- Mt. Hood Wilderness lies within the Mt. Hood National Forest in central Oregon, encompassing the peak and slopes of Mt. Hood herself.
- Easy to access via Highway 35 from Hood River or Highway 26 from Portland.
- Mountain climbing, hiking, skiing, and camping highlight the available activities.
Overview
Mt. Hood Wilderness within the Mt. Hood National Forest was designated a protected wilderness area in 1964. This wilderness wraps around the base of Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest mountain, and encompasses old-growth rainforest, glaciers, stony ridges, river canyons, mountain lakes, and meadows. Several Mt. Hood Wilderness regions offer evidence of pioneer crossings, as the historic Oregon Trail passed through its boundaries.
Abundant opportunity for recreation can be found in the Mt. Hood Wilderness, including mountain climbing on Hood’s steep slopes, hiking trails, skiing and other snow sports, camping, backpacking, fishing, boating, and swimming. Visitors enjoy viewing the lovely landscape and can partake of a variety of historic tours and scenic drives, tracing the paths of Oregon’s early settlers.
Location & Information
The Mt. Hood Wilderness encompasses Mt. Hood’s peak and wraps around the mountain to cover about 67,000 acres of national forest in Central Oregon. The wilderness can be accessed via the Mt. Hood Highway (State Highway 35) or U.S. Highway 26. A network of small forest routes provides access to trailheads, campgrounds, and mountain slopes.
Activities
- Mountain climbing: Mt. Hood attracts more than 10,000 climbers each year.
- Hiking: a web of trails surround the mountain, including the popular Timberline Trail which circles Mt. Hood and a section of the famed Pacific Crest Trail.
- Camping, backpacking, and water sports.
- Fishing for trout, steelhead, and salmon.
- Skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing nearby.
