Timberline Lodge

Timberline Lodge sits at 6,000 feet on the south slope of Mount Hood, Oregon's highest peak, and has operated as one of the Pacific Northwest's most celebrated mountain retreats since its construction by the Works Progress Administration between 1936 and 1938. Built to provide Depression-era employment for Oregon craftspeople and laborers, the lodge is a National Historic Landmark showcasing a remarkable concentration of WPA artisanship: hand-hewn timbers from Oregon old-growth forests, stone masonry sourced from the mountain itself, hand-hammered wrought iron railings, hand-hooked rugs depicting Northwest wildlife, and carved newel posts representing Oregon animals. The Cascade Dining Room occupies the dramatic six-sided center of the building, framed by a 96-ton chimney and original WPA furniture designed specifically for the lodge. Overnight guests stay in rooms ranging from simple bunk accommodations to premium rooms with mountain views; many retain original WPA furnishings. The lodge gained further international recognition as the exterior filming location for Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film The Shining, though that film's interior scenes were shot on a studio set. Year-round skiing is available on the Palmer Snowfield above the lodge, accessible by chairlift from May through August for summer skiing in addition to the full winter season. Day visitors who are not skiing can tour the lodge's public rooms, shop in the gift store, visit the Blue Ox Bar, and access hiking trails directly from the building. The self-guided WPA craftsmanship tour, supported by illustrated placards throughout the building, identifies the original artisans behind each major element.