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
Trailhead: Upper Gotchen Creek (FR 8040)
Trailhead: Whistle Punk
Trailhead: Williams Mine
Trailhead: Wright Meadows
Wicky Shelter