Barlow Creekside Lodge in Mount Hood

Look no further for peace and quiet. This beautiful three bedroom cabin sits on a secluded lot over a mile from the highway. The only sounds you'll hear as you relax in the hot tub on the wraparound deck are the babbling waters of Clear Creek running past, songbirds chirping, and rain dripping from the branches of the lush evergreens surrounding the house. It's very hard to believe that downtown Portland is just an hour away, and the conveniences of ZigZag (a few good restaurants and a full grocery store) can be reached within five minutes.

With plenty of room for up to ten guests, the cabin itself offers a wonderful combination of rustic lodge decor and modern amenities. Settle in for a long conversation in the upstairs living room, with comfortable leather furnishings arranged before a wood-burning fireplace, or turn on the cable TV with DVD player for a very cozy movie marathon. The bright and cheery kitchen is fully stocked with everything you'll need to prepare hearty breakfasts, and the dishwasher makes clean-up easy.

A downstairs den offers a separate space for guests to gather, complete with a table and chairs for board games, a casual bar, and a CD player. The second floor sunroom may be the best reading nook in the house, no matter what the weather is like outside. With expansive windows overlooking the pine trees, you'll feel as though you are communing with nature even when curled up on the wicker sofa, cupping a mug of hot chocolate and watching the rain fall.

Just off the sunporch, the master bedroom feels like it belongs in Timberline Lodge, with plaid wallpaper, a log-frame queen bed, and more amazing forest views. The second bedroom has a full-sized four-poster bed, and the third room has three twin-sized bunk beds that sleeps up to six very comfortably. Two full bathrooms each have walk-in showers.

The best spot in the house, though, isn't actually in the house at all. The deck outside has a private hot tub nestled in a corner, where you can soothe your muscles after a long day of hiking or skiing, and enjoy some truly excellent stargazing. On sunny days, everyone can gather around the grill for a barbecue and dine at the deck's picnic table, even raising the umbrella for a bit of shade. A second wooden deck sits just beside the river, with another picnic table nestled among the trees by the water's edge. Add in the fire pit for marshmallow roasting, and you may have found the world's most comfortable summer camp!

The house is located just over a mile from Highway 26 and the village of ZigZag. All the amenities you could need are within easy reach, yet the house itself feels like a world away from the cares of day-to-day life. If you like a little adventure with your mountain getaway, however, you'll find ski resorts, snowmobiling, hiking trails, fishing holes, and much more within easy reach.

• Riverfront
• Wood Stove
• Internet / WIFI
• Hot Tub

Rates range from $135/nt-$305/nt.

For an exact quote, send us an inquiry and we'll respond instantly with the total cost for your dates and a link to reserve it online.