Gifford Pinchot National Forest
 

Recreation

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Recreation Areas

Recreation activities and sites on the forest are organized by recreation area. Gifford Pinchot National Forest recreational areas on the map to the left include:

Gifford Pinchot National Forest vicinity map. CLICK HERE for larger version.

Cowlitz Valley Vicinity

Mt Adams Vicinity

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument area

Mount St Helens surrounding area

Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument

Mount St Helens AreaThe Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument is located within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest! Please visit the Monument area website for information about the unique and exciting Mount St Helens area.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

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Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
  
Angel Falls Loop Trail #228B Open to Visitor
Atkisson Group Camp Open to Visitor gated: please call 1-877-444-6777 or log on to recreation.gov for reservations.
Beaver Campground Open to Visitor
Big Creek Falls Trail #28 Open to Visitor 05/09/12: Open .
Big Creek Falls Trailhead Open to Visitor 05/09/12: Open
Big Tree Trail #51 Open to Visitor 05/09/2012: the trail is clear.
Bishop Ridge Trail #272 Closed to Visitor 05/04/2012: 2 miles of trail have been cleared.
Buck Creek Trailhead #54 - Lower Open to Visitor
Bunker Hill Trail #145 Open to Visitor 05/09/2012: the trail is clear
Camp Creek Falls Trail #260 Open to Visitor
Coldwater Lake Picnic And Boating Site Open to Visitor Fishing is good now. Olive Wooley-buggers or firetiger lures will catch fish. Single-point, barbless hooks and no combustion motors. One a day limit over 16". Northwest Forest Pass required.
Concession Campgrounds    Current Schedule
Covel Creek Falls Trail #228a Open to Visitor 05/22/2012: Trail has not been logged out.
Covel Creek Trail #228 Open to Visitor 05/22/2012: Trail has not been logged out.
Curly Creek Falls Trailhead Open to Visitor 05/09/12: Open
Curly Creek and Miller Creek Falls Trail #31A Open to Visitor 05/09/12: Open
East Canyon Trail #265 Closed to Visitor 05/09/2012: cleared from FR 2322 for 1.5 miles.
Falls Creek Falls Trail #152A Open to Visitor 05/21/201: trail is open, trailhead will close for 5 days starting May 21st, 2012.
Falls Creek Falls Trailhead #152A Open to Visitor 005/21/2012: The trailhead will close for 5 days starting 5/21/2012.
Falls Creek Trail #152 Open to Visitor 05/21/2012: The trailhead and road are snow free and cleared of down trees.
Falls Creek Trailhead #152 Open to Visitor 05/21/2012: The trailhead and road are snow free and cleared of down trees.
Forest Road 20 Open to Visitor 5/22/2012: Snow levels are around 3300ft.
Forest Road 21 Open to Visitor 5/17/2012: Blocked by snow from Randle end (4 inches) 1.8 miles past Chimney, 3,100 feet elevation. From Packwood end, road is clear to just beyond FR 2150 jct.
Forest Road 2150 Closed to Visitor
Forest Road 23 Closed to Visitor 5/22/2012: From the Randle end the road is open to MP 27.6 ahd then snow. 5/14/2012: from Trout Lake clear from Trout Lake to the intersection with the 8031 Rd.
Forest Road 2329 Closed to Visitor 5/17/2012: Unreachable due to snow.
Forest Road 24 Closed to Visitor 5/21/2012: Can get to the ice caves, from Trout Lake, but the rest of the road is still blocked by snow.
Forest Road 25 Closed to Visitor 5/9/2012: Closed at Benham Creek crossing for bridge replacement. Scheduled for opening July 2.
Forest Road 26 Closed to Visitor 5/17/2012: The road is snow free to MP 10.6. Washout at MP 13.8 makes the road impassable. Snow level approx. 3000ft.
Forest Road 2750 Open to Visitor
Forest Road 28 Closed to Visitor 5/17/2012: Road is snow free to MP 12.
Forest Road 30/Wind River Highway Open to Visitor 5/21/2012: Currently the road is plowed to Lone Butte Sno-Park. Lone Butte Sno-Park is plowed to a1leviate parking on the road. The Curly Creek Road is passable all the way through to the 90 Rd.
Forest Road 41 Open to Visitor
Forest Road 4109    3/26/2011: Snow
Forest Road 42 Closed to Visitor 5/22/2012: Snow at approx. 3800 feet elevation
Forest Road 48 Closed to Visitor 5/22/2012: Snow levels are around 3300 feet elevation. High Clearance vehicles.
Forest Road 51/Curley Creek Cut-off Open to Visitor
