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Mt. Adams Area

Mt. Adams area is administered by the Mt Adams Ranger District. 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 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.

General Information

Directions:

  • At Bingen, WA., take Hwy 141 north 25 miles to Trout Lake, WA. Continue on Hwy 141 through Trout Lake, one mile , and you will see the sign for the Mt. Adams Ranger District.

Information Center:

Mt Adams Ranger Station:

2455 Hwy 141
Trout Lake, WA 98650

Phone: (509) 395 3402

Email: SM.FS.r6_gp_forest@usda.gov 

 

Operational Hours:

  • View current office hours (call ahead before visiting in case of an unexpected closure)
  • To contact our office, please call (509) 395-3402. If you're unable to reach anyone, please leave a message with your phone number stated clearly and we will attempt to return your call as soon as possible.
  • Email questions to: SM.FS.r6_gp_forest@usda.gov
  • IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 911.

Passes & Permits

Permit Info:

  • If visiting the Mt. Adams Ranger Station to purchase a permit, we recommend calling the station’s number ahead of time to confirm they will be available at the time of your arrival. 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.)  
  • Purchase of a Mt. Adams Climbing Pass is required if you are climbing above 7,000 feet elevation in Mt. Adams Wilderness, between May 1 and September 30. (For Wilderness travel at low elevation or during the off-season, Wilderness Permits are required.)
  • A visit to Lewis River Recreation Area required advanced reservations via Recreation.Gov from June 15 through September 30. 

Recreation Sites

Showing: 1 - 10 of 95 results

Boating Site: Goose Lake

Site 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 Closed
Water Activities Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
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.

Campground: Atkisson Group Camp

Site Closed
Outdoor Science and Learning
In the summer this Sno-Park is the site of Atkinsson Group Camp. Located in a pleasant forested area, it has a large paved area with plenty of room for RVs. The surrounding terrain is has unused spur…

Campground: Beaver

Site Closed
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting 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 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 a Indian Heaven Trail #33, a popular and challenging trail into the…

Campground: Forlorn Lakes

Site Closed
Outdoor Science and Learning Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Picnicking Water Activities
Forlorn Lakes, one of the most popular campgrounds in the southern part of the forest, offers 25 campsites scattered around the wooded shores of small, picturesque lakes. Swimming and fishing are…

Campground: Goose Lake

Site Closed
Outdoor Science and Learning Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Water Activities
Goose Lake is a popular fishing, boating and swimming lake. It is especially good for children. The lake is stocked with fish several times a season. The day use area has parking, picnic tables, a…

Campground: Government Mineral Springs

Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting 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 Closed
Picnicking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting 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 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 May 1st, 2025