Mount Hood National Recreation Area

Mount Hood National Recreation Area spans 34,550 acres across three separate sections, featuring forests, lakes, mountains, and extensive hiking trails.

The recreation area gained federal protection in 2009 through the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, transferring 130 acres from Bureau of Land Management.

The United States Forest Service manages this protected land through conservation programs while maintaining public access for outdoor recreation and education.

Visitors need climbing permits for Mount Hood summit attempts, and can make camping reservations at Armstrong Campground or Clackamas Lake through Recreation.gov.

The three non-contiguous units - Mount Hood, Fifteenmile, and Shellrock - surround but do not include Mount Hood itself, which belongs to Mount Hood Wilderness.

Location: Oregon

Operator: United States Forest Service

GPS coordinates: 45.26667,-121.66667

Latest update: November 23, 2025 07:04