Government Camp Real Estate & Information

Government Camp Real Estate & Information

Serving as the gateway to majestic Mount Hood, Government Camp, Oregon offers a variety of year-round recreational opportunities and scenic views to both residents and visitors. Founded in 1849 when the first U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen abandoned their wagons here, this town of three-hundred people is located just one hour east of Portland along the US 26 corridor. Government Camp is nestled in an unincorporated area of Clackamas County, Oregon just south of Mount Hood. Government Camp, Oregon real estate has everything from condos to Alpine and log cabins and ski chalets to variety of vacation rentals.

Shopping and Dining
As a popular tourist destination, Government Camp offers a variety of shopping and dining opportunities, many of which are located along the Government Camp Loop. Boutique shops and specialty stores like The Govy General sell fine wine, beer and specialty chocolates. Two outdoor gear shops and a sporting goods store make their homes in here along with a variety of other stores catering to tourists and people passing through on their way to Mount Hood. A variety of dining and shopping choices await visitors to the majestic Timberline Lodge. Besides offering a world-famous hotel, Timberline Lodge has a gallery of local art, gift shops and fine dining.

Skiers and hikers relax with a microbrew from the MT Hood Brewing Company after a hard day on the slopes and trails. Restaurants like the Huckleberry Inn and Cascade Restaurant and Bar are popular with locals and tourists looking for a good meal.

Retail chains and box stores are rare in Government Camp. Locals travel to nearby Mount Hood Village or Sandy to pick up supplies and groceries.

Parks and Recreation
Skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching are just a few of the activities available to visitors. Alpine skiing at resorts like Timberline, Mount Hood Meadows, and Mt. Hood Skibowl are just a short drive from Government Camp. Cross Country skiing is popular here with Portlanders looking to get away for a quick day trip. Tea Cup Lake and the Cooper Spur Nordic Trails offer miles of groomed trails at the daily fee of $5-$10. There is also a designated area for snowmobilers looking for some excitement and snowmobile rentals.

Government Camp and the surrounding Mount Hood National Forest offer hundreds of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Camping is also quite popular here and the sites tend to fill up quickly in the summer; make your reservations early if you plan on camping here. Mount Hood is the second-most climbed mountain in the world as over 10,000 people attempt to reach the summit each year. Permits are required during climbing season (April to June) and hikers and climbers are encouraged to carry mountain locater units.

Visit the Mount Hood Cultural Museum to read up on local history and national history surrounding the area.

Here's a little gem of Government Camp history of the Ski-Way bus tram from Government Camp to Timberline Lodge in the 1950's.

Living
The natural beauty of Government Camp real estate is a strong draw for visitors and people looking to invest in vacation rentals. The median home cost hovers around $260,000 which includes luxury homes, condos, and even log cabins. The area has gone through many renovations in the past ten years including a much-debated Clackamas County urban renewal project. The overall cost of living is lower than the national average.

Schools, Health, Transportation
The Oregon Trail School District serves mostly rural areas of unincorporated Clackamas County including the Mount Hood Corridor and Government Camp. Grade school and middle school-aged children in Government Camp attend classes at Welches Grade and Middle Schools. High school-aged students attend Sandy High School.  Government Camp students have options for higher education in nearby Portland and at the Mount Hood Community College in Gresham which is about 40 miles away.

A variety of private medical practices are located in the surrounding towns near Government Camp with the Hoodland Family Medical Clinic in Welches being the closest family practice clinic. Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham is the closest hospital.

Government Camp is accessible by car with shuttle services available to and from the Mount Hood ski areas. Portland area transit companies offer bus services to and from Mount Hood.