Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Washington · National Forest · Pacific Northwest Region
Gifford Pinchot covers 1.3 million acres of southwest Washington, ancient Douglas fir forests, volcanic meadows, pristine mountain lakes, and waterfalls that most visitors never find. Indian Heaven Wilderness has a chain of high alpine lakes surrounded by huckleberry meadows. Trapper Creek Wilderness is one of the quietest old-growth forests in the state. Deep wilderness without a crowd.
- Best season
- June–October
- Permit required
- No
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 75 people
Permit Information
USFS land — no permit or fee required for noncommercial groups under 75 people. Groups of 75+ require a Special Use Permit. Commercial photography may require a separate permit. Encompasses Mt. St. Helens NVM — see that entry for monument-specific rules.
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