- Located southwest of Hood River and east of Mount Hood, Badger Creek Wilderness is easily accessed from Highway 35.
- Popular for its more than 55 miles of hiking trails and spectacular views, especially from Lookout Mountain.
Overview
From the 6,525-foot summit of Lookout Mountain, travelers can look west up to the Cascade peaks and towering Mount Hood, or east out over the Oregon high desert terrain. Lookout Mountain stands right in the heart of the Badger Creek Wilderness, more than 28,000 acres of subalpine Oregon beauty designated a federal wilderness area in 1984.
In addition to the views, visitors to Badger Creek Wilderness enjoy various recreations such as hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, bird and wildlife watching, and horseback riding.
Location & Information
Easiest access to the Badger Creek Wilderness is afforded via Highway 35 south from Hood River to the Robin Hood campground on the highway’s east side.
The wilderness is overseen by the Barlow Ranger District: (541) 467-2291.
Activities
- Badger Creek National Recreation Trail follows Badger Creek’s entire 12-mile length.
- Gumjuwac Saddle Trail is a steep, 2.4-mile climb to the junction of four trails, with a fine view of Mount Hood.
- Gorgeous views of the Cascade peaks and ridges, glacial valleys, mountain hemlock forests, and high desert pine and white oak.
- Mountain lakes offer fishing, mainly trout and salmon, and swimming.
- Rustic campgrounds and backpacking routes.
