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Mt. Adams Area

This area is located in the eastern portions of Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington and comprises 367,000 acres. This area includes Mt. Adams Wilderness, Indian Heaven Wilderness and Trapper Creek Wilderness. The area is administered by the Mt Adams Ranger District. 

The Lewis River Recreation Area is within Mt. Adams Ranger District. The Lewis River Recreation Area is a 14-mile corridor, situated alongside the Lewis River and Forest Road 90 within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This popular recreation area is located 26 miles east of Cougar, and 29 miles west of Trout Lake, WA. This area provides access to the popular Lewis River Trail #31, and associated waterfall viewing. Advanced reservations via Recreation.gov are required daily during the busy visitor season from June 15 through September 30.  

Mt. Adams is a prominent landmark in the area. Elevations here range between 1200 feet at the Wind River Work Center, 12 miles north of Carson, WA., and 12,276 feet at the summit of Mt. Adams. Precipitation varies from 70.7 inches of rain and 65.1 inches of snow at the Wind River Work Center and 44.1 inches of rain and 95.7 inches of snow at the Mt. Adams Ranger District office in Trout Lake, WA. The area features a great diversity of habitats and features, from old growth to second growth forest, wetland areas, low and high elevation meadows, glaciers, and low and high elevation lakes.

Mount Adams Climbing Conditions Report

General Information

 Contact: Mt Adams Ranger Station

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 911

Vicinity maps:

Passes & Permits

Permit Info:

  • If visiting the Mt. Adams Ranger Station to purchase a permit, call ahead to confirm availability. Hours can unexpectedly change due to a temporary staffing shortage.
  • Some trailheads require a valid Recreation Pass. (A valid Mt. Adams Climbing Permit parking stub may be used at trailheads requiring a pass within Mt. Adams Wilderness between May 1 and Sept. 30.)  
  • A Mt. Adams Climbing Pass is required if you are climbing above 7,000' elevation in Mt. Adams Wilderness, May 1-September 30. (For Wilderness travel at low elevation or during the off-season, free self-issued Wilderness permits are required.)
  • Reservations are required to visit Lewis River Recreation Area June 15-September 30. 

Recreation Sites

Showing: 1 - 10 of 183 results

Boating Site: Goose Lake

Site Temporarily Closed
Water Activities
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 Temporarily Closed
Water Activities Fishing
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 boat ramp.The dam is…

Campground: Atkisson Group Camp

Site Temporarily Closed
Outdoor Science and Learning
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…

Campground: Beaver

Site Temporarily Closed
Fishing Hiking Water Activities Outdoor Science and Learning
Beaver Campground is nestled among large, old maple and sycamore trees, offering a quiet and private family camping experience. Its location along the Wind River provides opportunities for anglers,…

Campground: Cultus Creek

Site Temporarily Closed
Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning
Cultus Creek campground is located in a pristine wooded setting on the boundary of Indian Heaven Wilderness. The trailhead for Indian Heaven Trail #33, a popular and challenging trail into the…

Campground: Forlorn Lakes

Site Temporarily Closed
Fishing Picnicking Water Activities
Forlorn Lakes, one of the most popular campgrounds in the southern part of the forest and all sites are First Come, First Serve. The campground offers 25 campsites scattered around the wooded shores…

Campground: Goose Lake

Site Temporarily Closed
Outdoor Science and Learning Fishing Water Activities
Goose Lake is a popular fishing, boating and swimming lake. Sites are First Come, First Serve only.This campground is especially good for families with children. The lake is stocked with fish several…

Campground: Government Mineral Springs

Site Temporarily Closed
Fishing Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning
This is a historic site in an attractive old-growth forest setting. The campground was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937.  Camp sites for tent camping are located under trees…

Campground: Lower Falls

Site Temporarily Closed
Fishing Outdoor Science and Learning
The campground is located in a pleasantly wooded setting on the Lewis River next to Lower Falls. The campsites are tucked in among the trees creating a sense of seclusion. The campground road is…

Campground: Morrison Creek

Site Temporarily Closed
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
This site was burned over in the Cascade Creek Fire of 2012. Several primitive camp sites are available, some along Morrison Creek. The site serves as a trailhead to the Shorthorn Trail #16 which…

Last updated July 30, 2025