Paradise Park Trail and Little Zigzag Falls hikes

The lower portion of the Paradise Park Trail led us through lush forest, blooming rhododendrons, and up to a rocky viewpoint for lunch.

distance: 5.5 miles (out and back)
elevation gain: 940 ft.
high point: 3,720 ft.
difficulty: moderate
drive time from Portland: 1 hour 10 minutes
parking pass: NW Forest Pass

I’ve been trying to hike more trails that are new to me, so last weekend, two friends and I hiked partway up the lower Paradise Park Trail. One of the highlights of the day was the blooming rhododendrons — they were everywhere. We hiked about 2.75 miles to a rocky viewpoint where we stopped for lunch before heading back.

The Paradise Park Trail eventually climbs to Paradise Park, one of the premier meadow areas on Mount Hood. Most hikers start at Timberline Lodge and follow the Timberline Trail to connect with the upper portion of the Paradise Park Trail, but we were looking for a shorter hike with views and fewer crowds. Starting from the lower trailhead in late May and early June takes you through a beautiful forest filled with rhododendrons and a few early beargrass blooms.

The trail is steadily uphill at times, but never overly steep. Early on, it crosses the Zigzag River on a large gated bridge that appears wide enough for vehicles, though the road seems to end shortly beyond it.

Around 2.75 miles in, the views open along the east side of a ridge overlooking Government Camp and Tom Dick Harry Mountain. We stopped there for lunch before returning the same way.

Afterward, we drove about another mile down the road for a short hike to Little Zigzag Falls, another spot that was new to me.