Day Epass And National Forest Day Pass
Cost
- $5 per day generally
Benefits
- Honored at all Forest Service operated recreation sites in Washington and Oregon where a day use fee is required.
- Allows the pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle use of the recreation facilities.
- Allows the pass holder use of recreation facilities at per-person sites. Other members in the party must pay the per-person fee.
- The day pass is also convenient for second vehicles when the second vehicle will not be attached to its primary vehicle.
Validation
- Purchased online and printed at home.
- The pass is validated at the time of purchase for the date selected by the visitor.
- Can be validated for same day that it is purchased.
- Any modification to the pass will void the pass and may result in a warning notice or a violation notice.
- Only good until midnight for the day the buyer validates it for.
Display
How to get these passes
Alerts & Warnings
Best Campgrounds Near Mt Hood
Some of the best campgrounds near Mt. Hood include 13 that circle the magnificent dormant volcano in the Cascade Range about 50 miles east-southeast of Portland.
Mt. Hood is a potentially active volcano and is Oregons highest mountain at about 11,250 feet. Its covered by snow year round and is home to 12 glaciers and snowfields. Theres also 6 six resorts around the mountain and over 1 million acres in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
Outdoor recreation includes popular activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, rafting, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking and wildlife viewing.
Our list of best campgrounds near Mt. Hood include 13 popular camps that sell out quickly. If a campground is sold out, remember to try our Campsite Assist tool to get campsite availability notifications. Youll receive a text and email when a site becomes available for the dates you want to camp.
Best Campgrounds Near Mt. Hood
Tollgate
Just 32 miles southeast of Portland, Tollgate campground has 15 single-family campsites along the Zig Zag River. The river will lull you to sleep each night and you can get up the next morning for some fine fishing. Mixed use trails are also near the camp.
Trillium Lake
Hope you enjoyed the post on best campgrounds near Mt. Hood! And dont forget to give Campsite Assist a try to get campsite availability alerts if your campground is sold out.
Best Regards,
Elementary Middle And High School
In the 20132014 school year, the state had 567,000 students in public schools. There were 197 public school districts, served by 19 .
In 2016, the largest school districts in the state were:, comprising 47,323 students , comprising 40,565 students , comprising 39,625 students , comprising 21,118 students and , comprising 17,053 students.
Approximately 90.5% of Oregon high school students graduate, improving on the national average of 88.3% as measured from the .
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Priest Hole Recreation Site
Location: Near Painted Hills
Free camping near the Painted Hills just doesnt get much better than Priest Hole Recreation Site.
Dispersed camping is the name of the game here. Theres plenty of room to spread out and youre even allowed to camp right down on the river bar.
In fact, the river itself is the best part about camping here. Priest Hole is located right alongside the middle of the Wild and Scenic John Day River. This makes for excellent fishing, swimming, and rafting.
Although amenities are sparse, you can expect a handful of rock fire rings as well as one surprisingly clean vault toilet. Natural shade is in short supply, although the scraggly vegetation does provide a little bit of privacy for those camping near the river.
Plan to drive about three miles down a relatively smooth gravel road before turning onto the much rougher access road. The road is bumpy , but you dont need 4WD, although high-clearance is helpful.
Ive seen plenty of RVs and trailers camped here , but I personally wouldnt take anything longer than about 30 feet maximum here. Dont be afraid to scout ahead on foot if youre in a big rig.
What I Like:
What I Dont Like:
Despite the isolated location, dont come here if youre looking for privacy. The camping area is quite open, so youll almost certainly see and hear your neighbors, especially on busy summer weekends. Natural shade is limited. Dont forget to look out for rattlesnakes!
Other Free Campsites Nearby:
For More Info:
National Forest Or Grassland
The Forest Service oversees 155 national forests, 20 grasslands, and one tall-grass prairie. Each administrative unit typically comprises several ranger districts, under the overall direction of a forest supervisor. Within the supervisor’s office, the staff coordinates activities among districts, allocates the budget, and provides technical support to each district. Forest supervisors are line officers and report to regional foresters.
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Religious And Secular Communities
| 100 |
Oregon has frequently been cited by statistical agencies for having a smaller percentage of religious communities than other U.S. states. According to a 2009 , Oregon was paired with as the two “least religious” states in the United States.
In the same 2009 Gallup poll, 69% of Oregonians identified themselves as being . The largest Christian denominations in Oregon by number of adherents in 2010 were the with 398,738 with 147,965 and the with 45,492. Oregon also contains the largest community of Russian to be found in the United States. Judaism is the largest non-Christian religion in Oregon with more than 50,000 adherents, 47,000 of whom live in the Portland area. Recently, new kosher food and Jewish educational offerings have led to a rapid increase in Portland’s Orthodox Jewish population. The Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association is headquartered in Portland. There are an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 in Oregon, most of whom live in and around Portland.