Forest Road 52 Open to Visitor 5/9/12: Open. Watch for frost heaves and slumps in the road. Motorbikes be especially cautious! Beginning on July 9th and continuing for approximately two weeks, Forest Road 52 (Skate Creek Road) will undergo surface repairs in the area between MP 17.2 and MP 18.7 (immediately east of the Sethe Bridge). Traffic may be delayed for up to 30 minutes while this work is occurring.
Forest Road 54/Canyon Creek Open to Visitor 5/23/2012: Snow at approx. 3800 feet elevation. User reports Soda Peaks Lake not accesible by vehicle from the west.
Forest Road 56 Closed to Visitor 5/17/2012: Road is snow free to MP 6, just before Cody Horse Camp.
Forest Road 5603 Closed to Visitor 5/23/12: Blocked by snow at approx. 3800ft.
Forest Road 5701 Open to Visitor
Forest Road 59 Closed to Visitor 5/22/2012: Snow levels are approx. 3300ft.
Forest Road 60 Closed to Visitor 5/21/2012: Passable to Four Corners area.
Forest Road 63 Closed to Visitor 5/21/2012: Snow levels are approx. 3300ft.
Forest Road 65 Closed to Visitor 5/21/2012: Passable to the 4 corners area.
Forest Road 66 Closed to Visitor 5/21/2012: The road is snow free from Willard to about a mile past the Forest Service Boundary.
Forest Road 75 Closed to Visitor 5/21/2012:  There is a washout at MP 5.5.
Forest Road 76 Open to Visitor
Forest Road 80 and 8040 Closed to Visitor 5/21/2012: The road is clear from the south end to 1.5 miles past Wicky Shelter. This means there is snow on approximately the last 5.5 miles of the road.
Forest Road 81 Open to Visitor 5/7/12: Open on west side to Kalama Horse Camp
Forest Road 82 / 8225 Open to Visitor 5/21/2012: Passable to the intersection with the 181 spur road.
Forest Road 83 Open to Visitor 5/8/2012: Open to Marble Mt. Sno-Park
Forest Road 84 Closed to Visitor 5/22/2012: Snow levels are approx. 3300ft.
Forest Road 85 Closed to Visitor 5/22/2012: Snow levels are approx. 3300ft.
Forest Road 88 Closed to Visitor 5/21/2012: The road is passable from the 141 to 1.5 miles past Flattop sno-park. Watch for down trees past Flattop.
Forest Road 90 Open to Visitor 5/20/2012: Road is open to just east of crossing of Table Mountain trail No. 18, east of mile marker 42. Junction with road No. 88 is accessible.
Forest Road 93 Closed to Visitor 5/23/2012: Snow
Forest Road 99 Closed to Visitor 5/9/12: Gated closed for the season. Expected to open after 07/04/12.
Glacier Lake Trail #89 Closed to Visitor 12/28/11: The FR 2110 is washed out to the trailhead. Because of this there is an extra 1/2 mile to the hike.
Goat Creek Trail #205 Closed to Visitor 2/28/2012: Due to a significant washout in a hazardous location at Milepost 0.5, the Goat Creek Trail will be closed until further notice. The washout will be evaluated in May for potential trail reconstruction. At present time, the trail is potenially hazardous to hikers and impassable to horses. No timeframe has been established for repair and restoration of access.
Government Mineral Springs Campground Open to Visitor
Government Mineral Springs Recreation Rental Open to Visitor 04/25/2012: You can now drive to the cabin. Please remember to turn off the heaters, oven, and lamps when you leave.
Green River Horse Camp Closed to Visitor 03/26/2012:Snow
Hemlock Picnic Site Open to Visitor Come see a steelhead recovery site in progress on this historic compound.
High Bridge Trail #293 Open to Visitor 5/8/2012: Cleared to Tongue Mtn. jct.
Horseshoe Ridge Trail #140    03/26/2012: snow on 57 road.
Ice Cave Picnic Site Open to Visitor 05/21/2012: You can now drive to the ice caves.
Indian Pits Trail #180E Closed to Visitor 03/26/2012:Snow
Iron Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Iron Creek Campground Loop Trail #187 Open to Visitor Bridge failure. Detour routes available.
Iron Creek Oldgrowth Trail #83 Open to Visitor
Kalama Horse Camp Open to Visitor 05/08/12: Water for horses only.
Kraus Ridge Trail #275 Open to Visitor 05/03/2012: Trail has been logged out.
La Wis Wis Campground Open to Visitor 5/18/2012: Campground is open, no water is available. Reduced fees at this time.
La Wis Wis Picnic Site Open to Visitor
Layser Cave Interpretive Site Open to Visitor
Layser Cave Trail #290 Open to Visitor 05/01/2012: Open
Lewis River Trail #31 Open to Visitor 05/24/2012: Open some trees down, passable muddy in spots.
Lewis River Trail #31, Curly Creek TH to LFRA Open to Visitor 05/24/12: Open, a few trees down, muddy in places. Popular MT. Bike Trail on weekends Passable.
Lewis River Trail #31, LFRA to QCF Trail #5 Open to Visitor 05/24/2012: Open, A few trees down. Muddy in places. Passable.
Lower Falls Campground Open to Visitor Open: Lower Loop only. Whole campground expected to open May 17th. Currenlty no water available.
