Travel to Oregon
Oregon is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, California, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. It is well known for its tall, dense forests and its accessible, scenic Pacific coastline.
The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon’s northern and eastern boundaries respectively. Salem is the state’s third most populous city and the state capital, with Portland the most populous.
Just twenty miles east of the city of Portland, Oregon, lie the 189,200 acres of designated wilderness known as the Mount Hood National Forest.
This wooded oasis encompasses more than 60 miles of mountains, lakes and streams that attract visitors during every season. They come to enjoy fishing, camping, boating and hiking in the summer; hunting in the fall; and skiing and other snow sports in the winter.
From the strikingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge to the high lake basin of the Olallie scenic area, numerous lodges and campgrounds dot the wilderness, some more remote than others. Those who stay at more primitive camp sites are more likely to see the more elusive creatures that share the forests, including elk, black bears, mountain lions, wolverines, coyotes and foxes.
Towering above the wilderness is the national forest’s striking namesake, the once-active volcano known as Mount Hood. Thousands of climbers from around the world come every year to challenge their skills and conquer this iconic, 11,239-foot mountain.