Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, Timberline Lodge is one of Oregon’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing nearly two million visitors every year. Considered an architectural wonder, it’s still being used for its original intent—a magnificent ski lodge and mountain retreat for all to enjoy.
Not everyone thought it could be done. Build a ski lodge near the top of Oregon’s tallest mountain at the brutal height of the Great Depression? But build it they did—entirely by hand, inside and out—from massive timbers and rock they found in the wilderness. “They” were unemployed craftspeople hired by the Federal Works Progress Administration. Timberline Lodge is a tribute to their skills and a monument to a government that responded to the needs of its people in a desperate time.
Ground was broken on June 14, 1936. Work was done amazingly quick, rushed due to extreme weather conditions and the uncertainty of the WPA’s future. Just 15 months had passed, when President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the completed lodge on September 28, 1937.
A Partnership of Collaborative Stewardship
R.L.K. and Company, Operators of Timberline Lodge, is proud to partner with the The United States Forest Service to provide the public with a quality experience when visiting Timberline. This private/public partnership is dedicated to the stewardship and interpretation of the historic building, as well as providing quality recreation within the capabilities of the ecosystem. The USFS, together with R.L.K. and Company, offers interpretive programs and special events for your enjoyment, and we always welcome your questions and comments. Together, we are Proud To Be Your Host.
A great review – complete with ‘virtual tour’ – of the lodge was posted by Jess Stryker on his Historic Hotels web site. Click here to check it out. (link will open in new browser window.)
TOURS & ACTIVITIES
All activities listed on this page are free and open to the public.
Timberline Lodge Tours
-Self Guided Tours Always Welcome-
What: Join a U.S. Forest Service Ranger for a 25 minute tour of historic Timberline Lodge. Explore the rich history of the Lodge and all it has to offer. Tours are free and available to everyone.
Where: Meet at the US Forest Service desk inside Timberline Lodge
When: Daily at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Cost: Free. Donations are not required but appreciated to ensure programs such as this can be continued in to the future.
Additional Information: Please call 503-622-3191 for more information or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
The Builders of Timberline Video – 30 Minutes
Watch the video The Builders of Timberline in the Barlow Room of Historic Timberline Lodge. This video provides a wonderful overview of the Timberline Project and Lodge Construction.
Topics that will be discussed include: WPA history, Lodge History, Ski History and a general overview of the building of Timberline Lodge.
Timberline Alpine Talk
What: Explore the meaning of “Timberline” in this short 10-15 minute talk and some of the difficulties faced by plants, animals, and humans in this harsh environment.
Where: Meet at the U.S. Forest Service Desk inside Timberline Lodge.
When: Beginning July 1st, Wednesday – Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
Cost: Free. Donations are not required but appreciated to ensure programs such as this can be continued in to the future.
Additional Information: Please call 503-622-3191 for more information or visit hhttp://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
Timberline Mountaineer Trail Guided Hike
What: Accompany a U.S. Forest Service Ranger on a 2 mile round trip hike on the Timberline Mountaineer Trail to Silcox Hut, the upper terminus of the original Magic Mile Chairlift. Explore the rich outdoor history of Timberline along with the natural history of the Mount Hood Area.
Where: Meet at the USFS Desk inside the Timberline Lodge lobby.
When: Beginning July 1st, Wednesday – Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free. Donations are not required but appreciated to ensure programs such as this can be continued in to the future.
Additional Information: This hike is strenuous with an approximately 1000 foot elevation gain (climb from 6,000 to 7,000 feet in 1 mile). Due to snow levels in the early season participants will hike as far as possible up the trail. Please call 503-622-3191 for more information or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
Timberline Star Party
What: On Saturday evening, July 17th and August 28th, 2010 beginning at 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. respectively, the U.S. Forest Service & R.L.K. and Company will host a free “Star Party” at the Amphitheater outside Historic Timberline Lodge. Professors of astronomy Doug McCarty and Dr. Todd Duncan, along with a number of amateur astronomers, will provide telescopes for the public to view galaxies, the Moon, star clusters and planets from an elevation of 6,000 feet on the Southern slope of Mount Hood. Throughout the night, astronomers will answer questions from the public during this unique “tour” of the night sky.