Lower Falls Day Use Picnic Site Open to Visitor 05/09/2012
McClellan Observation Site Open to Visitor
Middle Falls Trail #31C Closed to Visitor 05/09/2012:Open
Middle Falls Trailhead Open to Visitor 05/09/2012:Open
Monument Entry Road 99 Interpretive Site Closed to Visitor Expected to open after 07/04/12.
Moss Creek Campground Closed to Visitor This campground is snow free but currently gated with no services. It is scheduled to open on May 24, 2012.
Mt. Adams Horse Camp Open to Visitor
Oldgrowth Loop Trail #247A Open to Visitor
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000    05/09/2012: The section of the PCT from Bunker to the 68 Rd. is clear.
Packwood Lake Trailhead Open to Visitor 05/08/2012: Northwest Forest Pass required.
Panther Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Paradise Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Peterson Prairie Guard Station Open to Visitor 05/21/2012: Forest road 24 is snow covered and impassable beyond The ice caves. a 1 mile ski or snowshoe to cabin. No water at this time. Please remember to turn off the heaters, oven, and lamps when you leave.
Silver Star #180 & Silver Star Summit #180D Closed to Visitor 05/08/12: Increasing snow with elevation. Hiker Reported.
Silver Star Scenic Area Closed to Visitor
Silver Star Trailhead Closed to Visitor 05/08/12: Increasing snow with elevation. Hiker Reported.
Siouxon Drainage Area Open to Visitor 03/25/2012: Open
Siouxon Trail #130 Open to Visitor 05/24/2012: Open
Sleeping Beauty Peak Trail #37 Closed to Visitor 05/09/2012: The Road to this trailhead is not cleared and impassable by vehicle. Will update when cleared.
South Climb Trailhead #183 Closed to Visitor 05/21/2012: Several feet of snow at the trailhead. The whole mountain is snow covered, can not drive to the trailhead. If climbing take the winter route to avoid the cornice on the Crescent Glacier. The 80 road is snow covered and impassable by vehicle starting 1.5 miles north of Wicky Shelter.
Spencer Butte Trailhead Closed to Visitor 03/26/2012: Snow
Sunset Day Use Picnic Site Open to Visitor 03/07/2012: Open
Sunset Falls Campground Open to Visitor
Sunset Falls Trail #174 Open to Visitor 05/24/2012: Open
Tongue Mountain Trail #294 Open to Visitor 05/08/2012: Cleared from FR 2801 to High Bridge jct.
Trapper Creek Trailhead #192 Open to Visitor
Trout Lake Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Valley Trail #270 Open to Visitor 05/02/2012: The trail has been cleared. The Valley Trail is closed to motorized and stock use between FR 2300161 and 2300171 due to a bridge failure. There is a washout on the trail at Buck Creek. It is barely passable.
Whistle Punk Trail #59 Open to Visitor 05/09/2012: the trail is clear.
Wicky Creek Trail #38 Open to Visitor 05/09/2012: Clear from Mt. Adams Horse Camp to intersection with the 8031 Rd.
Wicky Shelter Campground Open to Visitor 5/21/2012: can reach the shelter
Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Interpretive Site Open to Visitor A great place for a picnic or hike, just south of randle Wash.
Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Trail #247 Open to Visitor Beaver, elk, deer, and many other critters may be seen in the five types of habitat along this interpretive signed 1.5 mile barrier free trail
Wright Meadow Trail #80    05/09/2012:Snow
Wright Meadows Trailhead Open to Visitor 05/09/2011: Opne on 90 Road
Yellowjacket Trail #1a Closed to Visitor 12/28/2011: Snow level approx. 3000ft.
Zig Zag Lake Trail #191    12/21/2011: Snow at 2500'

Spotlights

Forest Road 51/Curley Creek Cut-off

This short road is very popular, connecting FR 90 along the Lewis River with FR 30 along the Wind River. A Four hour drive from Carson or Cougar will bring you through the center of the southern end of the forest accessing all the Lewis and Wind river attractions, Government Mineral Springs, Trapper Creek and Indian Heaven wildernesses, and many other destinations.

Siouxon Trail #130

This trail offers views of many waterfalls including Horseshoe Falls and passes the ruins of Hickman's Cabin.

South Climb Trail #183

This Trail Open to Hiker and Equestrian Use.

This heavily used trail provides access to the South Climb of Mt. Adams in the Mt. Adams Wilderness. This is not a technically challenging climb, but it takes climbers at least 6 to 8 hours to ascend the nearly 6,700 vertical feet across snow and rock to reach the 12,276' summit of Mt. Adams.

See: Mt Adams Climbing Information.