Recreation
View the Recreation opportunities, sites, trails, and areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has many areas and places to explore through hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, hunting, snow sports and other outdoor activities.
This area is located in the Northern most portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington, and comprises about 575,000 acres.…
The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and District contains many wonderful places to see and explore. On the west side of Mount St Helens…
This area is located in the eastern portions of Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington and comprises 367,000 acres. This area…
View the many Recreation Groups on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The Pacific Crest Trail within Gifford Pinchot National Forest begins in the Columbia Gorge and runs north to enter Gifford Pinchot National Forest just south of Wind River
Recreation
Ape Cave Interpretive Site
Site Open
Explore a chilly, pitch‑black lava tube stretching more than two miles underground. A short, paved, accessible trail beneath towering trees leads to a stairwell descending into the cave. The…
Bear Meadow Interpretive Site
Site Open
On May 18, 1980, Gary Rosenquist was camped at this site and took a series of photos capturing the first few moments of the landslide and eruption, barely escaping with his life. The site offers a…
Big Creek Trailhead
Site Open
Provides access to Trail #252 Big Creek, which leads to Cora Lake.Â
Blast Edge Viewpoint; Monument Entry
Site Open
The lateral blast during the 1980 eruption thundered across the landscape as far as 17 miles from the volcano, blasting away, flattening or leaving standing dead trees. Stop and marvel at the…
Bluff Mountain Trailhead
Site Open
Provides access to Bluff Mountain Trail #172, in the Silver Star area.Â
Boating Site: Goose Lake
Site Open
Concrete boat ramp with a 10 vehicle parking lot.Fishing for stocked trout including rainbows and browns can be fair to excellent. Small brook trout and native cutthroat are also present. Try olive…
Boating Site: Mosquito Lakes
Site Open
Mosquito Lake is a beautiful subalpine lake with good fishing in season. It is an ideal lake for canoeing. It has a paved parking area that holds 4 vehicles and a primitive gravel boat ramp.The dam…
Burley Mountain Lookout
Site Open
Built in 1934, Burley Mountain Lookout is one of three remaining lookouts on the forest. It is still being used for fire detection. The Burley Mountain Lookout Trail #256A takes hikers from a…
Campground: Adams Fork
Site Open
This wooded area along the Adams Fork of the Cispus River makes a great campground location. The campground contains historic basket trees used by the Upper Cowlitz Tribe and has interpretive…
Campground: Atkisson Group Camp
Site Open
Sitting just west of Washington's second largest mountain, Mt. Adams, Atkisson Group Camp is open for campers between May and September and becomes a Sno-Park for a variety of winter recreation…