Where: The outdoor amphitheater west of Timberline Lodge
When: Saturday July 17th, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. AND Saturday August 28th, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free. Donations are not required but appreciated to ensure programs such as this can be continued in to the future.
Additional Information: Please call 503-622-3191 for more information or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
Timberline Wine Vault Tour
What: Explore the history of wine making in the Pacific Northwest, and receive a special tour of Timberline’s award winning wine vault. Tour will include tastings of up to 5 Northwest wines. All ages welcome on tour – must be 21 or over to participate in tastings.
Where: Reserve your space at the Front Desk of Timberline Lodge, or call 503-272-3311.
When: Every Friday and Saturday at 4pm & 6pm.
Cost: $16 per person.
Additonal Information: Each tour is limited to 20 people, so reserve your space early.
All activities listed on this page are free and open to the public.
Timberline Lodge Tours
-Self Guided Tours Always Welcome-
What: Join a U.S. Forest Service Ranger for a 25 minute tour of historic Timberline Lodge. Explore the rich history of the Lodge and all it has to offer. Tours are free and available to everyone.
Where: Meet at the US Forest Service desk inside Timberline Lodge
When: Daily at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Cost: Free. Donations are not required but appreciated to ensure programs such as this can be continued in to the future.
Additional Information: Please call 503-622-3191 for more information or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
The Builders of Timberline Video – 30 Minutes
Watch the video The Builders of Timberline in the Barlow Room of Historic Timberline Lodge. This video provides a wonderful overview of the Timberline Project and Lodge Construction.
Topics that will be discussed include: WPA history, Lodge History, Ski History and a general overview of the building of Timberline Lodge.
Timberline Alpine Talk
What: Explore the meaning of “Timberline” in this short 10-15 minute talk and some of the difficulties faced by plants, animals, and humans in this harsh environment.
Where: Meet at the U.S. Forest Service Desk inside Timberline Lodge.
When: Beginning July 1st, Wednesday – Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
Cost: Free. Donations are not required but appreciated to ensure programs such as this can be continued in to the future.
Additional Information: Please call 503-622-3191 for more information or visit hhttp://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
Timberline Mountaineer Trail Guided Hike
What: Accompany a U.S. Forest Service Ranger on a 2 mile round trip hike on the Timberline Mountaineer Trail to Silcox Hut, the upper terminus of the original Magic Mile Chairlift. Explore the rich outdoor history of Timberline along with the natural history of the Mount Hood Area.
Where: Meet at the USFS Desk inside the Timberline Lodge lobby.
When: Beginning July 1st, Wednesday – Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free. Donations are not required but appreciated to ensure programs such as this can be continued in to the future.
Additional Information: This hike is strenuous with an approximately 1000 foot elevation gain (climb from 6,000 to 7,000 feet in 1 mile). Due to snow levels in the early season participants will hike as far as possible up the trail. Please call 503-622-3191 for more information or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
Timberline Star Party
What: On Saturday evening, July 17th and August 28th, 2010 beginning at 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. respectively, the U.S. Forest Service & R.L.K. and Company will host a free “Star Party” at the Amphitheater outside Historic Timberline Lodge. Professors of astronomy Doug McCarty and Dr. Todd Duncan, along with a number of amateur astronomers, will provide telescopes for the public to view galaxies, the Moon, star clusters and planets from an elevation of 6,000 feet on the Southern slope of Mount Hood. Throughout the night, astronomers will answer questions from the public during this unique “tour” of the night sky.
Where: The outdoor amphitheater west of Timberline Lodge
When: Saturday July 17th, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. AND Saturday August 28th, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free. Donations are not required but appreciated to ensure programs such as this can be continued in to the future.
Additional Information: Please call 503-622-3191 for more information or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
Timberline Wine Vault Tour
What: Explore the history of wine making in the Pacific Northwest, and receive a special tour of Timberline’s award winning wine vault. Tour will include tastings of up to 5 Northwest wines. All ages welcome on tour – must be 21 or over to participate in tastings.
Where: Reserve your space at the Front Desk of Timberline Lodge, or call 503-272-3311.
When: Every Friday and Saturday at 4pm & 6pm.
Cost: $16 per person.
Additonal Information: Each tour is limited to 20 people, so reserve your space early.