Most of the remainder of the population had no religious affiliation the 2008 placed Oregon as tied with Nevada in fifth place of U.S. states having the highest percentage of residents identifying themselves as “non-religious”, at 24 percent. Secular organizations include the , the Humanists of Greater Portland , and the United States Atheists .
- Total Employment : 1,551,192
- Number of employer establishments : 114,551
Hart Mountain Hot Springs
Location: Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge
The campground near Hart Mountain Hot Springs is among my absolute favorites in all of Oregon.
Although its a developed campground and dispersed camping isnt allowed anywhere within the National Antelope Refuge, camping here is still completely free of charge.
The biggest draw is undoubtedly Hart Mountain Hot Springs . These natural hot springs consist of a built-up concrete pool surrounded by a stone wall and a separate undeveloped pool with no improvements. Although its much shallower, I prefer the undeveloped pool thanks to its wide-open views of the nearby mountains.
The campground is just a short walk from the springs and has 30 first-come, first-served campsites. The drive in is very long with moderate washboarding, but any passenger vehicle should be able to survive the journey . Small RVs and trailers should be fine, but avoid camping here in big rigs.
Camping is allowed year-round, but Id avoid this area in winter. Heavy snows often make the roads impassable, even in 4WD. The best times to enjoy the hot springs are spring and fall .
What I Like:
The scenery at Hart Mountain Hot Springs Campground is simply stunning. Wildlife, especially pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep, is abundant. The area is extremely remote which makes for very dark night skies. Of course, the nearby natural hot springs are one of the best reasons to make a trip here.
What I Dont Like:
Other Free Campsites Nearby:
For More Info:
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Mount Hood Scenic Loop
The Mount Hood Scenic Loop is a pretty river-and-mountains drive that takes in Portland, Hood River, and Mount Hood National Forest. The first stretch connects the state’s largest city, Portland, with quiet villages and waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge.
At Hood River, this riverside drive takes a southerly turn on SR 35. The road heads toward the mountain, leading past agricultural land and the Hood River Valley to connect with US Hwy 26.
Also called the Mount Hood Highway, this route passes a number of historical sites, small communities, and attractions such as the Salmon River at Wildwood Recreation Site on its return to Portland.
The charming community of Government Camp is near the base of the mountain and features a quaint collection of ski shops, restaurants, and motor inns. Great views of Mount Hood line the entire route.
Mount Hood National Forest
| Mount Hood National Forest |
|---|
| Snow-covered Mount Hood in the Mount Hood National Forest |
| Location |
| 1,071,466 acres |
| Established |
| 4.4 million |
| Governing body |
| Mount Hood National Forest |
The Mount Hood National Forest is a U.S. National Forest in the U.S. state of Oregon, located 62 miles east of the city of Portland and the northern Willamette River valley. The Forest extends south from the Columbia River Gorge across more than 60 miles of forestedmountains, lakes and streams to the Olallie Scenic Area, a high lake basin under the slopes of Mount Jefferson. The Forest includes and is named after Mount Hood, a stratovolcano and the highest mountain in the state.
The Forest encompasses some 1,067,043 acres . Forest headquarters are located in Sandy, Oregon.
A 1993 Forest Service study estimated that the extent of old growth in the Forest was 345,300 acres . The Forest is divided into four separate districts Barlow , Clackamas River , Hood River , and Zigzag .
In descending order of land area, Mount Hood National Forest is located in parts of Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Multnomah, , and Jefferson counties.
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Have An Awesome Oregon Camping Trip
Dispersed camping is my favorite way to explore all of Oregons incredibly beautiful outdoor wonders.
From the Oregon Coast to Mount Hood to Crater Lake to East Oregon, youre sure to find the perfect free campsite for your personal needs, whether you camp in a van, tent, RV, or trailer.
Still have questions about dispersed camping in Oregon? Dont hesitate to shoot me a line:
More Related Articles On Planetwarecom
Exploring Oregon: Ranging from ancient calderas to spectacular waterfalls, the top-rated attractions in Oregon span the entire state. For a little ocean appeal, the Oregon Coast offers beautiful beaches, forested headlands, and surreal sunsets. For the ultimate getaway in Oregon, our guide to weekend trips across the state will have you wanting to come back for more.
Dive Deep in Portland: Less than a 90-minute drive from Mount Hood, the nearby city of Portland is filled with cultural appeal. The outdoors are never far from Portland, and the best hiking trails in the Portland area cater to all types of adventure. For a place to pitch a tent near Portland, campgrounds in the area offer a natural escape not far from the city.
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United States Forest Service
| Logo of the U.S. Forest Service |
| Flag of the U.S. Forest Service |
| Agency overview |
|---|
| Preceding agency |
| c. 35,000 28,330 Permanent |
| $5.384 billion |
| Agency executives |
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the that administers the nation’s 154 and 20 . The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of land. Major divisions of the agency include the Chief’s Office, National Forest System, State and Private Forestry, Business Operations, and Research and Development. The agency manages about 25% of and is the only major national land management agency not part of the , which manages the , the , and the .
