Timberline Lodge, I highly recommend the Cascade Dining Room for Northwest-inspired cuisine and unparalleled views of the Cascade range. This meal won’t be inexpensive, but it will be memorable. Reservations are recommended.
KidTripster Tip: Children, 11-years-old and and under, eat free off the kid’s menu during the first hour of dinner service at The Cascade Dining Room.
How to get to Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Mt. Hood Tiny Village is located on Highway 26 in Welches about an hour’s drive from Portland. If you’re visiting the area from out of town, you’ll want to rent a car to get there. During winter months be sure to check for any travel advisories for this area.
KidTripster Tip: During the winter, hop on the shuttle that take guests from Mt. Hood Village to Mt. Hood Ski Bowl and Timberline.
Jackie Labrecque, a former journalist based in Orlando, Florida, did her share of tiny space living as a college student. She enjoys exploring with her husband and two young sons.
This writer received a complimentary stay for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
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