Mori Atlas logo
Park geography

Detailed analysis of terrain, regional location, and recorded natural features

Comprehensive Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries of Mount Hood National Forest

This geographic profile details the physical scope of Mount Hood National Forest across Oregon. It encompasses a protected area of 4318.17 square kilometers, featuring complex mountain terrain and various named glaciers, wetlands, and streams. Access structured data on the landscape, including elevations reaching 3429 meters and significant water bodies within the defined boundaries.

A graphic art style illustration showing a snow capped mountain peak in the background with a sun low in the sky; the foreground features a dense evergreen forest and rolling hills.

Oregon's flagship Cascade Range national forest, anchored by the snow-capped stratovolcano that gives it its name.

Mount Hood National Forest

Mount Hood National Forest is a U.S. National Forest in northwestern Oregon, situated east of Portland and the northern Willamette Valley. It is named after Mount Hood, the highest peak in the state and a snow-covered stratovolcano that dominates the skyline above the surrounding forests. The forest stretches southward from the Columbia River Gorge across more than sixty miles of forested mountains, lakes, and streams. It includes alpine terrain, deep river canyons, and old-growth conifer stands, and it borders the Olallie Scenic Area near Mount Jefferson. Together, these landscapes define one of the most-visited national forests in the United States. Beyond its scenery, the forest carries strong recreational, cultural, and conservation significance. Timberline Lodge, historic segments of the Oregon Trail, and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail all fall within its boundaries, while eight designated wilderness areas highlight its ecological importance in the Cascades.

Location
United States of America
Park type
Protected landscape
Established
1908
Area
4,318.2 km²
Highest point
3,429 m
Mount Hood National Forest Geography and Maps
Location overview

Recorded country and regional placement within the United States of America

Mount Hood National Forest Geography and Regional Location Overview

Recorded location memberships place Mount Hood National Forest within the United States of America and Oregon. Administrative records outline regional jurisdiction without transboundary, coastal, or marine status.
Countries
United States of America
Regions
Oregon
Primary location
Oregon
Geographic setting
Inland
Boundary and coordinates

Interactive boundary geometry and derived area measurements

Mount Hood National Forest Boundary Map and Geographic Extent

Spatial mapping outlines the protected perimeter and geographic footprint for spatial context. Derived area measurements and coordinate limits accompany the interactive geometry view.
Pigeon | © OpenStreetMap contributors
Boundary area
4,315.6 km²
Boundary perimeter
1,005.1 km
Northernmost point
45.7076° N
Southernmost point
44.723° N
Easternmost point
121.2271° W
Westernmost point
122.3145° W
Geographic centre
45.2409° N, 121.8369° W
North–south span
109.4 km
East–west span
85.4 km
Mount Hood National Forest
Elevation and terrain

Mountain relief statistics and recorded natural features

Mount Hood National Forest Terrain and Elevation Summary

Examine the recorded elevation summary and mountain relief metrics for Mount Hood National Forest. Individual feature records outline glaciers, ridges, and streams located within the protected boundary.
Highest point
3,429 m

Selected named natural features

Viewpoints

Buck Point

Ridges

Laurel Hill

Streams

Jazz Creek

Peaks

Thunder Rock

1,006 m

Streams

Mill Creek

Streams

Cabin Creek

Environmental setting

Temperate mountain terrain, major water bodies, and year round conditions

Mount Hood National Forest Environmental Setting and Relief Classification

Stored classifications provide complementary perspectives on the physical geography of Mount Hood National Forest without implying uniform terrain. Recorded categories link directly to relevant atlas destinations and broader regional contexts.
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Temperate
Water
Major water bodies
Seasonality
Year-round
Park atlas

Compare regional geography, adjacent mountain reserves, and connected wilderness areas.

Explore Parks Near Mount Hood National Forest and Surrounding Protected Landscapes

Browse nearby national parks and protected areas to compare regional geography across the Cascade Range. Continuing past Mount Hood National Forest reveals adjacent wilderness landscapes and connected mountain terrain.
Wildlife reserveOregon
Park boundaries overlap#1 closest

Northwest

Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness: An Atlas of Basalt Canyons and Cascade Mountain Terrain

Protected rugged wilderness located in Oregon

Spanning from the Columbia River Gorge to the slopes of Mount Hood, the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness preserves an array of forest stands, hanging meadows, and steep ridgelines. The area serves as a critical geographic hub within the Cascade Range, offering detailed insight into the volcanic geology and drainage systems that shape this iconic portion of Oregon.

Area
266.37 km²
Established
1984
IUCN
Ib
Relief
Mountain
Protected landscapeOregon
Park boundaries overlap#2 closest

South

Mount Hood National Recreation Area: Oregon Protected Landscape and Regional Geography

A three-unit recreational forest landscape in the Cascade Range.

