Located twenty miles east of the city of Portland and the northern Willamette River valley, the Mount Hood National Forest extends south from the strikingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge across more than sixty miles of forested mountains, lakes and streams to Olallie Scenic Area, a high lake basin under the slopes of Mt. Jefferson. Mount Hood National Forest began its life as the Cascade Range Forest reserve in 1893. In 1908, it was divided into several National Forests, when the northern portion was merged with the Bull Run Reserve (city watershed) and named Oregon National Forest. In 1924, the name was changed to what we know it as today.
Some popular destinations that offer rewarding visits are Timberline Lodge, built in 1937 high on Mt. Hood, Lost Lake, Trillium Lake, Timothy Lake, Rock Creek Reservoir and portions of the Old Oregon Trail, including Barlow Road.
There are 189,200 acres of designated wilderness in Wilderness Areas on the Forest. The largest is the Mount Hood Wilderness, which includes the mountain’s peak and upper slopes. Others are Badger Creek, Salmon-Huckleberry, Hatfield and Bull-of-the-Woods. Olallie Scenic Area is a lightly roaded lake basin that provides a primitive recreational experience.
Visitors enjoy fishing, camping, boating and hiking in the summer, hunting in the fall and skiing and other snow sports in the winter. Berry-picking and mushroom collection are popular and for many area residents, a trip in December to cut the family’s Christmas tree is a long standing tradition.
Attractions
The Mount Hood National Forest extends south from the strikingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge across more than sixty miles of forested mountains, lakes and streams to Olallie Scenic Area, a high lake basin under the slopes of Mt. Jefferson. Some popular destinations that offer rewarding visits are Timberline Lodge, built in 1937 high on Mt. Hood, Lost Lake, Trillium Lake, Timothy Lake, Rock Creek Reservoir and portions of the Old Oregon Trail, including Barlow Road.
Recreation
The many visitors to the Mount Hood National Forest enjoy fishing, camping, boating and hiking in the summer, hunting in the fall and skiing and other snow sports in the winter. Berry-picking and mushroom collection are popular and for many area residents, a trip in December to cut the family’s Christmas tree is a long standing tradition.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Mount Hood National Forest
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055
Phone: 503-668-1700
Location
The Mount Hood National Forest is located twenty miles east of the city of Portland and the northern Willamette River Valley. The Forest stretches about 60 miles south from the Columbia River. The Forest Headquarters is located in Sandy, with district offices in Dufur, Estacada, Mt. Hood-Parkdale, Welches and Zigzag, OR.
Weather/Climate
Like other parts of the Pacific Northwest, climate on the Mount Hood National Forest changes with elevation. The area receives a high amount of precipitation. Much of the precipitation comes from October to April in the form of rain at the low elevations and as wet heavy snow in the higher elevations. Although snow is possible in the lowest elevations, it is infrequent. Late spring, summer and early autumn tend to bring clear, sunny days with moderate temperatures.
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