State And Private Forestry
The goal of the State and Private Forestry program is to assist with financial and technical assistance to private landowners, state agencies, tribes, and community resource managers. It provides assistance by helping sustain the United States’ urban and rural forests and their associated communities from wildland fires, insects, disease, and organisms. Approximately 537 staff are employed in the program and is administered through National Forest System regions and the Northeastern Area of the United States.
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Mt Hood Cultural Center And Museum
Alongside a great view of the mountain, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum provides a good look into the mid-nineteenth-century history of the area.
Featuring exhibits detailing earlier pioneers who explored Mt. Hood, the evolution of skiing on the mountain, and artifacts from its century-long status as a national forest, the cultural center and museum provides interesting insight into any Mt. Hood visit.
For those interested in hosting a group event, the spacious clubhouse and meeting room can be rented with advance reservation.
Address: 88900 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, Oregon
Mt Hood National Forest Campgrounds
The maximum length of stay at most campgrounds is 14 days.
Group Campgrounds: Raab Group Campground
Campgrounds with Group Campsites: Lost Lake Campground, Pine Point Campground, Toll Bridge Campground
Equestrian Camps: Clackamas Lake Campground, Joe Graham Horse Camp, Lost Lake Campground, Riley Horse Camp
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Huxley Lake Trail #521
Area Status:
This trail enters the Roaring River Wilderness. The trail provides access to Huxley Lake: a beautiful small fairly secluded lake with great vistas of the surrounding mountains.
This trail begins at Corral Springs Trail #507 and ends at Forest Road 4611 . From Lookout Springs, head south on Corral Springs Trail #507 for approximately 0.4 mile to the beginning of this trail . Turn right on this trail. The trail heads downhill and after 1.1 miles the trail intersects an old road, now a trail. Continue heading southwest 0.8 mile to the spur trail to Huxley Lake . From the junction, the trail levels and continues southwest 0.4 mile to the junction with a spur trail. The trail turns east-southeast here and continues 0.6 mile to its terminus at Forest Road 4611.
Escape To Mount Hood’s 17 Best Campgrounds
Summer is beginning to fade, and if you haven’t had a chance to go camping yet, you should definitely get an overnight trip on the calendar. To help you get started we’ve composed a list of the 17 best places to camp out in and around spectacular Mount Hood. Reservations can be hard to get for the prime summer weekends, but if you have any flexibility in your schedule, you’ll find there are plenty of sites with beautiful lake and mountain views.
In no particular order, our 17 favorite campgrounds on Mount Hood’s are:
Trillium Lake Campground. One of the most iconic views of Wy’east, but you’ll be confronted with crowds.
Still Creek Campground. Located close to Trillium Lake, you’ll find 27 shaded sites with picnic tables and fire pits.
Salmon River, Old Trail . One of the best escapes from crowds under a canopy of old-growth forest.
Timothy Lake, Hoodview Campground. Best views of the mountain, but booking a site may be tricky.
Timothy Lake, Oak Fork Campground. Spacious sites with direct access to Timothy Lake.
Timothy Lake, Meditation Point Campsites . No views of the Mount Hood, but easily the lake’s best camping spots.
White River Campground. Secluded and quiet escape from all the other weekend warriors.
Clackamas Lake Campground. Majestic meadows and lake, but may be a bit buggy. Horses and trail riding welcome, though!
Lost Creek Campground. Quiet campground, but right next to Ramona Falls.
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Oregon Dispersed Camping Rules And Regulations
I cant repeat it enough always follow the Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping .
Most importantly, pack out all of your trash. Our public lands are experiencing a huge trash problem, both from unprepared campers and plain old a-holes.
So, come prepared to pack out your own trash, including food waste. I try to leave each campsite even cleaner than it was before I got there by picking up any garbage other campers left behind.
In addition to packing out your trash, its vital to properly dispose of human waste, especially in environmentally-sensitive areas.
Burying human waste in a cat hole is allowed on much of Oregons public lands as long as its 200 feet from any campsite, trail, or water source. But, I personally prefer to pack all of my waste out, either in a WAG bag or, better yet, a cheap portable camping toilet like the Luggable Loo.
Make sure to also follow all summertime campfire restrictions , stay out of any closed areas, and respect all stay limits .
What Are The Best Places To Camp In The Mt Hood National Forest
There really isnt a bad place to camp in the Mt. Hood National Forest. For starters, you should bookmark this complete list of campgrounds in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
If you dont like crowds, the Lost Creek Campground off Lolo Pass Road would be a good option for you. Its near many hiking trails, such as the ever popular Ramona Falls. Another option is the Green Canyon Campground on the Salmon River. It does get pretty busy, but there are lots of spots you can hike in to next to the river and camp, and some beautiful trails in the area.
While wildly popular, and usually crowded on a sunny weekend, our favorite spot to camp is one of the many campgrounds around Timothy Lake.
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