Gifford Pinchot National Forest, United States

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Located in Lewis County, Washington, Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers a breathtaking escape into the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest. Spanning over 1.3 million acres, this national forest is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.

With its diverse landscapes, Gifford Pinchot National Forest boasts awe-inspiring beauty at every turn. From towering ancient forests to cascading waterfalls, the scenery is nothing short of magical. Hiking trails meander through the forest, leading visitors to hidden gems such as the mesmerizing Panther Creek Falls or the enchanting Ape Cave, a lava tube formed thousands of years ago.

For those seeking even more excitement, Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers a wide range of recreational activities. Fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines in the sparkling waters of the forest's numerous rivers and lakes, while boating enthusiasts can explore the serene waters of Swift Reservoir. The forest also provides ample opportunities for camping, picnicking, and wildlife spotting, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in nature.

One of the highlights of Gifford Pinchot National Forest is Mount St. Helens, an active volcano that famously erupted in 1980. Today, visitors can witness the dramatic aftermath of the eruption by hiking along the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument trails. The Johnston Ridge Observatory offers a unique perspective, providing visitors with panoramic views of the volcano and its surrounding landscape.

In addition to its natural wonders, Gifford Pinchot National Forest is also rich in history. The forest is named after Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the United States Forest Service and a prominent figure in the conservation movement. The forest's visitor centers and interpretive sites provide fascinating insights into the area's cultural and natural heritage.

Alternative names: Area: 2062.01 mi²Visitors per year: 1.8 mil.Elevation: 2608 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 46°10'0"N, 121°51'4"W

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WashingtonUnited States

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Gifford Pinchot National Forest Top Attractions

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Attractions - What to See and Explore

Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Panther Creek Falls, Takhlakh Lake, Silver Star Mountain, Olallie Lake. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Waterfall
Panther Creek Falls
Panther Creek Falls is a 130-foot waterfall on Panther Creek in the Wind River Valley in Skamania County, Washington. The waterfall consists of two drops, with the largest at a height of 102 feet. The waterfall is perennial.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Takhlakh Lake
Takhlakh Lake is a lake situated 7.3 miles northwest of Mount Adams in the U.S. state of Washington. It is fed by a few small unnamed inflow creeks originating near Takh Takh Meadows, tributary to the Cispus River.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Silver Star Mountain
Silver Star Mountain is a recently uplifted ridge of older Western Cascades volcanic rock, underlain by a granitic pluton of similar Western Cascades age, located in the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Olallie Lake
Olallie Lake is an alpine lake and one of several in the area fed by streams coming off the glaciers from nearby Mount Adams. A small, but popular Olallie Lake Campground offers scenic camping as well as non-motorized boating and fishing experiences.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake is a lake situated in the east side of the Midway High Lakes Area below Mount Adams' northwest flank. The lake is popular for camping, quiet boating, and hiking and biking on a trail halfway around the lake.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Midway High Lakes Area
Midway High Lakes Area, also known as High Lakes Area is a United States Forest Service designated area located in Washington’s Cascade Mountains. It lies on a high plateau on Mount Adams' northwestern flank.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Goose Lake
Goose Lake, in the U.S. state of Washington, is located within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Travel to Goose Lake is by dirt road, along Forest Road 60, also called the Carson Guler Road, typically free of snow by late June.
Park
Wind River Arboretum
Wind River Arboretum, part of the Wind River Experimental Forest, is a research arboretum in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Carson, Washington, United States. It is the oldest arboretum in the Pacific Northwest.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Packwood Lake
Packwood Lake is a freshwater lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. It is located near the town of Packwood and is a popular day hiking and overnight camping area.
Nature • Natural attraction • Waterfall
Big Spring Creek Falls
Big Spring Creek Falls is a three-tiered waterfall along Big Spring Creek, originating high on Mount Adams, with a total height of 49 ft. Its main drop is 25 ft feet. It cascades down among a dark forest, surrounded by mosses and ferns.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Indian Heaven
Indian Heaven is a volcanic field in Skamania County in the state of Washington, in the United States. Midway between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, the field dates from the Pleistocene to the early Holocene epoch.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Dog Mountain
Dog Mountain rises above the north side of the Columbia River Gorge in the U.S. state of Washington. The base of the mountain is in Skamania County along Washington State Route 14, about 9 miles east of Stevenson and 53 miles east of Vancouver.
Nature • Natural attraction • Waterfall
Swampy Meadows Falls
Swampy Creek Falls is a scenic, two-tiered horsetail waterfall along an unnamed tributary of the White Salmon River, originating from Swampy Meadows, on Mount Adams west slope, with a total height of 52 ft. Its main drop is about 30 ft feet.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Trout Creek Hill
Trout Creek Hill is a small Pleistocene basaltic shield volcano in Washington, United States. Located in Skamania County, Trout Creek Hill rises to an elevation of 2,946 feet.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Big Lava Bed
The Big Lava Bed, located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in the southwestern area of the State of Washington, originated from a 500-foot-deep crater in the northern center of the bed.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Lone Butte
Lone Butte is a 4,780 foot tuya in the Indian Heaven volcanic field, Washington, United States. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
West Crater
West Crater is a small lava dome with associated lava flows in southern Washington, United States. Located in Skamania County, it rises to an elevation of 4,131 feet, and forms part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc.
Nature • Natural attraction • Forest
Wind River Experimental Forest
The Wind River Experimental Forest is an ecological and silvicultural research in Stabler, Washington, in the United States. Used as a research site by the U.S.
Nature • Natural attraction • Waterfall
Babyshoe Falls
Babyshoe Falls drops 200 feet, with a main drop of 130 feet, in Babyshoe Pass. It is on an intermittent stream that drains a small marsh on the south side of Babyshoe Pass, at an elevation of 4,046 feet.

Day trips

Gifford Pinchot National Forest – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Gifford Pinchot National Forest, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mount Rainier (Mount Rainier National Park), Multnomah Falls (Washougal), Oneonta Gorge (Cascade Locks).

48 milesN
Huge active volcano and hiking destination
Mount Rainier, Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier, an icon of Washington State's landscape, dominates the skyline with its staggering height and majestic presence. This active stratovolcano, standing at an impressive 14,411 feet, is the centerpiece of Mount Rainier National Park and a must-visit...
43 milesS
Scenic natural area with steep falls
Multnomah Falls, Washougal
Nestled in the lush landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Multnomah Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder that draws visitors from around the globe. This majestic waterfall is located in the Columbia River Gorge, just a short drive east of Portland, Oregon, and within...
41 milesS
Natural attraction, Hiking trail, Geologic formation
Oneonta Gorge, Cascade Locks
Nestled in the verdant embrace of the Columbia River Gorge, Oneonta Gorge offers a breathtaking natural spectacle that captivates the hearts of adventurers and nature lovers alike. This hidden chasm, located near Cascade Locks in the United States, is renowned for its...
17 milesE
Natural attraction, Volcano
Mount Adams, Mount Adams Wilderness
Mount Adams, located in the Mount Adams Wilderness in Washington State, stands as a majestic peak in the Cascade Range and is the second-highest mountain in the state. At 12,280 feet, this potentially active stratovolcano offers a challenging climb and breathtaking...
43 milesS
Nature, Natural attraction, Waterfall
Wahkeena Falls, Washougal
Nestled within the lush greenery of the Columbia River Gorge, Wahkeena Falls is a captivating natural wonder in the state of Oregon, near the city of Washougal. This majestic waterfall is a highlight for visitors exploring the scenic area, offering a refreshing respite...