Mount Hood - near Hood River, OR - a park surrounding a volcano

Mount Hood National Forest contains the highest peak in Oregon which is Mount Hood near Hood River, Oregon at an elevation of 11,245 feet. Only seventy-five kilometers to the east, southeast of Portland it is one of the most accessible volcanoes in Oregon. The southern side of the volcano can be reached from highway 26 while the eastside can be reached from highway 35; there are a number of graded or paved roads to provide further access to Mount Hood. However there are no trails to the summit of the volcano.

There is a hiking trail encircling Mount Hood which is protected by the Mount Hood Wilderness that is also part of the Mount Hood National Forest. There are almost forty-eight thousand acres protected by the Wilderness Act. Visitors are asked to respect the area and leave nothing behind. Congress passed the act which developed the National Wilderness Preservation System during 1964 to help ensure that the area was just as enjoyable in the future as it is today.

Mount Hood National Scenic Byway is a route that goes around Mount Hood with a view of the surrounding areas. There are historical markers, museums, monuments and trails in the area. The byway can be traveled in either direction depending on preference when visiting the area; it connects to Historic Columbia River Highway or All American Road by following the natural formation of the mountain. It gives access to the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls in addition to Mount Hood.

The villages of Mount Hood offer art galleries, a brewery and inn and antique shops for visitor's enjoyment. The route around the mountain is lined with family farms, flowers and trees as part of the scenery. Those that plan to visit the Mount Hood Wilderness area are required to purchase permits even if they don't plan to visit the summit of the mountain. The permits which are free and self issued are available at the Wy'East Day Lodge in the Timberline Lodge twenty-four hours a day.

There is a limit of twelve people to a group at the Mount Hood National Forest. Some of the trails at Mount Hood National Forest require a Northwest Forest Pass which can be gotten from local stores or the Forest District offices. The cost is $30 per year or $5 a day per vehicle. There are day use fees associated with Clear, Lost and Trillium Lake; areas that have fees do not require Northwest Forest Passes.

Mount Hood National Forest has campgrounds some of which are first come-first serve while others require reservations. There are recreation passes available to use the picnic areas, boat launches and trail heads at the national forests in the state of Oregon. Additional information about the campgrounds and passes required can be gotten by contacting the park directly.

With the variety of options at the Mount Hood National Forest such as visiting the volcano, camping or simply enjoying the scenery by taking a hike there is something to the entire family to enjoy.