Spanning over 34,000 acres, this protected landscape frames the lower volcanic slopes and forested drainages around Mount Hood. The area integrates river corridors, wilderness boundaries, and subalpine terrain, offering a clear view of the complex topography that defines the Cascade Range in northern Oregon.

Area
139.8 km²
Established
2009
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Temperate
A watercolor painting showing a wide, panoramic view of a mountain range in the background, rolling green hills in the midground, and a small cluster of evergreen trees in the foreground against a white background.
Wildlife reserveOregon
Park boundaries overlap#3 closest

West

Mount Hood Wilderness: Atlas of Volcanic Peaks and Glacial Geography in Oregon

High-altitude protected landscapes and forest ecosystems

This protected area captures the dramatic character of the Cascade Range through its signature volcanic terrain, ancient forests, and high-alpine ridges. Covering a vast vertical range, the wilderness offers a study in geologic forces, featuring active glaciers, deep basaltic canyons, and meadows that define the mountain's northern and western slopes.

Area
262 km²
Established
1964
IUCN
Ib
Visitors
10K annual
Wildlife reserveOregon
Mapped location lies within the park boundary#4 closest

Southwest

Roaring River Wilderness: Geography and Protected Area Atlas of Oregon

Ancient forest corridors and alpine lake landscapes

Roaring River Wilderness is a federally protected landscape in Oregon, defined by steep, tree-covered ridges and the vigorous Roaring River. This wilderness preserves a dense mosaic of old-growth conifers, high-elevation alpine lakes like Serene and Shellrock, and important salmon-spawning waters within the broader Mount Hood National Forest geography.

Area
148 km²
Established
2009
IUCN
Ib
Relief
Mountain
Protected landscapeOregon
Park boundaries overlap#5 closest

South

Willamette National Forest: Geography and Protected Landscapes of the Central Oregon Cascades

Mapped terrain, old-growth forests, and protected wilderness boundaries.

Explore the expansive territory of Willamette National Forest, a primary protected area extending over 100 miles along Oregon's Cascade Range. This region features volcanic peaks exceeding 10,000 feet, extensive old-growth Douglas-fir stands, and a dense network of Wild and Scenic rivers, providing a detailed look at the geographic character and ecological heritage of the Pacific Northwest.

Area
6,790.75 km²
Established
1933
Visitors
1.7M annual
Relief
Mountain
A horizontal watercolor illustration featuring a waterfall on the left, a range of rolling mountains in the background, and clusters of trees in the midground, rendered in soft, blended colors.
Protected landscapeWashington
0.5 km away#6 closest

North

Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Geographic Overview of Washington's Volcanic Cascade Protected Lands

Mapping volcanic peaks, deep river canyons, and old-growth wilderness corridors

Gifford Pinchot National Forest represents a major protected expanse in the Washington Cascades, characterized by a complex volcanic topography that includes active craters, cinder cones, and rugged lava fields. This atlas entry details the forest's primary geographic features, from the high-elevation alpine terrain of the Goat Rocks to the river-carved valleys of the Lewis and Cowlitz systems, providing essential context on this integral Pacific Northwest protected landscape.

Area
5,347.95 km²
Established
1908
Visitors
1.8M annual
Relief
Mountain
A watercolor painting showing a soft, stylized landscape of a green forested valley with distant rolling hills.
Wildlife reserveWashington
26 km away#7 closest

North

Indian Heaven Wilderness: Volcanic Plateau Geography and Protected Cascade Landscapes

Volcanic peaks, high-elevation lakes, and expansive meadows in Washington.

Indian Heaven Wilderness encompasses a broad volcanic plateau in the southern Washington Cascades, famous for its dense concentration of lakes, ponds, and volcanic landforms. The area features a complex mosaic of cinder cones, shield volcanoes, and subalpine forests, offering a unique geographic perspective on the Pacific Northwest. Delve into the protected boundaries and mapped terrain of this significant wilderness area.

Area
84.1 km²
Established
1984
Visitors
8K annual
Relief
Mountain
Wildlife reserveOregon
30 km away#8 closest

Southwest

Middle Santiam Wilderness: Geographic Atlas and Protected Landscape Overview of the Oregon Cascades

Old-growth forest basins and volcanic landmarks in the Willamette National Forest.

Middle Santiam Wilderness represents a distinct segment of the central Oregon Cascades. The area is defined by its substantial old-growth coniferous forests, including 450-year-old Douglas-fir and western hemlock stands, alongside the striking 4,965-foot volcanic plug known as Chimney Peak. This map-focused record traces the river-cut valleys and high-ridge topography that shape this protected habitat.

Area
34.57 km²
Established
1984
IUCN
Ib
Relief
Mountain
MoriAtlas Explorer

Explore the Mapped Landscapes and Geography of Mount Hood National Forest

Dive into the geographic profile of Mount Hood National Forest, an essential protected landscape in the Pacific Northwest. Use MoriAtlas to trace its volcanic features, lake basins, and wilderness boundaries across the Oregon Cascades to gain a deeper understanding of this regional terrain.